The Perceived BIM Implementation Benefits in the Construction Industry: A Cross-Regional Comparative Study Between China and the UK

Despite that there is an increasing trend of BIM adoption in the construction industry globally, the perceived BIM benefits among construction professionals are not fully explored. In addition, majority of extant studies have been conducted in a single region. A cross-regional comparative study between China and the UK was hence conducted to investigate the differences and similarities of perceived BIM implementation benefits in the two countries. A total of nine critical BIM implementation benefits were first identified via an extensive literature review and a pilot study. Then, an online questionnaire survey was administered among the construction professionals in China and the UK. A total of 170 valid responses were collected, with 67 from China and 103 from the UK. Both Mann–Whitney U test and quartile analysis were employed to analyse data. The results show that improved visual management, improved information management, and enhanced planning and scheduling were perceived most significantly differently in the two countries, whereas design optimization was the common critical BIM implementation benefit in both countries. Further analysis reveals that the different level of BIM expertise, the different perceptions on BIM definition, the different degree of governmental and organizational support, and the different construction practices in the two countries were the major factors contributing to such differences. A set of recommended strategies were also provided for achieving successful BIM adoption and implementation in the two construction industries.