Bim-enabled collaboration and communication in the construction industry: a comparative study of the practices among conmstruction practitioners

Ong, Jun Yuan (2025) Bim-enabled collaboration and communication in the construction industry: a comparative study of the practices among conmstruction practitioners. Final Year Project, UTAR.

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Abstract

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has reshaped the global construction industry, with strong adoption in countries like the UK, Germany, and Singapore. In Malaysia, BIM implementation is growing, especially in high value public projects. However, challenges persist, particularly in stakeholder collaboration and communication. This study aims to compare the practices of various construction practitioners in BIM execution, focusing on how they engage in collaboration and communication. The literature review showed that construction professionals use BIM in different ways, highlighting the critical importance of integrated collaboration and effective communication across disciplines. This study adopts a pragmatist philosophy, emphasising a mixed method approach through a questionnaire comprising both closed-ended and open-ended sections. Data was collected through an online survey, with a total of 137 valid responses from architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, and chartered builders across Malaysia. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests, including Cronbach’s alpha, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman’s correlation. Findings reveal that BIM is most used by quantity surveyors and junior-level practitioners. Collaboration is strongly prioritised by engineers and executive-level professionals, while communication is more common among junior practitioners, especially in design coordination. A moderate-to-strong correlation between collaboration and communication indicates their interdependence. Meetings and discussions were the most frequent BIM-enabled activities, and higher BIM proficiency corresponded with deeper BIM engagement. In conclusion, the study contributes to understanding how BIM is practised among Malaysian construction practitioners, highlighting the need for strategies to enhance collaboration and communication. Future research could explore BIM adoption in SMEs, infrastructure projects, and behavioural factors influencing implementation. Keywords: Building Information Modelling; Collaboration; Communication; Malaysian Construction Industry; BIM Practices Subject Area: TH1-9745 Building construction

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