Evolution in the intellectual structure of BIM research: a bibliometric analysis

Abstract

Building Information Modelling (BIM) processes have continued to gain relevance in the Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry with more resources directed toward it. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of 445 BIM articles to investigate and understand the pattern of BIM research which include defining BIM research categories, evaluating the project sectors that are influenced by BIM, and tracking the funding structure of BIM research. A network map that displays a visualization of the structure of BIM literature by research origin, funding structure and geographical scope was designed. None of the previous reviews of literature analyzed the BIM articles’ corpus to such level and depth. The findings revealed research categories such as construction and project management and BIM learning, adoption & practice as the core research areas in BIM and highlighted trending research themes in BIM research. Authors based in Asia and Europe received more research grants than their counterparts in other regions; likewise, two-third of the articles was authored by academics in the United States, Korea, and the United Kingdom. The study provides its readers with relevant research areas that require considerations, and the discussion of selected research areas provides an extensive understanding of salient BIM fields.

Keywords:

• Building Information Modelling (BIM)
• bibliometric analysis
• funding structure
• project sectors
• research areas
• BIM software

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Timothy O. Olawumi

Timothy O. OLAWUMI. He is a full-time PhD research student under the supervision of Dr Daniel Chan at the Department of Building and Real Estate, Faculty of Construction and Environment, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong. His research interest includes Building Information Modelling (BIM), Sustainability Studies, Construction Technology and Project management.

Daniel W. M. Chan

Daniel W. M. CHAN. Dr. He is an Associate Professor at the Department of Building and Real Estate and the Associate Head (Teaching), Faculty of Construction and Environment, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong. His research interests include Construction Time Performance (CTP), Construction Procurement Systems, Relational and Collaborative Contracting, Project Partnering and Strategic Alliancing, Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) and Target Cost Contracting (TCC) Schemes, New Engineering Contract (NEC), Public Private Partnership (PPP), Construction Safety Management. Dr Daniel Chan is also a Member of the Association for Project Management (UK) (MAPM), Member of the Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers (MHKICM), Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (MASCE). He is also a Member of the Hong Kong Institute of Project Management (MHKIPM), Member of the Australian Institute of Project Management (MAIPM), Member of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (MCABE), and Member of the Australian Institute of Building (MAIB).

Johnny K. W. Wong

Johnny K. W. WONG. Dr. He is an Associate Professor at the School of Built Environment, Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia. His research interests include Green and intelligent building, Green BIM (Building Information Modelling), Age-friendly built environments, Culture in the construction industry. Dr Johnny Wong is a qualified member (MRICS) of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (UK).