Colleagues or Friends? Comparing Communication and Advice Networks for Business Information Modeling (BIM) Implementation in Construction Projects

Abstract

We examine how formal task-oriented communication and informal knowledge-oriented advice networks for building information modeling (BIM) implementation in construction projects exhibit different macrostructural characteristics and microformation mechanisms. The results show that while the two networks have some shared connections, individuals are more densely connected and centrally embedded within triads in the communication network than in the advice network. The results further show that the formation of these networks is differently driven by BIM implementation behaviors and individual demographic characteristics, suggesting that managers need to contingently design measures to facilitate task coordination and knowledge exchange for innovation implementation among heterogeneous participants in temporary projects.