Developing a Process Model of Building Information Modelling Localization

Abstract

The adoption of building information modelling (BIM) in local organizations involves benchmarking and adapting BIM practices developed in global leading countries. The local adaptation, referred to as BIM localization in this study, is vital to achieving the “fit” between global BIM practices and local adoption contexts characterized by specific physical, regulation, and cultural conditions. Yet, it is unclear how BIM localization can be carried out in real-life practices, hindering local organizations to effectively use BIM and attain its inscribed benefits. This paper aims to develop a process model of BIM localization to by characterizing the patterns and mechanisms driving the localization process. It does so through an inductive case study to investigate the localization practice of a Hong Kong quantity surveying firm, which adapted successful BIM adoption experience from the U.S., U.K., and Singapore to its own concerns. Inferring from the case study, the paper proposes an iterative BIM localization process model considering the technical, process, and guideline dimensions of BIM adoption. The study has both academic merits and industry implications. The paper highlights the importance of localization to successful BIM adoption; still, localization should be based on thoughtful understanding of the BIM practice and local adoption context. For practitioners, the paper suggests to properly manage the localization process and carefully balance the localization efforts of different BIM dimensions.