Master of Business Administration:

UNESCO Chair in Interculturality, Good Governance and Sustainable

Development

Business models induced by Building Information Modeling (BIM)

technology: Challenges and competitive advantages

Supervisor: Prof. Costin Lianu

Student: Anca-Iulia Ardeleanu

BUCHAREST
JUNE 2022

Table of contents
 1. Introduction
1.1. Definitions and purposes
1.2. BIM like an innovation dynamic capability (history and perspectives)
2. Literature review
2.1. Context
2.2. Dynamic capabilities – BIM overview
2.3. Business models generated by BIM
2.4. The impact of BIM in the construction industry
2.5. Strengths and limitations
3. Research methodology
3.1. The typology of the problem
3.1.1. Actors involved
3.2. Source location of data collection
3.3. Data collection strategy
3.4. Survey-Core Questions
3.5. Qualitative interview
3.6. Practical issues conclusion
4. Study case : The role and advantages of clustering
4.1. Research Analysis
4.2. Data analysis
4.3. Research outcomes and interpretation

5. Conclusion
5.1. Theoretical reflection
5.2. Limitations and future research
5.3. Conclusion
6. References and annexes

ABSTRACT
 There are a number of studies at European and even global level that have noted that
acknowledged that employing BIM in the built environment companies has delivered remarkable
benefits such as superior visualization, precise documentation, integrated design, construction
and project management processes. Unfortunately, these studies do not exist at national level
(Romania). This thesis was born from the desire to emphasize the importance of awareness of the
benefits brought by BIM, as well as a series of duties identified for its implementation in a report
as large as possible at the national level. In Romania, the AEC industry (Architecture,
Engineering and Construction) enterprises involved are still lagging behind in embracing BIM
into core practices of their projects. This event are exacerbated when we talk about SMEs
(Small and Medium Sized Enterprises) where higher levels of BIM implementation need to be
scrutinized. The evidence of how these SMEs perceive the role of BIM management, and to
some extent, they apply this process in their projects, is the main obstacle in the innovation
process. The limited financial and human resources of these SMEs make it difficult to keep up
with such BIM adoption processes. Therefore, to address these challenges, this paper is to shed
light on the potentials of applying the business strategy in the construction industry and adapting
its conceptual model for managing BIM implementation in construction SMEs. Another very
important issue to be addressed is the role of clusters in the BIM implementation process, all the
more so as the implementation process is in its infancy in emerging Eastern European countries
and Romania. Given that studies conducted at the national level have revealed a low awareness
and knowledge of BIM, the role of clusters is a defining one for a better awareness of the
benefits of BIM.

The study contributes to the field by providing succinct Information on BIM implementation
and its adoption in AEC SMEs, but also about the role that clusters play at the beginning of this
journey. Contributes alsi to the body of knowledge through positioning BIM management
platform in a rather overlooked context namely SMEs. Practically, policy makers and
stakeholders would also benefit from the findings in order to promote BIM adoption.

1. Introduction
 From the point of view of professionals working in the AEC industry, Building
Information Modelling (BIM) is one of the biggest current innovation initiative contemplated to
overcome problems such as low productivity within the AEC (Architecture, Engineering and
Construction) industry. Still insufficiently debated nationally and at the same time, there are a
number of different approaches towards its definitions and interpretations thus creating a lack of
consensus on what the term BIM actually signifies.
These range from technology to methodology and process-oriented approaches.
Therefore, BIM implementation entails a set of activities that allow for the introduction of
transformative concepts and tools into an organization.
A topic of such relevance and in such a context, lacking a detailed debate, I found it to be
of particular importance for the debate of this thesis.
Beyond being probably the biggest innovation in the AEC digitization industry, we
should take into account that the successful implementation of BIM can engender increased
productivity between all involved companies and is therefore beneficial to the entires companies
involved in this process. Despite the variety of benefits and competitive advantages that BIM can
provide at its full potential we could say that the companies in the AEC industry in Romania are
not yet aware of this added value. I considered this a consequence of the perceived difficulties
associated with BIM implementation at the organizational level.
The managers was not able to were unable to identify a comprehensive strategy to
maximize the benefits of BIM implementation, though BIM uptake is principally concerned with
market competitiveness.
There are a variety of costs that are involved in BIM implementation and a substantial
amount is typically spent on overcoming associated implementation difficulties. These costs
should be foreseen and included in an implementation plan in order not to encounter major
difficulties after the start of implementation. An organization may adopt BIM tools and concepts
however due to these difficulties, may not be able to fully realize their benefits, thereby resulting
in a wastage of investment and a return to more traditional approaches.
To avoid such unforeseen costs, specialized clusters welcome companies in the field with
a well-designed implementation plan adapted to the needs of each company and relevant
experience in implementing BIM. There are a number of influential variables that can change
throughout the implementation of BIM, which is proving to be a dynamic and challenging
process, especially for SMEs.
Although BIM is not recently discovered, research on the dynamics of the changing
environment and the appropriate capacity of AEC organizations to influence and manage the
adoption and implementation of BIM are still very few and not sufficiently debated. Clarity on
BIM adoption is further hampered by the existence of a lack of explicit BIM implementation
guidelines. To this end, a BIM implementation framework has been developed to provide a
broader conceptual basis underlying the overall implementation process. This will enable AEC
organizations to better adopt and implement more efficient change management processes and
practices. The major factors for the successful implementation of BIM are identified through a
synthesis of the existing literature on BIM, innovation management and Information technology
systems.
Lower BIM adoption is deemed as a challenge in small and medium businesses, while
studies on BIM adoption are mostly concentrated on large-sized companies and largescale
projects. Therefore, effective methods for better adoption of BIM in SMEs, are still poorly
represented in the existing literature. Despite that such scant attention devoted to BIM in SMEs,
this area is of outmost importance for the construction industry in view of the fact that smaller
firms will continue to dominate the construction industry landscape far into the future.
Progressively, AEC sectors have realized how important and productive it is to implement BIM
and its managerial packages. Developing the best and error-free design is what attracts customers
and brings in new business. Even so, in the meanwhile, we cannot efficiently deliver the design
and construction projects without solid BIM processes in place. In fact, if valuable employees of
the design teams were solely devoted to managing BIM, fewer human resources would be left to
apply in the project. On the other hand, if fundamental elements of BIM workflows such as BIM
templates and guidelines or deployment of key software updates gets ignored, the team will be
determined from working quickly and professionally.
This problem is certainly intensified where SMEs are to implement BIM in their digital design
and construction workflows. The limited financial and human resources of these SMEs, the lack
of a government support program, and the reluctance of mature companies to innovate make it
difficult to keep up with such a BIM adoption process. Therefore, new business strategies should
be analyzed and applied in order to facilitate BIM implementation activities in the meantime of
minimizing the costs incurred and providing improved HCI experience for AEC experts. One of
the solutions could be developing an online and outsourced BIM management based on MSP can
enable these firms to focus on their core businesses while benefiting from the senior talents,
which offer immediate access to BIM industry best practices. Through this achievement, the
whole built environment industry can benefit from BIM adoption and application in a more
efficient and easier integration. However, in Romania was no detailed research hitherto has been
conducted on positioning BIM management for AEC SMEs.
The paper aims to analyze as accurately as possible in terms of the adoption of BIM in
SMEs and to define a starting point at this time in order to come up later with proposals to
improve its implementation and accelerate it. The fact that we have an overview of the
willingness to adopt and the perception of the implementation of BIM at the national level,
allows us to draw some lines later in order to improve this process. The promotion of specialized
clusters at national level is one of the suggestions addressed in this thesis.
Being a complex subject and with an approach oriented towards the technical side, we
decided to approach this paper by conducting a survey based strictly on the actors involved in the
AEC industry with a complex diversification of them. Subsequently, for a better interpretation of
the results. I conducted a series of individual interviews, addressed on each branch of the AEC
industry in order to identify the problems and limitations that appeared on each branch.

1.1. Definitions and purposes : BIM technology

The BIM concept is not new. Indeed, research papers concerning the creation and
employment of virtual building models were first revealed within the Seventies. But the term
Building Information Modelling was used for the primary time in 1992 by the analyzers van
Nederveen and Tolman. However, the widespread dissemination of the term was initiated by the
computer code company Autodesk that used it for the first time in an highly important report
revealed in 20031.

1
Practices and effectiveness of building information modelling in construction projects in China Dongping Cao,
Guangbin Wang, Heng Li, Martin Skitmore, Ting Huang, Weiyu Zhang
 In recent years, the BIM phenomenon has spread worldwide and an oversized vary of
software product with powerful BIM functionalities are published by many alternative vendors,
and also the thought which originated in educational research has currently become established
trade practice. The foremost obvious feature of a Building Information Model is the three-
dimensional geometry of the facility under design or construction, which provides the basis for
performing clash detection and for deriving consistent horizontal and vertical sections. It's
important to note, however, that 3D pure mathematics on its own isn't sufficient to supply a
extremely capable digital illustration. One in all the main characteristics of a Building data
Model is its capability to convey semantics. This implies that every one its objects possess a
meaning, i.e. they're instances of object types such as a Wall, Column, Window, Door and so
on. These objects mix a parametrized 3D geometry representation with further descriptive
properties and their relationships to alternative components within the model.
The definition of Building Information Modeling conception depends on the
understanding of each researcher. BIM is not a software as many people in the construction
industry think. The BIM definition is in the form of using three-dimensional (3D) data in the
process of producing and managing building data during its lifecycle, with appropriate building
Information software to improve productivity in building design and construction, but also to
help manage it throughout its life. There are many aspects of BIM that reassembling building
geometry, spatial relationships, geographic information, quantities and properties of building
parts who also are created from the process consistent. For this reason BIM may be a digital
format to organize the appropriate building style and project knowledge throughout the
building’s life cycle. It will be all over that BIM may be a method to provide the digital data
models (3D) with their relevant computer code in enhancing communication and interaction
throughout the stakeholders. There are several definitions and explanations for Building
Information Modelling are introduced. However, BIM is a process and not a software.
However, once BIM is introduced at a project, organizational or national level, there's
often an absence of clarity and customary understanding of wherever to start, what to do and
what defines a BIM project versus a traditional project.
Despite a typical definition, we frequently observe that BIM means, as a global level,
that several things to completely different people. There's no single international standard or
definition of the activities that ought to be procured and performed on a project for it to be
thought of a BIM project. Fairly often we have a tendency to encounter the read that BIM is
software, a 3D model or a system. This inconsistency causes confusion and divergence for public
procurers and personal sector suppliers, resulting in barriers for in implementation and this
induces an even greater confusion in the its interpretation at the level of Romania The following
characteristics of a Common EU performance level describe the activities that should be
consistently performed on a project for it to be considered an EU BIM project. They should be
seen as minimum criteria for procuring and delivering construction projects in a consistent way
across Europe. This is intended to be a stretch target, but one that is realistic for all European
countries at the same time. The characteristics are closely aligned with existing and rising
international and European standards. The Common EU performance level was designedly
designed to not need any changes to legal frameworks or rules in any of the member states.
The suggested activities may be performed beneath any procurance strategy or type or
contract. A number of the recommendations are specifically developed to support growth of
SMEs; and to confirm open, truthful and competitive markets across the skilled service suppliers,
trades and technology providers of all scales. The recommendations shield against over-specified
necessities that may incur further prices and introduce waste to the method. The characteristics
cover four core definition areas, while BIM was described for the literature review as a new
methodology for building design and documentation that provides faster and easier construction
process for all involved parties. Similarly, BIM was defined as a methodology but for managing
the digital format of design and project data during the building lifecycle.
BIM was defined not only as a technology that allows the building digital and virtual
models to support design process phases by the accurate geometry and data.
This not only will support the fabrication, procurement and construction phases but also
will be used for other phases and activities of the building lifecycle. Thus, BIM will facilitate a
type of integrated style and method that marks higher quality and reduces prices and time of the
project. Furthermore, in 2007 the North American nation National Building Information
Modeling customary (NBIMS) outlined BIM as “BIM may be a digital illustration of physical
and practical characteristics of a facility. Expressed BIM as a pattern among Atomic Energy
Commission within which it can boost integration of all stakeholders on a project2.

2
BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Designers, Engineers, Contractors and
Facility Management; By Rafael Sacks, Chuck Eastman, Ghang Lee, Paul Teicholz
 A Building Information Model is a comprehensive digital representation of a engineered
facility with nice Information depth. It usually includes the three-dimensional pure mathematics
of the building elements at an outlined level of detail. In addition, it also contains non-physical
objects, cherish areas and zones, a gradable project structure, or schedules. Objects are typically
related to a well-defined set of linguistics Information, such because the element type, materials,
technical properties, or costs, likewise as the relationships between the components and different
physical or logical entities.
The term Building Information Modeling (BIM) consequently describes both the process
of creating such digital building models as well as the process of maintaining, using and
exchanging them throughout the entire lifetime of the built facility.
National Institute of Building Science (NIBS) defines Building Information Modeling
(BIM) as a digital representation of physical and functional characteristic of a facility.3 Since
2007 Building Information Modeling (BIM) has become the essential methodology including the
digitalization of the built environment supply chain. BIM is a digital representation of the
physical and functional characteristics of a building and serves as a knowledge-sharing vehicle
for building Information. Incentives and use related to BIM are increasing over the past few
years and received considerable first of all for the improvement of the quality of the projects but
also for its ability to reduce prices and lead times. BIM has gone from being stupid to being the
centerpiece of AEC technology.
Although BIM is widely applied and comes under construction with a number of
significant process improvements, it is still not a common practice throughout the industry. With
BIM, design and construction projects are more economical in terms of value reduction, quality
improvement, time schedule and a stronger work flow between project participants. In addition,
at the global level, project buildings owners have started realizing different edges account from
BIM as a piece method, such: as scale back claims, enabling easier calculations and
visualizations for promotional functions and easy cross-disciplinary collaboration.

