Users-orientated evaluation of building information model in the Chinese construction industry

In the last decade, building information modelling (BIM) has emerged as one of the most powerful dynamic decision-making tools throughout a project lifecycle, as its encapsulated information synchronises with construction practices. Many reports indicate that BIM has entered the mainstream use in some countries. However, BIM has experienced slow and limited spread adoption in other countries. We propose a comprehensive research model to examine the factors that influence the adoption of BIM. The model draws on technology acceptance model and innovation diffusion theory and is validated using survey data from the construction industry in China. The findings demonstrate that attitude, technological, and organisational dimensions indirectly affect the actual use of BIM through perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU), with PU and PEU being the primary determinants of BIM adoption. Furthermore, a striking finding was the positive influence of the attitude dimension on the actual use of BIM. [Display omitted] •BIM use is prevailing in a few countries, while in others it is slow and difficult.•An integrated TAM-IDT model is developed to explore the hurdle to further use of BIM.•The model was validated using empirical data from the construction industry in China.•The eleven items of three dimensions indirectly affect BIM use through PU and PEU.•The key to a wider adoption of BIM is the transformation of the concepts of users.