Benefits and Barriers of Integrating BIM in E-Procurement in Construction Sector

Abstract

The construction industry is currently facing multiple challenges in the shape of reduced efficiency, lower productivity, conflicts, and contractual disputes between concerned stakeholders of a project. The reason lies in the utilization of outdated and conventional methods of executing projects. To overcome these challenges, the current study emphasizes the need for integration and adoption of building information modeling (BIM) in e-procurement. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to highlight the significant benefits and barriers of integrating BIM in e-procurement in the construction industry. Through a comprehensive review of the literature published between the years 2009–2019, the paper first identified benefits and barriers of BIM and e-procurement integration, followed by comprehensive content analyses to rank and screen out the least important benefits and barriers. This helped in quantitative and qualitative investigation questionnaire survey and expert opinions that respectively assisted in utilizing systems thinking approach to establish causality. In total five CLDs are developed, three for benefits and two for barriers. The CLDs consist of benefits and barriers prioritized because of their strength and speed of influence in the system. The results obtained from the analysis indicate that quality enhancement, cost control, and optimized efficiency are the most significant benefits, whereas lack of interoperability, incomplete standards and resistance to change are top barriers in the integration of BIM and e-procurement. The results of the study can be very helpful in decision-making by construction industry professionals. As the conventional procurement practices consume a lot of time and resources, therefore, from the results of this study, the barriers and benefits are indicated in the integration of BIM and e-procurement.