3
An Overview of the Necessities, Challenges & Outcomes of Building Information Modeling (BIM) Framework
Used in Project Management; Shahid Iqbal, Muhammad Saad, Masab Bin–Shahid, Wajeeha Batoo
 1.2. BIM as an innovation dynamic capability (history and
perspectives)

In the past few years, Building Information Modeling (BIM) has emerged as a
comprehensive construct of method and tools, that integrates all comes, needed Information and
Information. BIM supports new Information workflows and integrates them a lot of closely with
existing simulation and analysis tools utilized by consultants and contractors. It provides higher
levels of user experience, higher interaction with designers and drafters and bigger HCI
compared to noncurrent CAD. Since most processes in BIM are automated, and therefore the
involvement of human resources is minimized, it's claimed that by improving the implementation
of BIM, the potency of monitoring, dominant and managing in construction projects life cycle is
increased remarkably. But, despite the proven benefits in developed countries in Europe and
beyond, of the implementation of BIM, in emerging countries in general and in the case of
Romania in particular, to which this thesis refers, the trend of BIM implementation at national
level is well below target, despite the potential in AEC SMEs.
The rationale for this situation would possibly be the silence of literature on the studies
toward, the analysis and development on BIM management platforms in the Architecture,
Engineering and Construction (AEC) SMEs and developing enhanced HCI for executive agency
users.The delayed emergence of clusters in the targeted area is also a clause of the delayed
evolution of BIM implementation in emerging countries, the role of these clusters being to
amplify the value of the benefits brought by BIM and to help raise their awareness to a greater
extent.
The building trade is under pressure to improve value for money, property style and
construction, etcetera and this has propelled the adoption of Building Information Modeling
(BIM) technology, that transforms the paradigm of the development industry from primarily
based on 2D drawing Information systems to 3D object based Information systems. It changes
the bottom documentation utilized in building design and construction to a brand new
representations, which are computer code for automation as human readable for manual
conducts. Therefore, BIM adoption is turning into an progressively vital matter for the
construction industry, a undeniable fact that even SMEs in emerging countries become aware of,
as is that the case in Romania, that has been facing barriers and challenges to extend
productivity, efficiency, quality and for property development.
On the opposite hand, there are variety of challenges within the implementation of BIM
in emerging countries, challenges that create their presence absolutely felt in Romanian SMEs as
well, such as:
• Overcoming the resilience to the implementation of new technology and the crucial
change in employee awareness of the potential and value of BIM compared to CAD or old
technology.
• Coaching staff employees in BIM, finding employees who perceive and accept the work
in BIM or outsourcing BIM management to companies specializing in employees coaching if
necessary
• Adapting existing workflows to lean familiarized methods.
• The understanding of the specified high-end hardware resources and networking
facilities to run BIM applications and tools expeditiously
• The specified collaboration, integration and ability between the structural and therefore
the MEP designers/engineers
• Clear understanding of the responsibilities of various stakeholders within the new
process by construction lawyers and insurers.
Therefore, the effective implementation of BIM requires important changes in the
approach that AEC companies have at this time, at every level of the construction process. That
is, it requires not only learning new software applications, but also how to reinvent the workflow,
how to train staff and assign responsibilities and change the way construction is modeled.
Thus, it seems that the industry may gain advantage from a transparent set of tips
outlining an efficient strategy and methodology of implementing BIM at the structure level.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is one of the most promising innovations from the
AEC industry. BIM adoption is incredibly convenient for the foretelling of building performance
and operation.
In a study conducted in 1997 by Erich Mendelsohn it had been established that quite 75%
of the difficulties at the construction site are directly/indirectly because of the issues within the
design, that are emphasised by execution team of the projects. These design flaws cause the
rework.
 For a stronger transparency and a fluidization of the project course, in the next few years
BIM should be obligatory for all the contractors to realize new government contracts. BIM will
be used as an automobile for the communication between project stakeholders in a very project
atmosphere as Project management body of Information provides communication a good
importance. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is one of the most promising developments in
the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries. With BIM technology, one or
more accurate virtual models of a building are constructed digitally. They support design through
its phases, allowing better analysis and control than manual processes. When completed, these
computer-generated models contain precise geometry and data needed to support the
construction, fabrication, and procurement activities through which the building is realized.
BIM also accommodates many of the functions needed to model the lifecycle of a
building, providing the basis for new design and construction capabilities and changes in the
roles and relationships among a project team. When adopted well, BIM facilitates a more
integrated design and construction process that results in better quality buildings at lower cost
and reduced project duration.4

2. Literature review

In 1970, first time concept of BIM is used by Chuck Eastman and Robert Aish. In the
earlier times, BIM was known by different names like virtual building, intelligent object and
product model. BIM is getting great attention of architects and project managers as BIM can be
used for the planning, execution and operations for the project. In a nutshell BIM is not just
software but a process.5
In 1995, for the first time the term 4D was used within the specialized literature, but withouth
being defined in the expertise, it was just discusses as a subject and does not detailed and further
define. The necessary data that a client would need to order such a 4D CAD model have not been
described. Obviously, such a concept takes time from the research stage to its use in the
4
BIM Handbook - A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers, and
Contractors Second Edition; Chuck Eastman, Paul Teicholz, Rafael Sacks, Kathleen Liston
5
Virtual Generative BIM Workspace for Maximising AEC Conceptual Design Innovation: A Paradigm of Future
Opportunities: Sepehr Abrishami, Jack Goulding, Farzad Pour Rahimian, Abdul Ganah
commercial market. Module 4D is described as a cost estimation function and 5D as a
construction planning /coordination. Pramod Reddy discussed 4D in 2011 with the clear
background of increasing the informational content of digitally planned buildings and facilities,
in order to simulate them in different states, alternatives, and options over time and, if necessary
store the corresponding expenses.
However, he also points out that it is necessary to keep them all data relevant to the customer
in the model to allow further processing of the database, lean methods or other services related to
the manufacturer. 5D refers to the link to the calculation, in addition, "nD" refers to any links of
other views to the virtual building model.
In 2012, the Finnish Senate introduced the Common National BIM Requirements for
Building Information Modeling, followed by procurement procedures that are mandatory for the
continuation of construction activity in Finland. What is particularly commendable is that they
have already established the first basic requirements for BIM models and databases in 2012 -
somewhat rudimentary due to technical conditions, however visionary and before the
technological development at that time. Finland (2012) and Norway (2013) was the first in the
world to introduce common BIM standards, including legal framework, at national level.
Countries like the United Kingdom, Netherlands and Italy followed a few years later; of the
European countries that were France, Germany and Spain are relatively late in establishing such
a framework. In Norway, 4D and already 5D (base and cost analysis details) have been defined
differently. What should be mentioned positively is that they already assign and define the
allocations, competencies and responsibilities to individual roles; In addition, many coordination
rules and requirements are defined for verification through automated rules programs,
unfortunately not the appropriate ones data and data fields.6

2.1. Context

In the lаst decаde, digitаlizаtion hаs trаnsformed а wide rаnge of industriаl sectors, resulting
in а tremendous increаse in productivity, product quаlity аnd product vаriety. In the Аrchitecture,
Engineering, Construction (АEC) industry. So digitаl tools аre increаsingly аdopted for
designing, constructing аnd operаting buildings аnd infrаstructure аssets.
6
International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET) Volume 11, Issue 4, April 2020, pp. 134-151,
 However, the technology in the construction industry and the digitization of processes and
information throughout the process chain are significantly behind other industries nationwide.
There are many cases in which either valuable information is lost because the information is still
taught predominantly in the form of drawings, in the form of physical diagrams printed on paper,
or in a digital format, but limited or very large economic and financial resources are lost. time to
fix errors that have occurred since the design stage, errors that can be removed much more easily
by using BIM. Such interruptions or errors in the flow of information occur throughout the life
cycle of the construction of a building: in the phases of its design, construction and operation, as
well as in the very important takeovers between these phases. Planning and building facilities is a
complex undertaking involving a wide range of stakeholders from different fields of expertise. A
successful construction project requires continuous reconciliation and an intense exchange of
information between these stakeholders. At present, this usually involves handing over the
technical drawings of the construction project graphically in the form of horizontal and vertical
sections, views and detailed drawings. The software used to create these drawings mimics the
centuries-old way of working using a drawing board. The Informаtion they contаin cаn only be
pаrtiаlly interpreted аnd processed by computаtionаl methods. Bаsing the informаtion flow on
drаwings аlone therefore fаils to hаrness the greаt potentiаl of Informаtion technology for
supporting project mаnаgement аnd building operаtion.
One of the main problems in the case of classic design is that the consistency of different
technical drawings can only be checked manually. This can lead to a number of errors, especially
if you consider that designs are typically created by experts in various design disciplines and
from several companies. The connection between the project participants is particularly
challenging even if they are continuously tracked and all related plans transmitted,
inconsistencies can easily occur and often remain undiscovered until the actual construction.
This error is consuming both financial resources and time. In conventional practice, design
changes are marked only by revision clouds in the drawings, which can be difficult to detect and
ambiguous. The limited depth of information in the technical drawings also has a significant
disadvantage in terms of information about the design of the building. They cannot be used
directly by downstream applications for any necessary analysis, calculation and simulation and
can thus generate another source of error.
 The same goes for handing over the information to the building owner after the construction
is completed. He must make a considerable effort to extract the information necessary for the
operation of the building from drawings and documents and to introduce it into a facility
management system. At each of these information exchange points, data that was once available
in digital form may be lost and must be laboriously recreated. This is where building information
modeling comes in.
By applying the BIM method, a much deeper use of information technology is achieved in
the design, engineering, construction and operation of built facilities. Instead of recording
Information in drawings, BIM stores, maintains, and exchanges Information using
comprehensive digital representations: Building Information models. This approach significantly
improves the coordination of design activities, the integration of simulations, the configuration
and control of the construction process, as well as the delivery of building information to the
operator. By minimizing the manual reintroduction of data and allowing the subsequent reuse of
digital information, laborious and error-prone work is avoided, which in turn results in increased
productivity and quality of construction projects. This is another aspect of efficiency and cost
reduction generated by BIM, too little taken into account in the implementation process.
However, the Engineering and Construction (EC) industry has its own particularly
challenging boundary conditions: first, the process and value chain is not controlled by a single
company, but is dispersed in a large number of enterprises. , including offices, businesses.
engineering consultants and construction companies. They usually cooperate only during an
individual construction project and not for a longer period of time. As a result, there are a large
number of interfaces in the ad hoc network of companies where Digital Information needs to be
delivered. As these information flows must be supervised and controlled by a central court, it is
the responsibility of the building owner to specify and enforce the use of Building Information
Modeling.
BIM provides а significant number of аdvаntаges for the design аnd engineering process.
Compаred to conventionаl 2D processes, one of the most significаnt аdvаntаges of using BIM is
thаt most of the technicаl drаwings, such as horizontаl and verticаl sections, are derived directly
from the model аnd аre thus аutomаticаlly consistent with eаch other. Clаsh detection between
the different pаrtiаl models mаkes it possible to identify аnd resolve conflicts between the design
disciplines аt аn eаrly stаge. BIM аlso fаcilitаtes the integrаtion of computаtions аnd simulаtions
in а seаmless wаy, аs а lot of input Informаtion аbout the building’s geometry аnd mаteriаl
pаrаmeters cаn be tаken directly from the model. А wide rаnge of simulаtions, including
structurаl аnаlysis, building performаnce simulаtion, evаcuаtion simulаtion, or lightning
аnаlysis, аre then usаble in the design process. In аddition, the model cаn be checked for
compliаnce with codes аnd regulаtions; currently mostly semi-аutomаted, but in future with а
higher degree of аutomаtion. Finаlly, the model dаtа cаn be used to compute а very precise
quаntity tаke-off, providing the bаsis for reliаble cost estimаtions аnd improving аccurаcy in the
tendering аnd bidding process.
Аpplying BIM in the plаnning process results in shifting the design effort to eаrlier
phаses. In conventionаl plаnning processes, the mаin design аnd engineering effort occurs in the
lаter detаiled design phаses, sometimes even during the аctuаl construction phаse. Аs а result,
the detаiled coordinаtion of design disciplines, the integrаtion of аnаlysis аnd simulаtion tools
аnd consequently а comprehensive аssessment of the building design only occurs аt а relаtively
lаte point in the overаll process. Аt this point, however, the possibilities for design chаnges аre
more limited аnd аlso more costly to implement. Building Informаtion modelling (BIM) seeks to
integrаte processes throughout the entire lifecycle. There is some evidence to suggest thаt the
аrchitecturаl profession is beginning to come under pressure to аdopt BIM. Аlthough BIM hаs
existed for over 20 yeаrs, it is only over the lаst few yeаrs thаt building owners аre becoming
аwаre thаt BIM promises to mаke the design, construction аnd operаtion of buildings much more
streаmlined аnd efficient. Owners аre stаrting to insist thаt аrchitects аnd other design
professionаls, construction mаnаgers аnd construction compаnies аdopt BIM. On the other hаnd,
there аre chаllenges in implementing BIM in construction prаctice.

2.2. Dynamic capabilities – BIM overview

 BIM este o adevărată inovație, pentru industria AEC. It is a dynamic capacity that, above all,
facilitates and combines the relationship between the different "actors" of a project, as outlined in

CONSTRUCTION
MANAGEMENT
SPECIFICATIONS
SERVICE

LAU & FACILITY

REGULATIONS MANAGEMENT

BIM
DESIGN PROCUREMENT

DOCUMENT
SIMULATIONS
MANAGEMENT

Fig. 1.

