An Investigation of how Digital BIM-objects can be a Competitive Strategy for Material Suppliers in the Construction Industry.
Abstract: The construction industry has in general been rather slow in its implementation of new digital solutions compared to other industries. To date, only a handful of material suppliers are offering a service of so-called digital BIM-objects of their products. These 'digital product copies' can be utilized in projects' BIM-models for several purposes, being favorable to the design team and contractors. The advantages related to digitalization in connection to material suppliers have not been studied to a greater degree; hence this fact forms a ground for this study. The purpose of this study is to challenge the analog methods and processes that traditionally have been, and are still practiced widely. In a broader perspective, this study aims to encourage more material suppliers to create digital BIM-objects by answering how this could be a competitive strategy. This study is designed as a collective case study, including four different material suppliers on the Swedish market being at the forefront of digitalization. Their digital journey and experiences constitute a great resource to share within the construction industry. Each case in this collective case study represents a type of building component, namely; windows (1), profile and ventilation sheets (2), facade systems (3), and doors (4). Empirical data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Except from the material suppliers in the collective cases, also a selection of their partners participated. A total of nine interviews were performed, resulting in a total of 12 interviewees. The interviews' raw data was used to generate a thematic structure. This structure organized the empirics to simplify the after-coming interpretation and analysis. This study shows that users to the digital BIM-objects, such as digitalized designers and contractors, tend to work toward those material suppliers who can offer continuously developed and well-supported digital BIM-object. Also, combining digital BIM-objects with close relations could potentially generate invitations to an early phase of projects where the material supplier in question is later being procured in a somewhat streamlined and digital process. This manner still relies on innovative pilot-projects since analog methods are in the majority. However, efforts today could ensure the material suppliers not be out-of-competition for future projects as arising new digital and open mindsets pave the way.
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