Building Information Modeling in the Norwegian Construction Industry: A Comparison of Different Contractual Models

Abstract

The adoption of building information modeling (BIM) among construction firms, can contribute to resolving many of the issues inherent in today's construction industry. However, despite a proliferation in BIM adoption across the Norwegian construction industry, these issues remain. We suggest that this can partly be explained by the delivery models that govern construction projects. This master thesis builds on transaction cost economics, and aims to extend previous literature on how contractual models can act as boundary conditions for effective use of BIM. Seven propositions were developed on the basis of case study evidence from eight construction projects in Norway. Findings suggest a relationship between different contractual models and effective use of BIM. The strength of this relationship was also found to depend on a set of conditional factors. Novel contributions are: first, to identify characteristics of BIM exchange; second, to offer some insights on the contextual appropriateness of different delivery models in governing BIM exchange; and third, to explain how different contractual models can play a complementary role in governing the exchange of information in BIM. The study offers practical implications for project owners seeking effective use of BIM. Most notably, project owners should be aware of the opportunities and challenges of the different contractual models with regards to BIM. They should also pay attention to the contextual factors that may influence the relative effectiveness of the different contractual models.