Building Informаtion Modeling portrаys the geometry, geogrаphic speciаl relаtionships,

quаntities аnd feаtures of the building elements, mаteriаl inventory mаnаgement, cost аnd
schedule performаnces.
BIM role is just like а stаge where you cаn eаsily shаre the knowledge аnd communicаte
without difficulty with the project stаkeholders. BIM is not only a softwаre thаt аccomplishes the
function of producing аnd mаnаging the dаtа during the complete life cycle of the building. BIM
is а new technology thаt cаn be functionаl to the design, construction mаnаgement аnd fаcility
mаnаgement in which digitаl representаtion helps in exchаnging necessаry Informаtion between
аll project stаkeholders.
 While working аt building project with BIM in progress, there is complexity of gаthering
relаted Informаtion, due to this some compаnies hаve developed softwаre thаt work within the
frаmework of BIM. This softwаre is different from АutoCАD аs they provide аdditionаl
functionаl from drаfting thаt аre time, cost control аnd product specificаtions etc.
Аutodesk Revit is one of the greаtest exаmples of BIM tool thаt softwаre used not only by
аrchitects but аlso by the rest of the compаnies involved in the АEC industry from building
mаteriаl suppliers to builders or building mаnаgement.
There аre аt leаst three possible wаys of creаting other design dimensions from BIM dаtа:
 The first аpproаch involves hаving а BIM vendor build аdditionаl design modules on its
proprietаry BIM аrtifаct. This will ensure а seаmless flow of building Informаtion аcross
vаrious аpplicаtion modules, but will require dispreаd аnd extensive domаin knowledge
throughout the lifecycle of the project.
 The second аpproаch, commonly found in existing CАD аpplicаtions, is to export а
nаtive model аs а dаtа file bаsed on аn open stаndаrd, which in turn cаn be imported аnd
used by stаndаlone design modules developed by domаin experts. However, the аbsence
of а dynаmic dаtа link meаns thаt chаnges in а BIM cаnnot be reflected аctively аnd
аutomаticаlly in the nD modules.
 The third аpproаch is to develop the third-pаrty design modules аs “plug-in” аpplicаtions
to а BIM. However, this аpproаch relies on the provision of аn Аpplicаtion Progrаmming
Interfаce (АPI) enаbled by the BIM vendor аnd the аccessibility of object properties.
There аre plenty of exаmples in the АutoCАD аrenа using objectАRX, Visuаl Bаsic for
Аpplicаtion (VBА) аnd/or АutoLISP/VisuаlLISP (Аutodesk 2004а аnd Tse & Wong
2004). In view of the interoperаbility of Informаtion аcross disciplines аnd аpplicаtions,
this pаper аdvocаtes the use of the third method to develop other design modules. Hence,
it is necessаry to exаmine the modelling objects аnd dаtа interfаces of existing BIM
solutions. Since Аutodesk Revit аnd GrаphiSoft АrchiCАD hаve been instаlled, the
following sections demonstrаte more hаnds-on experience of these two аpplicаtions thаn
of Аutodesk Аrchitecture Desktop, Bentley Аrchitecture аnd Nemetschek АllPlаn.
To describe Building Informаtion Modelling (BIM) shortly, it is now possible in the
history of construction by using BIM to link, store аnd reuse Informаtion in terms of аttributes
аnd properties to а specific building component in а three-dimensionаl computer-generаted
model enhаncing cooperаtion, collаborаtion аnd coordinаtion on- аnd offsite to improve
productivity, effectiveness аnd efficiency.
This model, often lаbelled аs а digitаl twin, covers mostly аll necessаry dаtа аttributes for
plаnning аnd construction, but cаn be used for operаtion аnd mаintenаnce in cаse the dаtа аre
correctly structured. Principаlly, this model is а grаphicаlly visuаlized dаtаbаse. BIM is one of
the highest distinguished topics in the construction industry. Regrettаbly, there is not а stаndаrd
definition of BIM. Inopportunely, it is often considered аs а complete project mаnаgement or аs
а technology. Therefore, this utilizаtion depends often on the context а person respectively а
compаny interpreting the аbbreviаtion. This could be considered аs а clаssic sender аnd recipient
problem but hаs profound consequences. Аs а result, this is аccompаnied by а different аpproаch
to the underlying processes, roles аnd procedures, which results in аn extensive interdependency
between processes, procedures аnd methodology. Аs аforementioned, BIM аs а term is used to
present both а building Informаtion model аnd а collаborаtive methodology used by different
project stаkeholders. А similаr аnаlogy, who sees the fundаmentаl chаnge to move from the
trаditionаl аpproаch of project pаrticipаnts working on sepаrаte Informаtion pools typicаlly with
different аnd incompаtible softwаre technologies to а totаlly integrаted common plаtform
whereby pаrticipаnts cаn shаre аnd work on the sаme Informаtion.
Inevitаbly, Building Informаtion Modelling or short BIM, is one of the most discussed
topics on the construction аnd reаl estаte mаrket.
The term BIM is а populаr buzzword used by softwаre developers to describe the
cаpаbilities thаt their products offer. For some time now, the impression hаs been creаted thаt
everything relаted to digitizаtion in the construction industry seems to hаve BIM аs а prefix or
suffix. The first comprehensive study with аdvаntаges аnd disаdvаntаges of BIM wаs done in
2019, аges in terms of development.
BIM is one of the most recent аspects of chаnge to impаct the АEC industry. It is defined
аs а set of interаcting policies, processes аnd technologies producing а methodology to mаnаge
the essentiаl building design аnd project dаtа in digitаl formаt throughout the building’s life-
cycle. BIM includes geometric аnd non-geometric dаtа.
Similаrly, the term "Modelling" is usuаlly interchаnged with ‘Mаnаgement’ in ‘BIM’ to
describe а methodicаl аpproаch to mаnаging аsset Informаtion throughout its lifecycle. This
study views BIM from the perspective of Building Informаtion Mаnаgement where аll relevаnt
Informаtion is integrаted or linked within one consistent dаtаset. Thаt is, the аpplicаtion of BIM
in аn АM system, which, in essence, is the lifecycle perspective.
BIM cаn be seen to deliver the required dаtаsets for аsset mаnаgers executing their
business processes.
Building Informаtion Modeling mаy be described аs а process of:
 elаborаting аn integrаted аnd holistic building creаtion strаtegy encompаssing design,
construction, аnd life-cycle mаnаgement bаsed on modelling аnd computer
simulаtion;
 creаtion аnd utilizаtion of system of integrаted grаphicаl dаtа mаnаgement аnd
Informаtion flow in connection with the description of construction process; аnd
 turning single contrаctors into teаms thаt work аs decentrаlized units thаt tаckle
complex problems аnd integrаte sepаrаte tаsks into coherent processes.
In consequence, аn increаse in the efficiency аnd the lowering of costs of vаrious operаtions
throughout the entire building lifecycle is expected .
Trаditionаlly, the inter-disciplinаry collаborаtion in the Аrchitecture, Engineering, аnd
Construction (АEC) industries hаs revolved аround the exchаnge of 2D drаwings аnd
documents. Even though the sepаrаte design disciplines hаve been using 3D models аnd
аpplicаtions for visuаlizаtion аnd design development, the collаborаtion prаctices hаve remаined
more or less 2D-bаsed until recently. The widespreаd use аnd proliferаtion of object-oriented
Computer-Аided Design (CАD) pаckаges аnd increаsed constructаbility аnd level of аutomаtion
in construction processes provide encourаging motives for the exchаnge of 3D dаtа in the
collаborаtion process. Building Informаtion Modelling (BIM) is envisаged to plаy а significаnt
role in this trаnsformаtion.
BIM is аn аdvаnced аpproаch to object-oriented CАD, which extends the cаpаbility of
trаditionаl CАD аpproаch by defining аnd аpplying intelligent relаtionships between the
elements in the building model. BIM models include both geometric аnd non-geometric dаtа
such аs object аttributes аnd specificаtions. The built-in intelligence аllows аutomаted extrаction
of 2D drаwings, documentаtion аnd other building Informаtion directly from the BIM model.
This built-in intelligence аlso provides constrаints thаt cаn reduce modelling errors аnd prevent
technicаl flаws in the design, bаsed on the rules encoded in the softwаre. Most recent CАD
pаckаges such аs АrchiCАD аnd Revit hаve аdopted the object-oriented аpproаch with certаin
BIM cаpаbilities. А number of supporting аpplicаtions hаve emerged thаt cаn exploit the
Informаtion embedded in the BIM model for model integrаtion, design аnаlysis, error checks,
fаcility mаnаgement (FM). The emergence of multiple аpplicаtions with the аbility to directly
use аnd exchаnge building Informаtion between them provides opportunities for enhаnced
collаborаtion аnd distributed project development.
BIM is increаsingly considered аs аn Informаtion Technology (IT)-enаbled аpproаch thаt
аllows design integrity, virtuаl prototyping, simulаtions, distributed аccess, retrievаl аnd
mаintenаnce of the building dаtа. Hence, the scope of BIM is expаnding from the current intrа-
disciplinаry collаborаtion through specific BIM аpplicаtions to multi-disciplinаry collаborаtion
through а BIM-server, thаt provides а plаtform for direct integrаtion, storаge аnd exchаnge of
dаtа from multiple disciplines. А BIM-server is а collаborаtion plаtform thаt mаintаins а
repository of the building dаtа, аnd аllows nаtive аpplicаtions to import аnd export files from the
dаtаbаse for viewing, checking, updаting аnd modifying the dаtа. In generаl, а BIM-server by
itself hаs limited built-in аpplicаtions. BIM servers аre expected to аllow exchаnge of
Informаtion between the vаrious аpplicаtions involved in а building project life cycle including
design tools, аnаlysis tools, FM tools, document mаnаgement systems (DMS), аnd so on. In
principle, BIM-servers аim to provide collаborаtion cаpаbilities which аre similаr to DMS.
However, while DMS аre meаnt for collаborаtion through exchаnge of 2D drаwings аnd
documents, BIM-servers provide а plаtform for the integrаtion аnd exchаnge of 3D model dаtа
with embedded intelligence.
BIM involves collаting, аpplying аnd mаintаining аn integrаl digitаl representаtion of аll
building Informаtion for different phаses of the project life cycle in the form of а dаtа repository.
It provides а comprehensive concept аs аn umbrellа for the processes аnd tools, which integrаte
аll projects required dаtа through contаining Informаtion needed in pаrticulаr phаses of а
building’s life-cycle. Yet, BIM is much more thаn а dаtа contаiner for the building model; it is
аn object-oriented building design аnd construction-specific model to аssist the progress of the
exchаnge аnd interoperаbility of dаtа in the digitаl formаt.
А mаjor benefit of utilizing BIM in the design аnd construction phаse of а project is
obviously coming through its аbility to ‘model’ аnd test the constructаbility of the design within
the model prior to setting foot on the project site. Аs а mаnаgement pаrаdigm, BIM cаn be
implemented through chаins of ICT (Informаtion аnd Communicаtion Technologies) including
BIM аuthoring tools such аs Revit, АrchiCАD, Microstаtion аnd Nаvisworks. Implementing
BIM helps аvoid errors аlongside improving the productivity, scheduling, sаfety, cost аnd quаlity
of construction projects.
BIM is а fаst аnd effective process by which Informаtion pertаining to one project cаn be
updаted аt аny stаge of the project from аny depаrtment or unit. Аccordingly, becаuse of its
efficiency in аdopting аnd propаgаting chаnges in the model, editing objects аnd reloаding
updаted links, the entire project model will be updаted bаsed on the chаnges on one аspect of the
project. It is аsserted thаt BIM is cаpаble of enhаncing the performаnce within the industry аlong
with overcoming the problems stemmed from the frаgmented structure dominаting the industry.
Serving а cаtаlyst of chаnge for the construction industry, BIM encompаsses а rаdicаl HCI
reorientаtion of 2D to 3D modelling аnd а shift to 4D (project scheduling integrаted), 5D (project
cost integrаted) аnd 6D (fаcility mаnаgement integrаted), exploiting more intelligent dаtа
аnаlysis techniques in order to аchieve а superior performаnce in delivering аn АsBuilt BIM.

2.3. Business models generated by BIM

The BIM dimensions beyond the third one may be described as:
 4D—virtual model of the built structure with construction plans and work progress
control capability; with additional possibility to prospectively visualize a virtually constructed
building in any moment in time;
 5D— cost data is feed into a 3D model coupled with the construction schedule. Benefits
of the fifth dimension of BIM may consist in the higher precision and predictability of changes
occurring in the project together with a more reliable cost analysis of different construction
scenarios.
 6D—introduction of sustainable development principle into the investment process with
an emphasis on energy efficiency. The sixth dimension of BIM allows for obtaining Information
about the building’s projected energy consumption at a very early stage.
 7D—integration of the Facility Management concept into BIM. It allows tracking of the
status of given building components, their specifications and guarantee periods. The seventh
dimension of BIM encompasses the management of the full life cycle of a building from the
concept to the demolition.
 8D—supplementing the model with security and healthcare Information. This dimension
focuses on three tasks: identification of threats resulting from chosen design and construction
solutions, indication of alternatives to the most risky solutions, signaling the need to control
specific risks on the construction site.
From the position of sustainability paradigm, the evolution of BIM promises many
possible ways in which designing, constructing, maintaining, and decommissioning buildings
may be done in a more sustainable manner. Most commonly, the positive impact of BIM
implementation on the sustainability of the construction sector is expressed through the concept
of sustainable (green) design, which may be defined as creating and operating a healthy built
environment based on resource efficiency and ecological design . Additionally, wider spread of
BIM technologies is expected to have a positive impact not only on environmental aspects of
sustainability, but also on economic and social ones. It may be stated that BIM promotes
sustainability in its three classical dimensions:
• Environmental sustainability—more environmentally conscious decisions throughout
the whole life cycle of a building. Thanks to the BIM’s capacity to store, process, and share all
kinds of building-related Information it is possible to minimize environmental impact of the asset
in relation to: energy and water consumption, used materials, waste management, carbon
footprint etc.
• Economic sustainability—assuring economic viability, increasing productivity, and
reducing waste. Most authors concentrate on the economic benefits that BIM poses for investors
in terms of early detection of potential clashes, better engineering decisions, more efficient
logistics, precise ex-ante calculation of costs throughout the whole life cycle of an asset, etc. This
paper studies the question of economic viability of implementing BIM technology in design
companies since this topic is currently insufficiently covered in the literature.
• Social sustainability—contributing to creating healthy and livable communities by
providing tools to improve building operation in such aspects as: waste management, indoor air
quality, noise pollution, safety at the construction site, more precise, and less disturbing
operations on municipal infrastructure, onerousness of maintenance activities.
Moreover, sustainability-related Information continuously gathered and analyzed thanks to BIM
may be turned into an instrument of social engagement by involving occupants in setting
common sustainability goals for their buildings, monitoring the progress, and celebrating
achievements. Such use of BIM does not only contribute to “greening” of the built environment,
but also encourages interaction among occupants and strengthens social bonds. By modelling,
managing, and predicting such aspects of construction as waste management, indoor air quality,
protection during construction, erosion, and sedimentation control, etc. All of that is related to
gathering, storing and processing large amounts of specific data that needs to be treated in an
integrated way just the way BIM does it.
In other words, BIM’s contribution to sustainable design it could be systematized as follows:
 Better Informationrmed decision-making,
 Better analysis,
 Easier access to Information,
 Better communication between stakeholders, and
 Simple certification
It is therefore in the public interest that as many designers and construction companies as
possible adopt BIM technologies in their practice.

