Purpose: This study aims to explore the innovative capabilities of building information modeling (BIM) in construction projects. The objectives are to construct an inclusive conceptual framework of BIM-enabled construction innovation, identify the status and trends of innovation-related research in BIM publications, synthesize research pertaining to BIM-enabled construction innovation and discover core research requirements in the related body of knowledge.Design/methodology/approach: This study proposes a comprehensive theoretical framework, named innovation pyramid, comprising context, actor, artifact, process, structure and innovative task for exploring and analyzing the innovative capability of BIM in construction projects. Accordingly, mixed methods were used to perform a systematic review of research on the topic of BIM-enabled construction innovation.Findings: The findings reveal that BIM innovation-related articles have predominantly considered BIM as an innovation from a technological standpoint, while the innovative capabilities of BIM have remained under-researched with a fragmented research focus. Fertile grounds for research have emerged and call for research pertaining to entities of “structure” and “innovative task” as well as interaction, interrelations and mutually adjusting effect among the entities.Practical implications: The framework proposed may be useful for subsequent research design and for assisting project management practitioners in the use of BIM to achieve innovation more efficiently.Originality/value: This research provides an insight into the innovative capabilities of BIM based on the BIM–collaboration–construction innovation logic chain. It contributes to the body of knowledge by devising an inclusive conceptual framework of BIM-enabled construction innovation, synthesizing the state of the art and exposing the research needs in this area.

With the digital development of the construction industry, a new competence model of CPM (construction project manager) to meet the new requirements is highly needed. However, there is still a paucity of research on CPM competences in the new era, and no new CPM competence model has been constructed. To address this problem, this study uses data mining method to collect 2387 big data of recruitment advertisement in the Chinese construction market between August 2020 and October 2021 to construct a competence model of CPM in the digital era, which is called the Diamond model. The Diamond model consists of nine key competences, among which digital capability is a newly emerging one. The digital capability for CPMs is identified and classified into three levels, i.e., technology, knowledge and management. The requirements from the industry for the digital capability of CPM are mostly at the technology and knowledge levels. The results of the study provide a clear reference for both the demand and supply sides of CPM talents. Based on this, construction enterprises can formulate more accurate recruitment strategies, practitioners can dynamically benchmark themselves to the ever-changing industry needs and education, and training parties can better bridge the talent gap. Furthermore, the introduction of digital capability into the CPM competence system also provides a solid departure point for further follow-up research.

In recent years, with the intensification of climate change, the development of low-carbon buildings (LCBs) has gained great momentum, and building information modeling (BIM) is perceived as the most promising path. However, systematic integration, review, and analysis of research in the field of BIM for LCBs has been lacking, which may hinder the potential of BIM in assisting the achievement of the goal of LCBs. Therefore, this study explores the current research status of BIM for LCBs and the directions for further investigation. A hybrid literature review method was utilized, which consisted of quantitative and qualitative analyses. Firstly, a quantitative bibliometric analysis was conducted on 158 studies searched from the Web of Science core collection. The most influential institutions, journals, studies, and keywords were identified. The most often used terms were BIM, life-cycle assessment (LCA), design, construction, digital technologies (DTs), life cycle, and integration. Secondly, a systematic qualitative analysis was conducted of 117 carefully selected studies to identify the research focus of different stages (e.g., design, construction, operation, and demolition) of BIM for LCBs. The results showed that studies pertaining to BIM for LCBs mostly took a whole life-cycle perspective, followed by a focus on the design stage, while the volumes of studies focusing on BIM for LCBs in the operation and demolition stages were relatively small. Currently, research focuses on how the latest methods and technologies can be utilized to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions over the life cycle of a building, e.g., BIM-LCA and BIM combined with DTs. Lastly, the challenges and prospects of integrating BIM with LCA and emerging DTs for LCBs are discussed in depth. Five topics, such as BIM-based interdisciplinary collaboration and improving and validating the BIM integrated sustainability calculation models, are proposed as future research trends. This study points out the current research hotspots and future research trends in the field and builds a solid starting point for scholars who want to devote themselves to this field. For practitioners in LCBs, the research findings could serve as a practical reference for better understanding the potential of BIM for LCBs so as to take full advantage of BIM to more effectively realize the goal of LCBs.

As the complexity, breadth of expertise and number of agents involved in megaprojects grow, collaborative innovation models become invaluable for helping to achieve sustainable project development. On this basis, the purpose of this study is to explore the innovation output mechanisms used for collaborative innovation in megaproject (CIMP) systems by the agent-based modelling (ABM) approach, and to promote the efficiency and effectiveness of organisational collaborative innovation through variable controls. A multi-agent simulation CIMP model was developed using the NetLogo tool. The model encompasses the behavioural factors and interaction rules that affect organisational CIMP. Four simulations were conducted, and the results showed that (1) the innovation environment, including policy environment, cultural climate, and engineering demand, has a positive effect on the output rate of CIMP; (2) a larger scale of innovative network organisation accelerates innovation output; (3) innovative organisations must avoid enforcing high standards for cooperation, communication, and recognition abilities when selecting partner organisations; (4) innovative organisations’ ability to absorb technology, information, and knowledge is positively related to output, while an increase in behavioural costs reduces the scale of innovative network organisations, thereby affecting their output. This study developed its CIMP theory from the perspective of organisational behaviour. The findings are expected to provide methodological and practical guidance for the selection of innovation agents, behavioural patterns, and for guaranteeing efficient innovation in collaborative megaproject organisations.

In the context of Digital Construction (DC), collaborative innovation in the construction supply chain (CSC) is crucial for long-term competitiveness. However, transparent information flows and fickle market circumstances hinder enterprises from actively participating in collaborative innovation, making it challenging to establish effective incentive mechanisms. To achieve sustained and stable collaborative innovation, an evolutionary game model of collaborative innovation between core enterprises and member enterprises in the CSC under DC based on Prospect Theory is constructed. Five equilibrium scenarios and evolutionary stability strategies are analyzed, and the corresponding stability conditions are obtained. Finally, the impact of different parameters on strategy selection are analyzed by numerical simulation. The results indicate that the balance between knowledge sharing and knowledge leakage is the premise of the positive impact of DC technology on collaborative innovation. Moreover, the adjustment of gain sensitivity and loss sensitivity is the key to enhancing managerial enthusiasm for collaborative innovation. Furthermore, the design of income distribution and innovation incentives must adhere to the reciprocity principle, while subsidies from owners demonstrate a prominent positive impact on collaborative innovation. This paper systematically expounds the dynamic influence of DC technology application, knowledge spillover effects, and managerial cognitive structures while confirming the intrinsic effect of innovation incentive mechanisms. It provides substantial theoretical reference and management enlightenment for promoting the development of collaborative innovation in the CSC under DC.

Building information modeling (BIM) is evolving as a digital infrastructure model for innovation in the construction field. The innovation-enabling potential of BIM has been highly neglected in the literature. This study explores the innovative potential of BIM, specifically its value in enabling construction innovation (CI). Through reflective research and a literature review, the relationship between BIM and CI is redefined, BIM-CI’s value spectrum and underlying mechanisms are mapped and their required resources and activities are illustrated. The results indicate that different BIM applications provide various proinnovation environments wherein CI may flourish. Extra attention should be paid to BIM-enabled systematic collaborative innovation and digital innovation ecosystems with BIM as the core infrastructure that integrates the physical space with cyberspace to accelerate radical innovation. This study extends BIM management research by considering digital innovation and providing a new perspective for CI management theory and practice. The results will provide academics with a solid point of departure for developing relevant research and serve as a reference for practitioners who intend to utilize BIM for efficient innovation in construction projects.