Bridging Digital and Sustainable Transformation: Implementation Challenges in BIM Adoption to Enable Circular Economy: A Socio-technical and Work-Integrated Learning Perspective from the Swedish Construction Sector
2025 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
This thesis investigates the individual, collaborative, and organizational factors influence the adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) to support Circular Economy (CE) practices in Swedish construction organizations. Despite Sweden’s sustainability commitments, the sector largely operates in a linear economic model, marked by resource exploitation and high waste. BIM has the potential to promote CE principles but faces adoption challenges.
Using an integrated theoretical framework combining the Technology Acceptance Model 3 (TAM3), Carlile’s Knowledge Boundaries Framework, and Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), this study explores these challenges. Semi-structured interviews with eight professionals from Swedish construction organizations reveal key barriers at three levels: individual, collaborative, and organizational. Psychological factors, such as computer anxiety and perceived complexity, limit BIM adoption. Collaborative challenges include semantic and pragmatic knowledge boundaries, where professionals interpret and apply BIM information differently. Organizational barriers are characterized by fragmented learning opportunities and inconsistent support.
The analysis highlights WIL as a solution, providing structured, context-specific learning that bridges psychological, semantic, and pragmatic barriers. The findings offer practical insights for Swedish construction organizations, policymakers, and educators aiming to enhance BIM adoption for CE.
This research contributes to the field by offering a multi-dimensional understanding of BIM adoption, integrating technical, collaborative, and organizational perspectives through a unique theoretical framework.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2025. , p. 77
Keywords [en]
Building Information Modeling (BIM), Circular Economy (CE), Technology Acceptance Model (TAM3), Knowledge Boundaries, Work-Integrated Learning (WIL)
National Category
Pedagogy Other Civil Engineering
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hv:diva-24086Local ID: MAL900OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hv-24086DiVA, id: diva2:1993659
Subject / course
Sustainable developement
Educational program
Work-integrated sustainable development, Master Programme
Supervisors
Examiners
2025-09-032025-09-012025-09-30Bibliographically approved