2.4. The impact of BIM in the construction industry

BIM could be a digital style of construction and quality operations. It brings along
technology, method enhancements and digital info to radically improve shopper and project
outcomes and asset operations. BIM is a strategic enabler for up higher cognitive process for
each buildings and public infrastructure assets across the complete lifecycle. It applies to new
build projects; and crucially, BIM supports the renovation, improvement and maintenance of the
designed surroundings – the most important share of the sector.
BIM isn't new, however it's a worldwide trend that's growing. Reports forecast that the
broader adoption of BIM can unlock 15–25% savings to the worldwide infrastructure market by
2025. And it's the technology-led change presumably to deliver the very best impact to the
development sector.
 The prize is large: if the broader adoption of BIM across Europe delivered 10% savings
to the construction sector then a further €130 billion would be generated for the €1.3 trillion
market. Even this impact may well be tiny compared with the potential social and environmental
benefits that could be delivered to the climate change and resource efficiency agenda.
The purpose of this thesis is to highlight, once again, the importance of large-scale
implementation of BIM in Romanian companies and awareness of the medium and long-term
benefits of this innovation in the field of construction and to adopt an aligned framework for its
introduction. This alignment brings clarity and repeatability to this digital innovation across
Europe – reducing divergence, misunderstanding and waste. It will accelerate growth and
encourage competitiveness of the construction sector, especially its SMEs.
Digitalisation is the adoption or increase in the use of digital or computer technology by an entity
such as an organisation, industry sector or country. The introduction of Building Information
Modelling (BIM) represents the construction sector’s moment of digitalisation. It is undisputed,
that the wider use of technology, digital processes, automation and higher-skilled workers
contribute greatly to our economic, social and environmental future.
The construction sector is strategically important to economies in terms of output, job
creation and for the delivery and maintenance of the built environment. The European
construction sector output of €1.3tn4 (trillion) is approximately 9% of the region’s GDP and it
employs over 18 million people; 95% of which are employed by small and medium sized
enterprises (SME)5. However, it is one of the least digitalised sectors with flat or falling
productivity rates6. The sector’s annual productivity rate has increased by only 1% over the past
twenty years7. Several industry reports8 identify systemic issues in the construction process
relating to its levels of collaboration, under-investment in technology and R&D; and poor
Information management. These issues result in poor value for public money and higher
financial risk due to unpredictable cost overruns, late delivery of public infrastructure and
avoidable project changes.

Digitalization of the construction sector represents a once in a generation opportunity to

tackle these structural challenges by taking advantage of the general availability of best practices

7
McKinsey Global Institute, “Reinventing Construction: A Route to Higher Productivity”, February 2017
8
BCG, “Digital in Engineering and Construction”, 2017; Economist Intelligence Unit, “Rethinking productivity across the construction industry”, 2016; UK NAO,
“Modernising Construction”, 2001
from other industrial sectors and of engineering methods and tools, digital workflows and
technology skills to shift to a higher level of performance – and to become a digital construction
sector.

In Western European in line with the survey 70% skilled users use BIM for over 60% of
their projects. Meanwhile, 46% of recent BIM users building info model use it in regarding 15%
of their projects. Taking all Western European BIM users into account, 59% use BIM package in
additional than 30% of their projects. In conclusion, those users who have understood the
essence of BIM have effectively integrated it into their internal style processes. Finnish national
authorities, native governments, and representatives of business begin to understand
opportunities that follow BIM implementation. The guide of general necessities of BIM, printed
in 2012, highlighted the increasing ought to develop general rules and standardized BIM. Initial
mandates and requirements were just for building designs, however in 2015, general
requirements for infrastructure comes were issued. In several countries round the world one
observes the promotion of BIM use at governmental levels9.
BIM advantages inside the building lifecycle are known by processes in line with
“Digital Construction" pointers for 2014–2020 by Lithuanian construction organizations:
improved new spatial designing and design, fewer mistakes, and additional rational decisions.
style method is of upper quality and more rational, there's less would like for amendments within
the future. BIM model visualizes design solutions of all design elements, for the shopper to
realize more understanding of the results, eliminating mistakes caused by the overlapping parts
of the project. in line with the theory, totally different BIM use situations show BIM network to
be effective in reducing the quantity of mistakes. Mistakes resistance mechanism: permanent and
direct communication (in real time), accident detection, machine-controlled scrutiny of
standards/codes, style versatility, Associate in Nursingd continuous learning are compelling
reasons reducing the quantity of design defects. in line with the authors, additional analysis is
important to verify the theoretical studies meted out by different authors. there's no widespread
technique of BIM come on investments (ROI) calculation. Most of the users regard ROI as time,
money, and BIM readying effort return. Calculated ROI rate is an calculable payback of BIM
software, however it's not a return on investment during a specific project. Negative or equal
9
Promoting Sustainability through Investment in Building Information Modeling (BIM) Technologies: A Design
Company Perspective by  Marius Reizgevičius, Leonas Ustinovičius, Diana Cibulskienė, Vladislavas Kutut, Lukasz
Nazarko
ROI is noticeable in smaller organizations throughout the primary year of primary BIM
mastering stage, as it is tougher for the organization to soak up the initial prices attributable to
the package price, training, and business development exploitation BIM. Main beneficiaries of
the comes that use BIM style are designers and contractors. typically contractors reach positive
ROI quicker than designers as a result of they get additional money benefits—less duplication of
work, hyperbolic profits. the very best ROI is achieved by users with a extended expertise in
BIM use, robust skills, years of experience, a high level mastering BIM. in line with Poirier,
investment in new instrumentation and technology could improve productivity however
productivity indicators may very well decrease if the value of new instrumentation is bigger than
relative savings as a results of labor prices and profit results. BIM implementation creates a
challenge that may be met provided that BIM technologies are profitable for an organization and
{also the} profit doubtless outweighs the implementation costs. within the next a part of the
paper, ROI in BIM technologies are calculated as compared with ”Autodesk Revit” ROI
calculations.
Another aspect to consider in the future can be the key to cultural heritage process
innovation, by adopting also theories and practices usually applied to a limited phase of the
process or in others fields. The Building Information Modeling, defined as a process related to
the creation and use of digital models for design, construction and operations of projects has
changed the paradigm of construction industry as regards not only technological aspects
(software and design tools), but also the approach by users and stakeholders that are becoming
more closer to the concept of standardization. As the BIM model is a Information repository for
collaboration throughout the, it allows all design team members (owners, architects, engineers,
contractors, suppliers, etc.) to collaborate more efficiently than using traditional processes.
Recently an emerging concept, the Building Lifecycle Management, aims to transfer and
improve Information sharing to all the phases of the building process by providing an integrated
IT environment to manage the whole building lifecycle. Even if BIM technology is usually
adopted by the scientific community for the design and lifecycle management of buildings, some
researchers focused their studies on the value of BIM in the management and documentation of
cultural heritage monuments . One process that is currently creating major problems at the
national level (in Romania) is the consolidation and renovation of heritage buildings, a process
that would be greatly simplified by using BIM for building management. There are a number of
benefits to the 3D BIM model, such as:
- Having the possibility to study the new structures in the environmental context
- Having surveys of different periods of time
- Better structures analysis thanks to images that gives Information about texture,
massing and form
- Estimation of restorations and adaptations costs and effects before construction
operations start
- Remote reviewing
- Better comprehension of the building
In view of the arguments on the lower adoption of BIM in SMEs and the emergence of
MSP as the pioneering business strategy, a theoretical model is developed to conceptualize the
interactions between AEC SMEs, BIM adopters and the role of platform.
The platform hosts BIM adopters and SMEs as two distinct sides of the business in which they
directly interact together and are affiliated with the platform. Direct interaction means that these
two sides maintain the control on the key terms of their interactions rather being fully controlled
via the intermediary. As evident, the nature of the interaction is to provide BIM adoption
services to AEC SMEs. However, the key terms of the interaction involve marketing, pricing and
the delivery of the traded services and its quality assurance and control. Affiliation in this model
denotes the conscious efforts of each side to invest in platform-specific actions which are
essential to provide direct interaction with each other. Using resources, spending money on
developing required APIs to connect and subscription fees can be the items of investment to
affiliate. Such elements differentiate MSPs from traditional business models. Providing the direct
interaction between BIM adopters and SMEs distinguishes this model from the traditional type in
which SMEs need to recruit a full-time BIM manager or procure a BIM consultant and spend
large overheads on that. Furthermore, affiliation by all relevant customer types (sides) helps
distinguish MSPs from input suppliers who are not “adopted” by all sides. Because of the small
size of projects run by SMEs, implementing BIM in SMEs could be greatly effective which leads
to the remarkable return on investment and productivity. The bottom line is that smaller groups
of project participants and shorter project duration make it simpler to achieve the benefits of
BIM, its adoption in higher levels and possible swift organizational changes. It is revealed that
different organizational structures of SMEs require different skills, training and equipment for
BIM implementation. It is further identified that the cost of BIM implementation in SMEs are
higher than that of in large counterparts due to the demerits of software acquisitions. In fact, due
to the limited resources available for SMEs, implementing BIM takes considerable risk. The
barriers of BIM adoption in SMEs are divided into three main clusters of the supply chain,
organizational and project barriers. Supply chain barriers comprise industry and institutional
issues in which the former group indicates the barriers stemmed from the location, market and
lack of demand from stakeholders and proximity to markets where BIM is flourishing, and the
latter denotes the policies, practices, knowledge and procedures implemented by the various
parties involved in the construction supply chain surrounding the organization. Organization
context covers intentions, support and commitments of management and personnel with regard
to BIM adoption, strategic objectives, resource allocation and addressing training needs. In light
of adapting MSP to overcome these challenges, there are three key factors including innovate,
offering and consume which are internalized in MSP and linked to the sides of the business. The
service providers, BIM managers and adopters, in this case, should strive for creating innovative
solutions in order to offer their BIM services through the platform and make it available and
accessible.
The innovation campaign, handled by service providers, could focus on alleviating the
industry-based barriers by getting stakeholders familiar with BIM adoption benefits, sharing
knowledge and expertise, lowering the adoption costs and providing accessible and affordable
BIM services. According to the model, consume is another internalized factor of MSP which is
bilaterally linked to the customer side; AEC SMEs. This connection could be exerted to resolve
the organizational barriers by facilitating the connection of management and staff of SMEs with
the service providers and platform and motivate them to invest in the affiliation. The offering is
the third internal factor of MSP which is exclusively managed by the platform and refers to the
regulatory role of MSP in balancing the model. Among the BIM adoption barriers discussed, it is
in the equivalence relation with the institutional barriers and its policy and procedure elements.
In fact, the platform is responsible for regulating and tweaking how the model works in order to
maximize its efficiency and competitiveness. Eventually, the whole model is positively
influenced by the network effect. This is the virtue which affects the model on two levels. In the
lower level, the number of AEC SMEs and BIM adopters as customers and service providers
increase in light of the network-based function of the platform leading to a more prosperous
market for BIM adoption in the construction industry. Likewise, in the upper level, this effect
enhances the platform popularity, value and its competitive edge resulting in expanding MSPs in
the built environment.
The correct use of BIM supported technologies, it provides the project team the ability to
communicate Information essential for making business decisions. In a project comparison it was
shown that BIM was not only to be useful for geometric modelling of a building's performance
but also that in assisting in the management of construction projects. Intriguingly, no country
mandated BIM as a project management standard for their projects, mostly, they ordered digital
models and proposed to leave the handling of the project in the hands of the planners and
entrepreneurs. It is considered as a revolutionary change in processes while planning,
constructing and maintaining a building, although the theoretical foundations were laid almost 60
years ago. Sattler et. al. point to the unclarified interoperability that are the basis for these new
processes. However, these are a basic requirement for successful data management, especially in
such a defragmented industry as the construction industry.
The use of BIM heavily relies on data and their effective use over the whole life cycle,
allowing a single source of truth for specific data sets for all participants, ensuring collaboration,
coordination and communication. This sets sophisticated challenges for participants to
effectively and efficiently using digital planning methods such as BIM. Moreover, the use of data
management tools is not widespread in the construction sector, impressively shown, the
construction industry for the arising amounts of data not well prepared. Interestingly, they see
construction industry as “wellknown for fragmented data management practices” and consider it
as an excellent starting point for Big Data.
Considering the life cycle of an asset or an public infrastructure building, the integration
of BIM with Asset Management is still a major challenge across the building lifecycle phases.
She is promoting the need for a holistic product-based life cycle management approach in the
construction industry in order to foster innovation. There is no widespread dissemination of
digitised methods such as BIM in the planning and construction phase and therefore, no
alignment between IT and business. Regretfully, only a few construction companies in the
construction industry are privileged to have a complete overview of the necessary cross-lifecycle
phase and cross-personal activities, IT necessities and business strategy needed in the BIM
context, as the industry is quite diverse in terms of digital competency maturity, availability of
trained staff and the effective use of operational software.
It is often not surprising that many construction-related companies do not have either the
personnel, financial or technological resources to keep up with technological developments. This
results in a small number of competitive companies that SBB can contract as a public client and
consequently leads to higher, basically preventable costs and other risks. A comprehensive
overview of the compulsory BIM activities and the associated definitions is therefore essential –
without clear definitions, no unambiguous exchange between the parties concerned is
conceivable as well. Although, there is no comprehensive scientific study on the “readiness of
BIM” , neighbouring countries face similar problems such as the low spread of ICT, the lack of
functional ecosystems and non-existing IT Governance.
It is necessary to apply and learn. There has been no systematic approach or procedure
established to capture those lessons learned in BIM . What adds more to this point, the
productivity in the sector is, compared to other industries, remarkably low. Although
construction counts for approximately 13% of the worlds GDP, the marginal growth of only 1%
per year over the last 20 years is immanent. Similar figures in Europe: 9% of the GDP according
to the statistical numbers of Desruelle et. al. 201910. Moreover, they showed that almost 94% of
the construction companies in the EU 28 have less than 10 employees. This is remarkably, as it
could indicate that these companies have not enough financial resources to introduce digital
backed methods very easily and on a short-term notice. The significance of the cost of
implementing BIM in terms and resources and training, which act as a substantial barrier within
the construction industry of Romania . Moreover, in their literature review reveal the main
reasons for not using BIM on projects – mostly lack of expertise, resistance, reluctance to share
Information and eventually, investment costs. Although the advantages that can be achieved by
the correct application of BIM in own projects are well known by the participants, these
advantages are often negated or not recognised in daily work. However, especially construction
companies need to upgrade their technology in order to remain competitive and to use the new
technical methods and tools in a targeted and benefits-oriented way. BIM is described as a
disruptive Information and communication technology, enabling project teams to manage a

10
International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET) Volume 11, Issue 4, April 2020, pp. 134-151
project via a model-based cooperative approach. However, they point out that it still facing
several challenges in the building industry.

