The information exchange in the construction sector in the age of BIM: A multiple case study from Italy

Abstract

In recent years, due to the request of public clients, Building Information Modelling (BIM) projects are more vastly deployed in construction sector. Furthermore, BIM seems to be the digital methodology with the potential of enhancing the productivity in the construction sector. However, due to the large number of actors involved in a project, the internal information flow of the same actors and the information flow among the stakeholders need to be refined. This article, therefore, by focusing on the Italian contractors' perspective aims to examine the contractors' internal information flow and the information exchange with the stakeholders. 13 interviews were conducted with several individuals in 3 Italian construction contractors. The informants were selected from different levels of the enterprises, spanning from the owners to the foremen. Combined with site visits, these interviews provide an insight of the contractors' internal information flow and an overview of the information exchange among the contractors and their stakeholders. The article highlights the current criticalities in the information exchange between the contractors and other actors of the projects. Furthermore, the study points out the opportunities of the digitalisation of the internal and external information flow that could improve the information exchange and the productivity in the Italian construction sector.