Innovation communities as catalysts for BIM adoption: a cross-case analysis of BIM communities in Norway and Vietnam

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how open innovation communities contribute to the adoption of building information modelling (BIM) in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a cross-case analysis of two construction communities, buildingSMART Norway and the BIM Vietnam Community. Data were collected based on 21 semi-structured interviews conducted with industry experts actively engaged in these two communities. The theoretical basis for the study was open innovation and the institutional intervention model, which delineates institutional actions related to the adoption of new information technology.

Findings

The findings show both similarities and differences in the way in which the communities contribute to industrial practice. Both communities use similar knowledge channels and repositories but apply different approaches to innovation creation and diffusion. In addition, trust can support BIM innovation in the community context.

Originality/value

The comparison of buildingSMART Norway and the BIM Vietnam Community in accelerating BIM innovation allows for exploring how open innovation communities support BIM adoption in the construction industry. The findings provide insights for construction communities into creating and diffusing BIM innovation. In addition, the examples of gaining benefits from community innovation activities are useful for construction firms and practitioners.

Citation

Bui, N., Merschbrock, C. and Munkvold, B.E. (2024), "Innovation communities as catalysts for BIM adoption: a cross-case analysis of BIM communities in Norway and Vietnam", Construction Innovation, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-07-2022-0167