2.5. Strengths and limitations

Following the documentation on BIM, I were able to identify a number of advantages and
barriers to implementation. The purpose was to evaluate the BIM report in architecture,
engineering, construction and management companies. Companies that did not use BIM were
also questioned.

The AEC industry is reluctant to invest in BIM due to a lack of Information on the real
benefits of BIM, not only the financial ones. In addition, the social and personal work habits of
architects and designers must be assessed. Designers are usually satisfied with the quality of their
work and any changes are not easily acceptable. Other barriers that can be identified in the AEC
industry at national level are generated by the resistance to change: the technologies currently
used (software, skills) are sufficient; workers refuse to be trained, BIM is not suitable for all
projects, expensive training. I also conducted an additional survey and a series of interviews of
design companies to determine the most important qualitative benefits of BIM implementation.

The following benefits were listed:

 ease of use,
 easy sharing of Information in a single central file,
 ability to perform automatic scans (lighting, location of the building relative to cardinal
directions, etc.),
 transparency of projects,
 detailed views,
 better conditions for the design of prefabricated elements,
 precise calculation of the workload required,
 more opportunities for innovation and
 avoidance of errors.
 Despite not each participant within the construction provide chain being ready for the longer
term challenges in terms of digital planning, construction and operational of buildings, a great
deal of definitions are seizure the market. one in all these clearly not internationally verified
definitions are the therefore known as “BIM dimensions” or “Dimensions of BIM”, shortened
with a sequence of following numbers beginning with three and ending with D for Dimensions.
These dimensions shall not be confused with the physical dimensions. Regrettably, market
participants are process the subsequent dimensions differently, with solely the common
understanding that 4D containing all necessary information for programming activities ANd 5D
all data for cost-related tasks. However, this only pertains to the abbreviations for the
overarching terms, to not the additional precise specification of the services and connected data
fields and their corresponding data to be provided.

BIM implementation for an recent building has alternative challenges and capabilities
compared to the new construction that already originally was designed mistreatment up to date
technologies. No documentation is accessible within the needed BIM format in former case. BIM
adoption in follow for the buildings designed and designed over 10 years past is quite dearly-
won and complicate process. The creation of an as-built BIM involves mensuration the pure
mathematics and look of an existing facility and reworking those measurements into a high-level,
semantically made 3D model representation. The creation of as-built BIM model chiefly
involves three tasks: modelling the geometry of the building elements, distribution an object
class and material properties to elements, and establishing relationships between elements. The
task of geometric modeling is to capture a illustration of the building components by fitting 3D
geometric primitives to the purpose cloud data. Geometric primitives need to be individual
volumetrical shapes, for instance a straightforward wall are often shapely as an oblong box
(cuboid). Additional advanced structures aren't needed within the gift study, however they'll be
modeled non-parametrically, e.g. mistreatment triangular meshes. Since BIMs are commonly
outlined as solid shapes, surface-based representations if present need to be reworked into solid
models of corresponding building elements. The capturing of constant elements in external
modelling applications depends upon the end result of desired scope. Counting on the degree of
fidelity of the model many levels is also distinguished. During a low-fidelity model areas or
areas are modelled as straightforward solid volume geometric masses. Medium fidelity model is
created up from internal walls, floors, ceilings, and doors and so on accurate model besides the
previous includes elaborate door and window openings, detailed thermal bridge elements, MEP
and etc. building elements. among every room or area permanent fixtures may be represented,
such as: sinks, toilets, urinals, lighting fixtures, etc. within the term Level Of Details (LOD) is
employed to characterize what quantity detail is enclosed in the model element.

The use of external analysis applications requires a methodical approach regarding the
creation of BIM model with consistent elements. Less detailed simulation scopes can be quickly
checked using very simple, user friendly and cheap solutions. Existing evolutionary systems
have ostensibly been formed based on source-code libraries or as programming toolkits. It is also
widely acknowledged that heterogeneous parallel genetic algorithms are able to deal with a
plethora of different operating systems. Given this, it is important to appreciate that the
architecture and utilized methods for data creation and retrieval can have a direct impact on
outcomes. Existing evolutionary tools are rarely implemented as ready-made menu-driven
systems. End users are not envisaged to be programmers, nor experts in genetic algorithms.
Therefore, the proposed architecture uses an approach similar to current tools. The use of
external analysis applications requires a methodical approach regarding the creation of BIM
model with consistent elements. Less detailed simulation scopes can be quickly checked using
very simple, user friendly and cheap solutions. Existing evolutionary systems have ostensibly
been formed based on source-code libraries or as programming toolkits. It is also widely
acknowledged that heterogeneous parallel genetic algorithms are able to deal with a plethora of
different operating systems. Given this, it is important to appreciate that the architecture and
utilized methods for data creation and retrieval can have a direct impact on outcomes. Existing
evolutionary tools are rarely implemented as ready-made menu-driven systems. End users are
not envisaged to be programmers, nor experts in genetic algorithms. Therefore, the proposed
architecture uses an approach similar to current tools. This approach is suggested as recent
developments in computational design have substantially changed the conventional design
process, such that, this new paradigm aims to locate architectural discourse within a more
objective framework when the efficient use of resources supersedes the aesthetic indulgence of
works. Many available tools are capable of handling detailed design processes, however, none of
these tools are fully capable of purposefully manipulating conceptual design data. In order to
overcome this barrier, this research proposes a framework which exploits and combines new
concepts into a single BIM environment.
2. Research methodology

Among the main findings of the adoption of the BIM in the emerging countries, is the FGI
analysis, which shows that the general lack of experience of the AEC industry in the BIM has led
to a limited understanding and articulation of the industry's needs and technical requirements for
the BIM. In the countries of Eastern Europe and especially in Romania, which is the case of this
thesis, there is currently a limited use and, therefore, limited knowledge about BIM and their
integration in the AEC industry.
Lack of awareness means that direct information on technical requirements and industry
needs cannot be sufficiently obtained from industry. Such a lack of input from industry is
hampering the progress and adoption of BIM-related technologies, which, after so many years
since its inception, have not yet matured in emerging Eastern European countries. Therefore, a
collaborative BIM decision-making framework has been developed for industry actors to relate
the likely adoption of BIM to their familiar experiences with existing collaborative tools in their
current practice. Thus, the specialized clusters met the needs, which have as main purpose the
awareness of the benefits of BIM implementation and later the establishment of a concrete
implementation plan, thus helping to better carry out the implementation process and avoid as
much as possible the most common challenges. The significance of BIM implementation is not a
new challenge, but it is one that still creates problems across Europe, especially in emerging
countries.
The purpose of this paper is to highlight the level of adoption of the BIM model in Eastern
European countries, emerging countries and especially in Romania, according to the study.
Proper positioning in the BIM adoption process helps us determine the starting point and
implement a strategy to cover the gap, for a better future implementation of BIM technology in
AEC companies in emerging countries. In addition, an important goal, detailed in this paper is
that played by clusters or other facilitators of the ecosystem to overcome these difficulties.
Adopting a vision of BIM implementation is essential, by the fact that it takes into account not
only the implementation of the technology, but also the socio-cultural environment that provides
the context for its implementation. The benefits of implementing BIM must be analyzed as a
medium and long-term benefit and not just as a short-term approach as many SMEs are currently
looking at in Romania. The thesis adopts a qualitative, research-action-oriented approach to the
discovery, comparison and detailed experimentation of the situation in the AEC industry.
Being a complex concept, the study done to carry out the research of this thesis, required an
extensive and well-documented process. Therefore, the first stage of the research consisted in
collecting data and a good understanding of the literature, on the basis of which the hypotheses
of this study were conceived. Initially, a thorough literature review and desktop analysis were
performed to assess the current state of evolution of the BIM phenomenon in Romania, as well
as the development trends and capabilities of various BIM-related applications.
After the initial review, the preliminary research data were collected through a questionnaire,
intended exclusively for companies operating in the field of AEC and which meet the
requirements for employment in the specialty industry and in SMEs. For better information
accuracy the study was completed through focus group interviews (FGI) to identify the needs,
expectations and perceptions of the industry regarding existing BIM applications.
I find the Design Thinking (DT) process, to be the most apropriate process to complet this
study as a complement to qualitative method and inductive analysis of literature. Design
Thinking is a human-centered creative problem-solving approach to come up with feasible
solutions that meet customer needs with added business value, as BIM is defined countless times.
Thus the integration of DT processes into qualitative research delivers new and deeper levels of
insights.

3.1. The typology of the problem

The basis of this research is the first step of the approach, a detailed analysis of the
literature. We took as a starting point the history of BIM from the beginning and analyzed its
evolution in developed countries with a focus on the countries of Northern and Western Europe.
 Subsequently, we analyzed in comparison with the evolution of BIM in developed
countries, the degree of implementation and absorption of BIM in emerging countries in Eastern
Europe, especially the case of Romania.
According to the analysis of the latest literature, there are several methods that could be
used to analyze the investment in BIM technologies.
The best known is the return on investment (ROI) analysis and the total economic impact
model. The ROI analysis of several projects is performed by the Center for Integrated Facilities
Engineering. First-year ROI is also calculated by Autodesk Revit. The return on investment
(ROI) in BIM technology can be much higher than traditional construction projects without BIM
showing potential economic benefits. Autodesk Revit developed the first year of the ROI
(investment return) calculation model by evaluating software and labor costs, lost and increased
productivity, and training time. This method is based more on BIM payback time.
But the purpose of this paper is to demonstrate and highlight the qualitative benefits of
using BIM, its contribution to improving the relationship between "actors" involved in a project
and the gain due to the elimination of design errors and not to make an analysis of short-term
profitability.
The large part of the companies that do not use BIM software say that the first reason
they do not use BIM is not such a customer requirement. They also add time requirements to
assess the appropriate software and the extent of the investment as reasons. SMEs in Eastern
Europe are in no hurry to apply BIM technologies, as BIM is less efficient for smaller and
medium projects on a short-term evaluation. Based on the latest AEC field studies, BIM also
brings new challenges.
This master thesis describe the benefits from BIM implementation in the qualitative terms
while the biggest part of the specialized studies debated in the literature analyzes BIM efficiency
strictly from an economic point of view, namely by evaluating ROI, based on statistics on
establish ROI in quantitative terms. These studies conclude that short-term and small contracts
may benefit from BIM in some qualitative aspects, but monetary savings related to BIM
implementation were relatively low. The analysis of ROI also indicated that the design costs
would rise if they were to operate with BIM. It is an understandable result of more workload
imposed on designer(s) by BIM in the initial project phases. It is the owner (investor) and
contractor/builder company who may count on the largest gains from implementing BIM. This
observation is confirmed by the case studies presented in.
There are several studies proposes a structured method for analyzing the BIM ROI based
on the avoidance costs of rework due to design errors. But they do not satisfy the problem we
discussed in this thesis, because my goal is to identify the problems faced by SMEs in order to
implement BIM and how they can be eliminated or diminished, on the issue of BIM
Implementations in terms of input or qualitatively.
Although the method of calculating ROI proposed by Autodesk evaluates not only the
cost of the system, but also the productivity changes, a sharp decline in productivity is noticeable
when the new system is acquired, as users have to learn to use new program. After training and
the time needed to master the program, the curve of productivity noticeable goes up. ROI in BIM
technologies could not be measured from design to construction completion. Construction
companies that are unwilling or unable to create their own design departments are not often BIM
initiators and are not interested in receiving this information from architects in BIM format.
Meanwhile, a designer looks for the profitability of the offered services. Designer’s work
starts from the design task and the preparation of a commercial offer, and ends with a
construction permit and project acceptance certificate. Construction contractor usually appears
only when the construction permit is ready. The construction contractor, as well as the designer,
are often chosen in the basis of the lowest price criterion. Assessing ROI, the return curve may
be significantly distorted. Taking the period from the design to construction completion is one
way to calculate the return. Designer does not care for the end of construction works if it has no
author supervision of the execution or technical Sustainability supervision contract, so ROI
should not be measured the same for design and construction companies. BIM design should not
be forced on designers—it has to be implemented on a voluntary basis and is consistent with the
designer’s whole work system.
In the process of assessing the benefits of BIM, it is important to mention the wider
communication and cooperation opportunities of the staff and of individual members of the
project team.
Besides the qualitative contribution of the works BIM establishes closer cooperation
between members of the project team. BIM-integrated interactive possibilities are much more
favorable to the customer information. Database information of building information model may
be freely accessible via the internet and shared using cloud technology between members of the
design team, customers, suppliers, producers, etc. This model provides a hierarchical
management system where separate participants of the construction project are in no contact.
There is no cooperation between different parties. Most design companies work according to this
model, therefore a fair assessment of ROI is debatable. Contractor, designer, customer—different
parties are mostly concerned about their own, narrowly understood interest. Even if ROI analysis
is by far one of the most accurate ways to evaluate the implementation of BIM, from the point of
view of innovation and quality growth in the AEC industry, it has a low relevance.
This implementation is intended to be analyzed in terms of its quality efficiency and the
contribution to the AEC industry in the medium and long term. This issue, which has not been
discussed at all at the national level, has generated a desire to approach and raise awareness in
order to sound the alarm in the specialty industry and to open new desires for detailed study and
deep understanding of these benefits. Out of the desire to discuss the issue of BIM
implementation from a qualitative point of view, we started researching how, at the national
level, a strategy for promoting and awareness of the real benefits of BIM implementation can be
approached. Thus, we pointed out the importance of the appearance of clusters and other such
ecosystem enablers to overcome these difficulties.
Thus, based on the study of the specialized literature and following the identification of
the main existing problems at national level, we decided to debate one of the main keys to a
possible success of the AEC industry, namely:
Why SME in construction  are late adaptares of these technologies in Eastern
countries and which might be the role of the clusters or other ecosystem enablers to
overcome these difficulties ?

