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Diffusion of digital innovation in construction: a case study of a UK engineering firm

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  • Amna Shibeika
  • Chris Harty

Abstract

The UK government is mandating the use of building information modelling (BIM) in large public projects by 2016. As a result, engineering firms are faced with challenges related to embedding new technologies and associated working practices for the digital delivery of major infrastructure projects. Diffusion of innovations theory is used to investigate how digital innovations diffuse across complex firms. A contextualist approach is employed through an in-depth case study of a large, international engineering project-based firm. The analysis of the empirical data, which was collected over a four-year period of close interaction with the firm, reveals parallel paths of diffusion occurring across the firm, where both the innovation and the firm context were continually changing. The diffusion process is traced over three phases: centralization of technology management, standardization of digital working practices, and globalization of digital resources. The findings describe the diffusion of a digital innovation as multiple and partial within a complex social system during times of change and organizational uncertainty, thereby contributing to diffusion of innovations studies in construction by showing a range of activities and dynamics of a non-linear diffusion process.

Suggested Citation

  • Amna Shibeika & Chris Harty, 2015. "Diffusion of digital innovation in construction: a case study of a UK engineering firm," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(5-6), pages 453-466, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:conmgt:v:33:y:2015:i:5-6:p:453-466
    DOI: 10.1080/01446193.2015.1077982
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    Cited by:

    1. Ruwini Edirisinghe & Zelinna Pablo & Chimay Anumba & Saratu Tereno, 2021. "An Actor–Network Approach to Developing a Life Cycle BIM Maturity Model (LCBMM)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-25, November.
    2. Kassem, Mohamd & Ahmed, Ahmed Louay, 2022. "Digital transformation through Building Information Modelling: Spanning the macro-micro divide," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    3. Papachristos, George & Papadonikolaki, Eleni & Morgan, Bethan, 2024. "Projects as a speciation and aggregation mechanism in transitions: Bridging project management and transitions research in the digitalization of UK architecture, engineering, and construction industry," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    4. Volkan Ezcan & Jack Steven Goulding, 2022. "Offsite Sustainability—Disentangling the Rhetoric through Informed Mindset Change," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-27, April.
    5. Shojaei, Reyhaneh S. & Burgess, Gemma, 2022. "Non-technical inhibitors: Exploring the adoption of digital innovation in the UK construction industry," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).

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