The effect of rumors on BIM implementation processes in Saudi architectural engineering (AE)‎ firms

Abstract EN

The construction industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) currently faces significant challenges related to project delays, cost overruns, and insufficient collaboration with project stakeholders, all of which have impeded the government's agenda.

in response, building information modeling (BIM) has recently received considerable attention as an appropriate innovation by a range of stakeholders in KSA.

However, despite BIM's numerous advantages, its full benefits have not yet been realized.

because of this, an extensive body of literature supports the importance of BIM in architectural engineering (AE) firms by focusing on the challenges and benefits of BIM, as well as its success factors.

in spite of this, a study on how rumors may have affected the BIM implementation process is still in its infancy.

for this reason, this paper aims to explore the influential role rumors play related the to the challenges and potential benefits of new technology (i.e., BIM) on the implementation process of such technology in AE firms.

In doing this research, a literature review was conducted across two sets of literature-BIM and rumor studies.

in parallel to this, theories such as cross-profession collaboration theory (Amabile et al.

2001), rumor-spread motivation theory (Bordia and DiFonzo 2005), and "the basic law of rumor theory' (Allport and postman 1947), were also reviewed.

following this, a case study approach was adopted and conducted in two stages.

a pilot study was conducted from which five case studies were selected among leading Saudi AE firms.

data were collected from 42 semi-structured interviews with a range of professionals, and a thematic analysis demonstrated the significant impact that rumors had on the success of BIM implementation.

this is mainly due to three themes: a lack of awareness, an ineffective role of decision-makers, and a lack of client demand.

importantly, these findings support the results of previous studies on a set of key challenges faced in BIM implementation.

in addition, this study contributes to the literature by providing new insights into the effect of rumors on the success of BIM implementation in Saudi AE firms.

moreover, the effect of rumors extended to either delaying or entirely canceling the concept of BIM implementation in some AE firms.

Contrary to expectations, the utility of BIM increased with the COVID-19 crisis.

as a result, more research on the current topic is recommended.