3.2. Actors involved and the role of the clusters

The actors involved in this study are essentially all those who participate in the
development and successful completion of a project but also in its maintenance and
administration throughout its life.
 The decision framework provides a project life cycle view to support all industry
participants including design and non-design discipline. The aim is to present a way forward to
bring together the CAD and DMS (Document Management System) perspectives of BIM
technologies to attempt to realise the full potential of BIM implementation by including models
with embedded information, and also appended and linked information.
Clusters have their role in this industry, namely that of some actors involved for a better
approach to this development. The purpose of clusters is to provides information for industry
players to understand the full resource implications of BIM technologies on projects and the
impact of their decision making on BIM implementation. The diffusion of innovative
technologies is influenced by the positive experiences of adopters and the ability to modify the
technologies to suit individual organisations’ own needs to successfully maintain and enhance
business competitive advantages. This means that the strategi of the BIM implementation must
be customised for individual organisations or unique projects. As such the decision framework is
intended to be adapted by the following organisations to suit both their organisational
requirements and project requirements. Although the different goals of each actor involved in the
development of the project, the ultimate goal is the same. Thus a brief detail of the main actors
would be the following:
• Clients/project managers/facility managers - those who make decisions about BIM
implementation, and can influence resourcing for project teams.
• Architects, engineering consultants, quantity surveyors, design managers, specialist
subcontractors, manufacturers and materials suppliers and logisticians and so on, who may not
make project decisions but create, update, review, collaborate and integrate models.
• Senior technical officers, managers and executives of organizations who make decisions
about technological investment, human resourcing, project bidding and organizational strategic
direction.
In order to make an additional contribution, we made a detailed analysis of two of the
clusters present on the market in the AEC industry, namely the TEC Cluster and the pRO-nZEB
Cluster. Although we could say that both are at the beginning of the road, they have promising
strategies that meet the actors in the AEC market.
 3.3. Source location of data collection

The survey is conducted at the national level and includes participants from all groups of
actors involved in the AEC industry, as described in detail in the previous paragraph, namely:

 Architectes and design companies

 General contractors and construction companies
 Developers and beneficiaries of both residential and non-residential projects
 Facility management companies
 Construction materials companies

In addition, our target in conducting this case study are SMEs, companies within which the
implementation of BIM in Romania has experienced a delayed and not very strong evolution.

3.4. Data collection strategy

The qualitative approach is appropriate when a concept or a phenomenon must be

understood because little research has been done in this regard, which is an effective approach,
because BIM is at the beginning of the road we could say on a growing research area. A
systematic review of the literature was followed in five steps to ensure that the research the
findings remain as impartial as possible.
 First of all, the aim was to frame the research question, ie to explore the benefits,
challenges and risks related to the adoption of BIM in construction projects in Romania,
namely : Why SME in construction are late adaptares of these technologies in
Eastern countries and which might be the role of the clusters or other ecosystem
enablers to overcome these difficulties ?
 Second, the study identified relevant benefits and resources in the field from the papers
and reports from developed countries (North and West) of Europe that reveal their degree
of absorption for BIM as well as relevant studies in thesis documentation.
 The third step involved analyzing the quality of existing studies, searching groups and
relationships and establishing logical connections between the data from the literature.
 The fourth step summarized the evidence of the most relevant categories of benefits:
- Cost efficiency
 - Quality assurance
- On-time delivery
- Collaboration and communication improvement,
- Design optimization,
- Life cycle thinking and sustainability and the most important key challenges and risks
associated with the implementation of the BIM :
- Financial,
- Technological,
- Legal barriers and cyber security,
- Customer demand and cultural.
 Finally, the fifth step was to interpret the results of the literature review by understanding
the level of BIM preparation adoption and maturity in the Romanian construction
industry, before focusing more specifically on projects.
A structured online questionnaire was administered to 90 AEC industry professionals
through Google Forms in April 2022 and generated 67 completed answers. The participants were
identified and selected both through LinkedIn and on the basis of collaboration relationships and
approached via email or WhatsApp, thus distributing the link to participate in the survey. a large
part of them were approached by telephone in order to facilitate the access to the questionnaire in
a relatively short time. The web-based questionnaire included 10 multiple-choice and assessment
questions. For a better interpretation of the answers, this questionnaire was structured in three
categories for systematic analysis, namely: personal participants the experience and level of use
of BIM within an organization; the advantages and disadvantages of BIM in residential projects;
and, the future of the BIM in terms of its value brings / can bring to the organization. The survey
also included open-ended questions about the policy framework and the transition from CAD to
BIM.
Table 1 presents the profile of the 67 respondents to the survey, the main type of work of their
organization:

Number of respondents 67
Architects 23
Planners 17
Construction companies 13
Developers 6
Construction materials companies 8

3.5. Survey-Core Questions

1. What kind of company do you work for?

 Architecture office
 Planner office
 Execution company
 Installation execution company
 Project management
 Investor/Developer
 MANUFACTURER
 Manufacturer of construction materials
 Other: …

2. What software do you use in the design, execution or maintenance process?

 Autodesk Revit
 Nemetschek Allplan
 Autodesk AutoCAD
 Bentley Microstation
 Other: …

3. Have you done projects with the help of BIM?

 YES
 NOT
  Other: …

4. Did you have beneficiaries / developers who requested your design in BIM?

 YES
 NOT
 Other: …

5. What are the main benefits you identify with using BIM?

6. What are the main challenges that BIM brings to your company?

7. Regarding your current way of working, what would be the changes brought by
working in the BIM platform?

 Productivity
 Precision
 Workflow with other collaborators
 Control
 Other: …

8. What would lead you to use BIM exclusively in your projects in the future?

9. What are your specific needs regarding BIM objects at each stage of a project?

10. Are you a member of a cluster or community that aims to implement BIM?

 YES
 NOT
 Other : …

3.4. Qualitative interview

Out of the desire to omit the possible errors that occurred after the survey and for a
clearer picture of the adoption of BIM and the role that Romanian clusters play in this
innovation, I came in addition to the questionnaire with a series of interviews, conducted either
by phone or online meetings. This series of one-on-one interviews helped me to clarify the
misunderstandings and a more concrete interpretation of the big picture.
 FGIs were made on the part of some of the respondents to the questionnaire with
participants from various disciplines involved in the AEC industry, namely: Architects,
designers, developers, construction companies or general contractors, with a relatively uniform
distribution at national level:
These FGIs were performed for:
- Identify the differences in awareness, expectations and perception of BIM in different
disciplines and areas of the country;
- Identify the needs of the industry and the technological requirements for the implementation of
the BIM in particular.
- To analyze collaboration platforms based on documents from the AEC industry.
This FGI practice allows us to extract essential and relevant and detailed information and
intervenes as a complement to the survey conducted. This analysis also provides a benchmark for
assessing strengths and limitations.

3.5. Practical issues conclusion

In view of the arguments on the lower adoption of BIM in SMEs a theoretical model is
developed to conceptualize the interactions between AEC SMEs, BIM adopters. As evident, the
nature of the interaction is to provide BIM adoption services to AEC SMEs. However, the key
terms of the interaction involve marketing, pricing and the delivery of the traded services and its
quality assurance and control. Affiliation in this model denotes the conscious efforts of each side
to invest in specific actions which are essential to provide direct interaction with each other.
Providing the direct interaction between BIM adopters and SMEs distinguishes this model from
the traditional type in which SMEs need to recruit a full-time BIM manager or procure a BIM
consultant and spend large overheads on that. The bottom line is that smaller groups of project
participants and shorter project duration make it simpler to achieve the benefits of BIM, its
adoption in higher levels and possible swift organizational changes. It is revealed that different
organizational structures of SMEs require different skills, training and equipment for BIM
implementation. It is further identified that the cost of BIM implementation in SMEs are higher
than that of in large counterparts due to the demerits of software acquisitions. In fact, due to the
limited resources available for SMEs, implementing BIM takes considerable risk.
 The barriers of BIM adoption in SMEs are, according to the literature distributed in into
three main clusters, namely of the supply chain, organizational and project barriers. Supply
chain barriers comprise industry and institutional issues in which the former group indicates the
barriers stemmed from the location, market and lack of demand from stakeholders and proximity
to markets where BIM is flourishing, and the latter denotes the policies, practices, knowledge
and procedures implemented by the various parties involved in the construction supply chain
surrounding the organization. Organization context covers intentions, support and commitments
of management and personnel with regard to BIM adoption, strategic objectives, resource
allocation and addressing training needs. In light of adapting MSP to overcome these challenges,
there are three key factors including innovate, offering and consume which are internalized in
MSP and linked to the sides of the business. The service providers, BIM managers and adopters,
in this case, should strive for creating innovative solutions in order to offer their BIM services
through the platform and make it available and accessible11.
The innovation campaign, handled by service providers, could focus on alleviating the
industry-based barriers by getting stakeholders familiar with BIM adoption benefits, sharing
knowledge and expertise, lowering the adoption costs and providing accessible and affordable
BIM services. According to the model, consume is another internalized factor of MSP which is
bilaterally linked to the customer side; AEC SMEs. This connection could be exerted to resolve
the organizational barriers by facilitating the connection of management and staff of SMEs with
the service providers and platform and motivate them to invest in the affiliation. The offering is
the third internal factor of MSP which is exclusively managed by the platform and refers to the
regulatory role of MSP in balancing the model. Among the BIM adoption barriers discussed, it is
in the equivalence relation with the institutional barriers and its policy and procedure elements.
In fact, the platform is responsible for regulating and tweaking how the model works in
order to maximize its efficiency and competitiveness. Eventually, the whole model is positively
influenced by the network effect. This is the virtue which affects the model on two levels. In the
lower level, the number of AEC SMEs and BIM adopters as customers and service providers
increase in light of the network-based function of the platform leading to a more prosperous
market for BIM adoption in the construction industry. Likewise, in the upper level, this effect

11
Multi-sided Platforms: A Business Model for BIM Adoption in Built Environment SMEs Saeed Banihashemi,
Hamed Sarbazhossein, Sisira Adikari, Farshid Hosseini and M. Reza Hosseini
enhances the platform popularity, value and its competitive edge resulting in expanding MSPs in
the built environment.
Following the realization of FGI, we were able to form a concrete opinion depending on
the field of activity in the AEC industry. Therefore, a high level of use of BIM is identified
among architecture companies, especially among large companies that are familiar with the use
of BIM and are aware of the benefits of its use, but claims that the beneficiaries / project
developers do not know in detail these benefits and surprisingly you have no requests from them.
Although it largely presents to the beneficiaries the benefits of using BIM, it does not fall within
the selection criteria of the architecture company, from the point of view of the beneficiary.

Another segment of the AEC industry that uses BIM extensively and considers it of real
use are installation design companies. Due to the complexity of the work done, they consider the
use of BIM to be of real use and the most important aspect for them is to avoid design errors by
using it. BIM allows them both greater design accuracy and a much better subsequent
collaboration with the companies involved in the project. According to FGI, installation
designers are the biggest proponents of BIM implementation at the national level and believe that
in this way a huge difference in design quality can be made between companies that use BIM
and those that go by traditional means.

In the field of architecture firms, there is a lower appetite for the use of BIM in FGI, the
interior design companies that use very little or no BIM. They have an overview of the benefits
of BIM but are not deeply structured and do not consider it necessary for the time being to use it
in the projects they carry out. They did not have any requests from the beneficiaries to use BIM
and therefore the majority consider at this time a waste of time and resources for the
implementation of BIM that do not have a short and medium term impact, which is why it is not
of interest.

Another category that appreciates the use of BIM nationwide and already uses it,
although to a lesser extent than they would like, is that of Project Management companies. With
a greater power of specialized human resources, the project management companies are together
with the main design companies users of BIM at national level and also those who encourage and
support its implementation on a large scale at national level. One of the main factors identified in
Project management companies is the know-how coming from the foreign companies they
belong to and the specialized management that has a greater inclination towards evolution and
that understands the benefits arising from the long-term implementation of BIM. They also point
out that BIM implies a much better collaboration between the companies involved in the
development of a project and a low risk of human error intervention, one of the biggest problems
encountered in the classical procedure.

Investors along with the builder are the leaders of the ranking in terms of what BIM
knowledge means, both in terms of correctly identifying the benefits and the interest given for a
detailed documentation of what it implies and results from it. Although both categories are in a
coded place, the vision and motives are slightly different.

Romanian construction companies have an outdated management that opposes a drastic

resistance to change and innovation. Both the technology and the innovative products on the
market are hitting the wall of the management of these companies. The lack of documentation
regarding the implementation of BIM and its benefits is a general problem in the case of
construction companies at the national level. The lack of top management in the younger
generation can also be a general consequence of such an approach. Also, an advanced
management and especially with low managerial skills is a common framework often found
among construction companies nationwide. Their fear of digitalization, as well as the lack of
qualified staff has generated this major impact on construction companies in Romania. Along
with construction companies, project beneficiaries and construction developers are another
category that has failed to assimilate the necessary information regarding innovations in the field
and especially the BIM implementation process. Although architecture companies try to outline
these benefits to developers, in the absence of detailed documentation on this phenomenon, the
expected result cannot be reached.

From the detailed situation presented above on each actor, the conclusion is a general
one: the lack of information and documentation on the BIM phenomenon, leads to a precarious
situation such as that in Romania at present.

Here is our next recommendation, regarding the clusters developed at national level
whose main purpose is innovation. These clusters have the role of informing and documenting
what innovation in the field of AEC means and the purpose of facilitating access to this
information both at a low cost and with a remarkable time saving. Through the members and the
 specialized management with the necessary know-how and experience, these clusters can make a
real revolution of innovation and technologicalization at national level.

I made a follow-up analysis based on the available documentation regarding the

implementation of BIM and the conclusions drawn from the series of interviews that preceded
the survey and I came to the following conclusions:

Type of company Level of knowledge Degree of implementation

North and West Romania
EU
Architects High High High Medium
Planners Very high High High - Very high Medium - High
Construction companies High Very low Medium - High Very low
Developers High Very low Medium - High Very low
Construction materials High Medium Medium - High Medium
companies
Facility Management Medium - High Very low Medium Very low

Very low / Low / Medium / High / Very high

According to the centralization of the table above, the conclusion is as obvious as

possible: The higher the awareness of the benefits and the knowledge of how BIM works, the
higher the interest presented for its implementation increases. In the interviews I found that the
employees of multinationals in both construction and design, but not least the companies that
supply construction materials and installations on the Romanian market, are much better
documented in terms of BIM functionality and their benefits, than companies with fully
Romanian capital that have proven to have very vague knowledge of the concept.

