Investigating the usability and usefulness of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and its effect on Technology Readiness (TR) and Technology Adoption (TA) in the SA construction industry

Ayirebi, Mpumelelo

Investigating the usability and usefulness of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and its effect on Technology Readiness (TR) and Technology Adoption (TA) in the SA construction industry

Thesis / Dissertation

2025

Publisher

University of Cape town

Department

Department of Construction Economics and Management

Faculty

Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment

Abstract

There is limited research that explores how Technology Readiness (TR) and Technology Adoption (TA) are predicted in the attainment of effective project management and collaboration in the South African construction industry. Despite the various documented benefits of Building Information Modelling (BIM), developing countries such as South Africa (SA) have experienced low levels of its adoption in the construction industry. Extant literature indicates that, for example, the lack of understanding of usability and usefulness can lead to inefficient adoption of technologies such as BIM. Further, various barriers, such as financial barriers, lack of motivation for implementation and unawareness of its benefits plague the successful implementation of BIM in SA. This study aims to ascertain the level of BIM Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU), BIM Perceived Usefulness (PU), BIM Technology Readiness (TR) and BIM Technology Adoption (TA) in the context of the South African construction industry. The study also aims to investigate the influence of BIM PEOU and BIM PU on BIM TR and BIM TA. The research adopted a quantitative research approach, employing a survey questionnaire administered to core construction industry professionals, namely Architects, Engineers, Quantity Surveyors, Construction Project Managers and Construction Managers in SA. The study found that BIM is generally deemed to be neither easy nor difficult to use, however some professionals, such as Engineers, find it significantly easier to use in comparison to other professionals, such as Quantity Surveyors. BIM is found to be useful, and in some cases extremely useful. Respondents were found to be generally indifferent regarding their propensity to adopt new technologies such as BIM. Despite this, BIM adoption was viewed positively. BIM PEOU and BIM PU was found to positively influence BIM TR and BIM TA. Further, BIM PU was found to have a stronger, positive influence on BIM TR and BIM TA than BIM PEOU. It is concluded that BIM usability and BIM usefulness are both predictors of BIM TR and BIM TA. The study provides a meaningful contribution to the BIM body of knowledge in the context of the SA construction industry, as it confirms Usability and Usefulness as key drivers to the current and future Technology Readiness and Technology Adoption levels. This is useful to determine how to improve on the low levels of BIM adoption in SA. The study recommends further research to be done towards specific case studies in SA, extending the research approach towards a mixed methods study to collect more qualitative data. It also recommends extending the study to non-core construction industry professionals and contractors, to provide a deeper understanding of the influence of BIM PEOU and BIM PU on BIM TR and BIM TA.

Keywords

Project Management

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