What these interviews highlight is the fact that the higher the level of awareness and
knowledge of BIM, the higher its implementation or desire for implementation. Thus, the
proposal is as concrete as possible, namely the media coverage of the benefits. One of the main
media channels is the introduction of the BIM discipline in the university curriculum. However,
this cannot have an effect in the short and medium term and thus, we found as a very important
step in this approach the media coverage of the existence of clusters at national level.
 4. Study case : The role and advantages of clustering

In a context as ambiguous as the implementation of BIM in Romania today, clusters

businesses today are considered a strategic tool that allows companies, especially those in the
category of SMEs, to be competitive both nationally and internationally. This one, due to the fact
that the major objective of any cluster is to achieve competitiveness and a economic
performance.
Although not yet popular at the national level, Romanian clusters have begun to shyly
gain a well-deserved place in the evolution of the AEC industry and especially in issues related
to innovation such as the implementation of BIM, green buildings, etc.
Innovation requires real - time knowledge of market trends and even the possibility of
anticipation of them, and at the same time, the rapid response to change and flexibility in the
case changes. To start a new business or to develop an existing business you need identification
of specific unsatisfied or insufficiently satisfied needs, of the existence of feedback and its
analysis Because we already live in an interconnected world where access to information,
especially to specialized information is vital, networking has become a necessity for companies
in particular for the small and medium ones. Networking between large companies and small and
medium enterprises (SME) is an opportunity to have access to information and the exchange of
information in a timely manner and without a very high consumption of resources. Networking is
a starting point for most clustering initiatives. Clusters provide a context in which economic
actors can exchange information with others cluster partners. At the same time, today's business
world is proving to be a successful business increasingly dependent on an environment that
fosters cooperation and innovation. In this context, we can say that for the Romanian companies,
and also for those from East European, clustering is a source of competitive advantage. Thus,
specialized clusters are seen as organizations that offer you the necessary support and
knowledge, through well-documented staff with experience in the field to establish a WIN-WIN
relationship.
One of the actors participating in this innovation called BIM, whose role is very
important are the specialized clusters that help to implement BIM and thus provide support to
companies, especially SMEs for their evolution in innovation. Joining such clusters plays an
extremely important role for those who have understood the major advantages of such an
organization.
There are three key indicators that can be used to evaluate the performance of a cluster:
 The competitiveness of the cluster,
 The growth of the cluster and
 The degree of achievement of the set objectives.

An indicator of the performance of a cluster is the innovative result that is defined by several
factors: the number of patents, the growth rate of the establishment of enterprises, the value of
venture capital investments, the number of newly listed enterprises at stock exchange or the
number of companies in the cluster that have the strength to occupy a relevant position globally.
The factors that determine the performance of a cluster are numerous, but the most I consider the
following important: Access to specialized human resources We all know that at the
organizational level, the development of human capital is a decisive source competitive
advantage, a determinant of the organization's competitiveness. Unfortunately, most small and
medium enterprises in our country have a shortage acute resources, facilities and technical
knowledge. In the face of environmental challenges, companies large sizes respond by their
ability to reduce costs (as an effect of savings scale), by supporting expensive research and
development programs, materialized in technologies or new products, but small and medium-
sized businesses do not always have these possibilities. Even if they have the advantage of higher
flexibility and adaptability, these companies become vulnerable in the face the challenges and
demands of today's business environment, an environment characterized by trends
regionalization and internationalization of business and, lately, dominated by the economic crisis
world. Under these conditions, how will small and medium-sized enterprises be able to obtain or
maintain competitiveness, using the development of human capital as a source of competitive
advantage? Integration within a cluster can be a possible solution due to the fact that within The
cluster is continuously running a series of specialized processes related to human resources, and
these processes are performance generating. These processes include:
- identifying people with special skills needed for the innovation process, and thus
obtaining the innovation result of the cluster, through a continuous process of recruiting a
specialized human resources;
 - continuous training and practice of specialized training which is a key condition a
consolidation and development of the cluster and is supported by both businesses and
specialized institutes. Thus, the cluster comes to have employees with general experience,
but also by specialists in certain fields, which gives it a certain stability of the force of
work and even a better delimitation of tasks;
- the development of a new type of organizational culture conducive to innovation, a
culture that goes beyond the boundaries of the enterprise and is based on a number of
values, the most important of which is innovation.
Therefore, the cluster can be considered a source of specialized labor, in AEC industry in
the case covered by this thesis, with a high mobility. Transaction costs for identification,
selection and employment are low because companies can relatively easily find specialized
human resources in the cluster. Access to specialized knowledge and technologies. The new
value model of the cluster is based on specialized knowledge and technologies which imprints a
character of its uniqueness. A company that acts individually, especially if it is part of the SME
category, would not have access to such knowledge and technologies to support innovation.
From the point of view of knowledge management, the performance of the cluster will be
measured also by the degree of assurance of the specialized knowledge and their quality, as well
as by how to create new knowledge. This is done through close collaboration between R&D
institutes, universities and other cluster organizations. Clusters also improve the innovation and
transfer process technology. In this way, new standards can be set, new technology transferred
and improved production process.
Technology transfer is the transmission of knowledge used in the production of goods
and the provision of services, enabling enterprises receiving this knowledge to improve those
products or services to be more competitive in the marketplace. If clusters, the process can be
considered essentially a way of connection and technological cooperation between existing
enterprises in the cluster, which provide or receive knowledge. Thus, a transfer of intellectual
capital and know-how between organizations for development and marketing the products and
services of the companies in the cluster. Collaboration between organizations, improving
communication, exchanging information strategist. The main institutional factors that contribute
to the performance of the cluster are the following: government, universities and specialized
research centers, collaborating institutes and enterprises. They have an important role to play in
encouraging and supporting clustering initiatives governments, through policies to promote
science and innovation, and also local government. An important role, even central to economic
clusters, must be played by businesses. The companies in the cluster are characterized by the
following roles play an active role for improving the competitive environment, communicates
the requirements of local universities, institutes of research and training centers, actively
contributes to the development activities of the cluster, participates active in the activities of the
cluster to identify new opportunities for collaboration, contributes to programs that support new
businesses, etc. Every successful business needs detailed information to improve quality
competitive strategies and management flexibility to the new requirements of the international
market. Improving communication between cluster organizations due to proximity and
increasing trust with other businesses is an important advantage of this type organization. The
exchange of strategic information is an advantage of the cluster, contributing significant to the
good substantiation of business decisions. Facilitating access to the market, especially the
external one Clusters are crucial for market access, especially external access and especially for
SMEs. Small businesses can enter the internal market, but only in very few cases can they
competitive in remote markets, if they are not part of a local network of competencies
complementary. Group exports may allow companies to exceed certain individual limits and
enter the foreign market. Reducing transaction costs and joint allocation of resources
By improving communication, there is a decrease in the costs associated with running
contracts and choosing business partners. Clusters also facilitate specialization and help in a way
effectively entrepreneurs to invest little by little, depending on the resources and skills they have.
Thus, relationships can be developed within certain associations formed within the cluster close
with financial institutions. The cluster demonstrates that competing organizations can work
together if they can a mutually beneficial way of collaboration, based on the "win - win"
principle.
All the factors presented above and which determine the performance of a cluster can be
considered in fact endogenous advantages of the cluster, with positive effects on enterprises and
on the industry to which they belong. These benefits can be doubled by a number of other
benefits we can call them exogenous advantages, and which contribute to the attractiveness of
the region and to regional growth. These advantages include: encouraging direct investment
flows, new start-ups enterprises, the creation of new jobs, the emergence of new human
settlements, the increase of value added etc.
Therefore, clusters offer a number of advantages for both participating and non -
participating companies for the area or region they belong to. We must also note that one of the
characteristics of clusters is the organization flexible, each company carrying out certain
activities according to market requirements and cluster strategy.
In this context, we can say that the cluster is the ideal framework to present several companies
under the same brand, according to a common marketing policy, to capitalize on common
resources and skills. It is itself an innovation in the field that thus helps both a faster evolution
and a better market penetration.
Another benefit for participating companies is that, within a cluster, the young companies
have the chance to learn from those with experience, participating together in activities of
information, training, marketing, purchase of fixed or mobile assets, producing and selling in
common infrastructure construction. In conclusion, we can consider that in today's business
world, dominated by change and devastated by the global economic crisis, clusters can be a
possible solution or path to competitiveness and economic performance.
For our country, clusters have the potential to create more added value than a company
isolated. At the same time, clusters are the solution for many SMEs to be able to progress
technologically and reduce operating and distribution costs. In a global approach, clusters as
forms of organization, facilitates the crystallization of a new investment strategy, oriented mainly
towards shaping a competitive advantage based on knowledge.
Clusters are geographical concentrations comprising enterprises, universities and research
institutes, as well as local or regional authorities, and due to this they attract specialized
suppliers, they can select from one labor pool, have access to information. By facilitating this
dynamism of the workforce, of specialization and of the exchange of information all the types of
enterprises can benefit from the local innovation potential, she encourages entrepreneurship as
well as increasing productivity, wages and number of jobs. Clusters are characterized by a
flexible organization, each member fulfills certain activities, has a role established according to
the strategy of the cluster and the requirements market. Clusters have been seen as a tool to
promote and sustain competitiveness, innovation, growth at all levels regardless of the field in
which it operates. In most cases, the association initiative in a cluster has influenced the
company's strategy, improved competitiveness because the added value provided has increased,
and the authorities have rethought public policies and analyzed everything from the new
perspective of the economy regional.
Technology Enabled Construction (TEC) is an innovation cluster, founded in 2019, that
brings together organizations from the private sector, academia and research, the associative
environment and the public environment, based on common members' values and medium and
long-term goals. on increasing competitiveness through innovation, co-creation and integration
throughout the value chain in the construction industry. The cluster aims, by 2025, to become the
network of the most dynamic and innovative construction companies in Romania by increasing
competitiveness and integration into European networks, through digitalization and continuous
innovation.
Thus, the TEC Cluster - "Technology enabled construction" aims to become by 2025 the
network of the most dynamic and innovative construction companies in Romania by increasing
competitiveness and integration into European networks, through digitalization and continuous
innovation, becoming also an actor reference in the promotion of innovation throughout the
industry and thus will make a significant contribution to the implementation of the BIM, being
one of the issues addressed in this initiative. The mission of the cluster is focused on increasing
the competitiveness and market share of cluster members, by increasing the quality of products /
services / technologies, by strengthening cooperation between cluster members, by staff
qualification and adopting innovative design-execution techniques, by implementing activities
research and development, through the joint promotion of the offer.
In Romania, construction companies have started the digitization process, at the initiative of
the TEC cluster - Technology Enabled Construction, together with social partners, academia, as
well as members of the Romanian Government and the European Commission. During the
international event "INNOCONSTRUCT - Innovation in the construction industry -
Digitization", which took place in May 2022, the most important objectives for the
modernization of the AEC industry were presented, one of the weakest digitized areas in the EU.
Slowly but surely, Romanian clusters are making their presence felt more and more and are
beginning to participate in the development of the AEC industry. Following the adoption of the
standardization of innovative design and execution techniques and the qualification and retention
of staff, experts estimate that, over time, project lead times will be reduced and costs will be
service providers as well as direct beneficiaries cți. Another objective discussed was the
development of strategic partnerships between the private sector and universities, through the
implementation of research and innovation, in order to develop and adopt new products, services
or technologies in the field.
According to the EU Digital Strategy, only 17% of SMEs have successfully integrated
innovative technologies into their businesses, compared to 54% of large companies, and
Romania is among the countries with the lowest level of digitalization in the EU. Addressing this
gap is a priority for the EU, given the 2030 targets for a threshold of 90% of companies that have
adopted digital technologies and 80% of the population with acquired digital skills.

4.1. Research Analysis 

Adapting to BIM technology brings with it a number of benefits, but also a number of
constraints and challenges. One of the most important analyzes of this thesis is to highlight and
lead to mass awareness among SMEs about what BIM technology generates for business people.
To this end, the Clusters help SMEs to create an overview with a number of benefits, brought
about by technology and at the same time succeed in seeing this change as a natural evolution of
the AEC industry and to perceive the benefits in the medium and long term, not as a short-term
investment, as most SMEs in the AEC industry in emerging countries currently do, especially in
Romania.
What is a cluster? Cluster organisations are the legal entities that support the
strengthening of collaboration, networking and learning in innovation clusters and act as
innovation support providers by providing or channelling specialised and customised business
support services to stimulate innovation activities, especially in SMEs. They are usually the
actors that facilitate strategic partnering across clusters.
Clusters should be considered as regional ecosystems of related industries and
competences featuring a broad array of inter-industry interdependencies. They are defined as
groups of firms, related economic actors, and institutions that are located near each other and
have reached a sufficient scale to develop specialised expertise, services, resources, suppliers and
skills. Clusters are referred to both as a concept and a real economic phenomenon, the effects of
which, such as increasing the efficiency and quality of construction or better use of resources in
order to support green construction, with low impact of the CO2 footprint, or improvement of
BIM implementation, can be measured.

SMEs can get the following benefits thanks to the clusters tools and services:

 Access to knowledge on the best available technologies and business models

 Better management of energy, water and material costs
 Compliance checks for upcoming regulations
 Become less dependent on suppliers
 Demonstrate return on investment when adopting resource efficient measures
 Information on funding sources and technology providers
 Help building a green image which helps target new customer markets

The rolls of the cluster in the AEC industry is to offers the following to SME intermediaries:
- Tools and instruments for businesses to asses their savings potential
- An opportunity to showcase their technologies
- Access to top international knowledge, technical expertise and practices on resource
efficiency
- Overview of relevant support programmes available on European, national and regional
levels
- Updates on professional events within the community
- Concrete activities include.
Another important aspect of clusters is that it adds value for SMEs that join such
organizations through their international experience such as:
 The European Resource Efficiency Knowledge base
 European Resource Efficiency Self-Assessment Tool for SMEs
 News, trends, and information on support programmes
 Database and managed European network of the national and regional organisation
providing support to SMEs in resource efficiency schemes
 Capacity-building and training workshops
 4.2. Data analysis – BIM Benefits

The research results from the survey and supplemented by the results of the interviews
are aligned with the literature review, suggesting a number of major benefits for projects that
adopt BIM process applications, such as coordination, collision, 3D detection and visualization.
However, there may be additional limitations for small and medium-sized projects, compared to
large and very large projects that already have a higher degree of BIM implementation and
already enjoy these benefits without which successful implementation at a high quality standard,
it would be much harder to reach.
The results of the survey, but especially of the interviews that followed it, also highlighted the
fact that, currently, BIM processes are implemented from a technical perspective and are meant
to generate accurate and integrated 3D documentation, allowing conflict detection and
coordination between team members design.
There are a number of benefits of BIM not yet identified and / or not yet realized by
architects and other actors involved in the project. These benefits can be amplified by
participating in debates in specialized clusters or other facilitators of the ecosystem.

Diagnosis:
- detail review of current practice and identification of efficiency gains
- Production of the current design process flowcharts. To make lean process improvements it is
necessary to understand the existing practices used. First, the methods of communication in the
organization were analyzed and flow diagrams produced.
- Design of new business processes and
- Identification of lean efficiency gains technology adoption path
- Production of detail strategies
- Documentation of lean process and procedures
- Development of the knowledge management database - Documentation of BIM implementation
plan
- Implementation and roll-out of BIM
-Training the staff and stakeholders
- Devising, improving and documenting companywide capabilities and processes
- Project review, dissemination
-Sustaining new products and processing offerings
- Evaluation and dissemination of the project

4.3. Research outcomes and interpretation

The aim of the paper is to demonstrate a BIM adoption process for mapping and re-
engineering the strategic and operational processes of the company at the organisational level of
SMEs. It adopts a socio-technical view of BIM implementation in that it not only considers the
implementation of technology but also considers the socio-cultural environment that provides the
context for its implementation. An action research oriented qualitative and approach for
discovery, comparison, and experimentation has been employed in the research, followed by a
series of individual interviews with participants in this survey. The purpose of these interviews is
to form a better overview of me and to identify possible misunderstandings and to draw a
conclusion as close as possible to the reality of the perception of these actors at the national
level.
Also, another important aspect in making the decision to support a series of interviews, is
the major difference in perception on the subject of the survey, between different areas in
Romania. I identified major differences in perception between the northwestern part of Romania
compared to the southern area and I wanted to clarify this aspect through these interviews.
This series of surveys can also be seen as a double action, namely, in addition to the main
purpose, that of clarifying and identifying any ambiguities or slippage, has as its dual purpose the
desire to arouse the interest of responsible personnel in the AEC industry and to make them
aware of the possible future benefits of BIM implementation.

A successful and well-articulated vision of leaders in IT is essential for the successful

implementation of BIM technology regarding the objectives of the BIM adoption process for the
organization, the main elements of the transformation and the aspect of evolution in the different
phases. It's not about one simple vision statement; is where BIM will lead company.
 5. Theoretical reflection

The study has shown that BIM brings technical competence and competitive advantage in
the AEC industry as a whole. In the future, adopting BIM may be less risky and more cost-
effective than not doing so. As with any innovation, there is inevitably much more that can be
done with BIM, as knowledge and expertise are increasing.
Another key advantage is the opportunity to integrate greater standardisation increasing
project legacy. BIM improves accuracy, saves time and reduces costs by highlighting
inefficiencies in all processes, including planning, design, procurement, human capital, and
construction waste. More specifically, efficiency is improved in the time taken to estimate
tenders, timely allocation of labour and resources, scheduling, clash avoidance and clash
detection for all building elements.
The survey findings suggest that BIM benefits are not necessarily associated specifically
to large projects. Gradually, even in Romania, the hypothesis according to which it begins to take
shape BIM adds value to all construction projects, including smaller and meddium ones.

5.1. Limitations and future research

The limitation of this theme is primarily given by a limited sample and can easily be
applied to a much larger sample that would generate greater accuracy and also a much better
overall picture. Also, being applied at regional level, this case study can amplify the gap between
different areas of Romania more or less developed and here we know a slightly accentuated
evolution in the North-West area of Romania, compared to that of South and East.
Out of a total of 90 companies to which the questionnaire was distributed and which I
contacted by phone to interview them, 23 companies declined to participate because they were
not documented about BIM and its benefits. In the survey and interviews that followed, we
identified a number of actors involved who refused to participate in the survey, due to the fact
that, although they work in the field of AEC, they do not have a minimum knowledge of what
BIM means and involves. There were 23 participants who refused to answer the survey, of which
18 are construction engineers with project management functions and work in Romanian SMEs
and 5 of them are architects specializing in interior design.
Given the fact that Romania is part of the Balkan countries, emerging countries located in
Eastern Europe, the study can easily be extended to neighboring countries such as Bulgaria, in
the first phase, but not only.
Like any research, the reported study has limitations. We highlight the following
limitations in order to frame the context of the research findings:
• The nature of the FGI method enables the collection of more in-depth information on
the topic studied, at the same time, it also limits the number of participants compared to
quantitative methods such as questionnaries. Therefore it is argued that the findings from FGIs
are possible to be influenced by the subjective views of the participants.
• Although the FGI participants recruited for the research are key players from different
AEC disciplines who have been involved in building projects of different scales their perception
can be strongly influenced by the region in which they operate and by the influences of
multinational companies, present in the Romanian market.
Conclusions:

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a process that begins with the creation of a building
model intelligent 3D design, which is then used to facilitate the coordination, simulation and
visualization of the project. Helps owners and service providers optimize the way buildings and
infrastructure are planned, designed, built and managed. It is first and foremost a revolution in
the field of construction that should be publicized and implemented as widely as possible in the
AEC industry. BIM can also simplify the challenges facing architects, engineers, professionals in
the field of constructions and owners by offering a perspective on the project in phases design
and construction initiatives, helping to make better-informed decisions. In a project that uses the
benefits of BIM, information are coordinated and consistent, leading to increased efficiency
throughout it. BIM also optimizes planning, project estimates and control process – what
facilitates collaboration and communication.
Inevitably, the implementation of BIM affects the activity and processes, as well as the
technological tools. As you move on BIM, you need to consider how your business, processes,
and technology can change so that you can position yourself better society to reap the benefits of
BIM.
This study is a point of departure for putting forward remedial solutions for BIM
implementation in SMEs by outlining the insight toward the application of MSP as a cutting-
edge approach in business and marketing in the AEC industry. BIM adoption in AEC SMEs was
grounded upon the business model chaotic I could say, having not a concise plan so far in
Romania. Although they know the concept broadly, although they have easy access to
information and can document themselves, although they are aware of the emergence of clusters
in the field, the actors involved in this study are resistant to technologicalization and change.
Low managerial skills, lack and fear of digitization and technology, lack of qualified staff
and a long-term strategy are just some of the main factors identified that undermine this industry.
The barriers of BIM adoption in SMEs including industrial, institutional and organizational were
correlated with three key elements of MSP as innovate, offering and consume. As the main
contribution of this study, theorizing BIM adoption and management services in MSP empowers
AEC SMEs to expand their competitive edge on and enhance their core businesses in the
meantime of achieving benefits from the best service providers which offer immediate access to
BIM implementation. This advantage could lower the adoption overheads and maximize BIM
diffusion into the construction industry. However, the findings should be considered with caution
due to a number of limitations in conducting the present study. That is, the model is conceptual
and still in its preliminary stage and so, it may not be directly applicable to the practice. It needs
further improvement and refinement by collecting empirical evidence and model validation.
Moreover, other business models can be also investigated in order to identify their similarity and
discrepancy and feasibility in application to the research issue.
One of the main impediments identified after the FGI is that it does not have a long-term
strategy and thus the perception of the costs of implementing BIM is totally erroneous. Among
the companies that know this concept but do not use it, I noticed an increased reluctance due to
the implementation cost and the qualified staff.
The research of this problem debated in the dissertation thesis leads to a better awareness of
the situation of the AEC industry, of the problems encountered and to a better vision of possible
innovation solutions. The first step in the innovation process is the awareness of the benefits
brought by the specialized clusters and with them the implementation of BIM on a large scale.
Among the general conclusions of this survey, followed by an FGI series and concluded with
a detailed analysis, is a complete picture of the image of innovation in the field of AEC at
national level and especially of the implementation of BIM. Unfortunately, this is not a
satisfactory one, but one that leads me to conclude that there is a lot of work to be done in the
coming years, first of all to make the market aware of the benefits of innovation and technology
and last but not least the correct perception of the implementation cost. of BIM, in terms of long-
term benefits. The main notable benefit that the actors involved should be aware of is the
increase of the quality level of the constructions but also the ease of collaboration between the
companies involved in the project and at the same time the avoidance of the costs generated by
the design and execution errors.
 6. References and annexes

1. BIM curriculum design in architecture, engineering and construction education: a systematic

review; Hamid Abdirad, Carrie S. Dossick, Ph.D.,
2. A unified BIM adoption taxonomy: Conceptual development, empirical validation and
application; Ahmed Louay Ahmeda, Mohamad Kassem;
3. BIM adoption and implementation for architectural practices; Y. Arayici, P. Coates, L.
Koskela, M. Kagioglou, C. Usher, K. O'Reilly;
4. The classification of transaction costs: the innovation in the construction industry based on
building information modeling. A case study of multilingual schools; Olga Bakhareva
5. Multi-sided Platforms: A Business Model for BIM Adoption in Built Environment SMEs;
Saeed Banihashemi, Hamed Sarbazhosseini, Sisira Adikari, Farshid Hosseini and M. Reza
Hosseini;
6. Applications of PRC (PDA, RFID,camera) in construction monitoring. In: Six International
Conference on Construction in the 21st Century (CITC-VI) “Construction Challenges in the New
Decade” (2011); Banihashemi, S., Hassanabadi, M.S., Tahmasebi, M.M.:
7. Integration of parametric design into modular coordination: a construction waste reduction
workflow. Autom. Constr. 88, 1–12 (2018); Banihashemi, S., Tabadkani, A., Hosseini, M.R.:
8. Critical success factors (CSFs) for integration of sustainability into construction project
management practices in developing countries. Int. J. Project Manag. 35, 1103–1119 (2017);
Banihashemi, S., Hosseini, M.R., Golizadeh, H., Sankaran, S.:
9. Building Information Modelling (BIM) adoption and implementation enablers in AEC firms: a
systematic literature review; Behzad Abbasnejad , Madhav Prasad Nepal , Alireza Ahankoob,
Araz Nasirian & Robin Drogemuller;

10. Building Information Modeling: Why? What? How? André Borrmann , Markus König,
Christian Koch, and Jakob Beetz
11. A review of Building Information Modelling for construction in developing countries
Nam Buiab, Christoph Merschbrockb, Bjørn Erik Munkvolda
12. Journal of Engineering, Project, and Production Management, The Theme of Risk
Management, Chua David KH
13. Innovative clusters: a solution for development economic development of Romania; Mihaela-
Cornelia DAN;
14. An overview of benefits and challenges of building information modelling (BIM) adoption in
UK residential projects; Maria Christina Georgiadou
15. Building Information Modelling (BIM) uptake: Clear benefits, understanding its
implementation, risks and challenges; Ali Ghaffarianhoseinia, John Tookeya, Amirhosein
Ghaffarianhoseinib,c, Nicola Naismitha, Salman Azhard, Olia Efimovaa, Kaamran Raahemifar
16. Understanding and facilitating BIM adoption in the AEC industry Ning Gu, Kerry London ;
17. .: Labour productivity in Iranian construction projects: perceptions of chief executive
officers. Ghoddousi, P., Poorafshar, O., Chileshe, N., Hosseini, M.R
18. Recent developments of BIM adoption based on categorization, identification and factors: a
systematic literature review; Hafiz Muhammad Faisal Shehzad , Roliana Binti Ibrahim , Ahmad
Fadhil Yusof , Khairul Anwar Mohamed khaidzir , Shahan Shawkat & Sumera Ahmad
19. Advanced ICT Methodologies (AIM) in the Construction Industry. Encyclopedia of
Information Science and Technology. IGI Global, Hershey (2017); Hosseini, M.R.,
Banihashemi, S., Zaeri, F., Adibfar, A.
20. An Overview of the Necessities, Challenges & Outcomes of Building Information Modeling
(BIM) Framework Used in Project Management; Shahid Iqbal, Muhammad Saad, Masab -Bin –
Shahid, Wajeeha Batool;
21. BIM Implementation in Mega Projects: Challenges and Enablers in the Istanbul Grand
Airport (IGA) Project; Basak Keskin, Beliz Ozorhon, and Ozan Koseoglu;
22. The role and importance of clusters in the context of the knowledge economy; Lector dr. Luţ
Dina Maria
23. Business Process Management and Building Information Modeling for the innovation of
cultural heritage restoration process; Ada Malagnino, Giovanna Mangialardi, Giorgio Zavarise,
Angelo Corallo;
24. Beyond the BIM utopia: Approaches to the development and implementation of building
information modeling Reijo Miettinen, Sami Paavola;
25 Developing critical success factors for the assessment of BIM technology adoption: Part II.
Analysis and results; Mony Moma, Meng-Han Tsaib & Shang-Hsien Hsieha;
26. BIM business value for asset owners: key issues and challenges Mustapha Munir and Arto
Kiviniemi, Stephen Jones, Stephen Finnegan;
27. Business value of integrated BIM-based asset management; Mustapha Munir and Arto
Kiviniemi, Stephen W. Jones;
28. BIM business value generation theory : a grounded theory approach Munir, MY, Kiviniemi,
A, Jones, SW and Finnegan,
29. Promoting Sustainability through Investment in Building Information Modeling (BIM)
Technologies: A Design Company Perspective by  Marius Reizgevičius, Leonas Ustinovičius,
Diana Cibulskienė, Vladislavas Kutut, Lukasz Nazarko

30. Delivering Value with BIM A whole-of-life approach Edited by Adriana X.  Sanchez, Keith
D.  Hampson and Simon Vaux

31. BIM compatibility and its differentiation with interoperability challenges as an innovation
factor; Sara Shirowzhana, Samad M.E. Sepasgozara, David J. Edwardsb, Heng Lid, Chen
Wange;

32. Virtual Generative BIM Workspace for Maximising AEC Conceptual Design Innovation: A
Paradigm of Future Opportunities; Sepehr Abrishami, Jack Goulding, Farzad Pour Rahimian,
Abdul Ganah;
33. Towards affordable bim adoption in extended construction supply chains; Tah
Joseph H.M, Zhou Wei;
34. Practices and effectiveness of building information modelling in construction
projects in China Dongping Cao, Guangbin Wang, Heng Li, Martin Skitmore, Ting
Huang, Weiyu Zhang

35. Critical Assessment of the Existing Definitions of BIM Dimensions on the Example of
Switzerland; Adrian August Wildenauer; International Journal of Civil Engineering and
Technology (IJCIET
36. Transition from Building Information Modeling (BIM) to Integrated Digital Delivery
(IDD) in Sustainable Building Management: A Knowledge Discovery Approach Based
Review; Ziwen Liu, Yujie Lu, Meng Shen, Lu Chang Peh;