Social network analysis (SNA) is a significant tool for analyzing networks in complex project management that examines the actors’ interdependence in iterative and interactive social structures. It can also be used for nonsocial structure analysis. The potential of SNA might be extended significantly if the application of it to complex project management is clarified. The objectives of the present review are threefold: (1) to clarify the interpretation of SNA metrics, (2) to identify SNA applications to complex-project-management knowledge areas, and (3) to reveal the uses of SNA in nonsocial structures of complex networks. The authors conducted a qualitative systematic review on the basis of 65 peer-reviewed publications to identify 38 SNA metrics and concepts in nine complex-project-management knowledge areas. The findings show that SNA is a useful tool for application to the analysis of nonhuman resource networks and can be used for strategic planning and the improvement of project transmission efficiency and interdisciplinary interactions. The authors also delineate future studies and potential applications of SNA to provide new insights into advancing the use of SNA for analyzing and mitigating complex-project-management issues.

Engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracting does not promote collaboration and thus may not be suitable for building information modeling (BIM) projects. Joint-contract functions that combine contractual control, coordination, and contingency adaptability may positively influence the performance of these BIM-enabled projects. This study hypothesized that perceived fairness, calculative trust, relational trust, and positive outcomes of distrust influence the relationship between joint-contract functions and BIM-enabled project performance. A total of 252 observations were collected from industry practitioners in EPC oil and gas projects and analyzed using partial least-squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results show no direct effect of joint-contract functions on BIM-enabled EPC project performance but do show significant total and indirect relationship effects that are influenced by perceived fairness and relational trust. The findings contribute to construction contracting research by empirically showing how formal contracts focusing on joint-contract functions can influence BIM-enabled EPC project performance. The current findings also shed light on appropriate contract framing for BIM-enabled EPC project stakeholders, an area not explored in the previous literature.

Although there are many discussions of the legal implications of BIM, none of the studies provides a comprehensive review of the legal issues associated with BIM; nor do they evaluate the solutions currently available to address the issues. This paper aims to provide a critical review of the legal issues arising from using BIM and of their associated solutions. A systematic review was conducted of fifty-five (55) journal articles and conference papers published from 2007 to 2017 to identify the legal issues. The identified legal issues were then analysed in relation to the solutions provided by the construction industry. The results of the study revealed that (1) an alternative project delivery approach that does not modify the original orientation of the design-bid-build procurement structure is required to deliver BIM effectively. (2) The potential change in the standard of care for project participants due to additional roles required in delivering BIM needs further investigation. (3) The roles for auditing a BIM delivery system must be included in the contracts to ensure the quality and compliance of BIM deliverables. The study not only reviews the legal issues associated with BIM, but more importantly, it also offers significant insights for future research.

Both contractual and relational governances affect building information modeling (BIM) collaboration and implementation (BCI) to improve project performance. However, the mechanism by which these governances and their interaction influence BCI remains undetermined. Considering transaction cost economics and social exchange theories, this study aimed to investigate the extent of the effect of contractual and relational governances and their interactions on improving BCI. We developed a series of hypotheses and a questionnaire to achieve the aims of the study. The partial least-squares structural equation modeling was applied to analyze the cause–effect relationship arising from the hypotheses. The results show contractual and relational governances affect BCI positively. Contractual governance, which consists of monitoring elements in safeguarding provisions, positively affect BCI and project performance. However, there is no effect found for safeguarding provisions that define the rights of parties in the contract. The study also reveals that contractual governance does not influence relational governance in BCI. This research provides new insights to project managers on the use of effective governance mechanisms to deliver BIM-enabled megaprojects for improving project performance.

Drawing on transaction cost theory as well as social exchange perspective, this study investigates the influence of prior ties on trust and contract functions—contractual control, coordination, and contingency adaptability—for improving building information modeling (BIM)–enabled engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) megaproject performance. This study compares questionnaire data collected from stakeholders in oil and gas megaprojects with and without prior working relationships and uses partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze the relationship between trust, contract functions, and project performance in prior ties and nonprior ties model. The results reveal that trust influences project performance via contract functions significantly in both models. This study found that parties without a prior working relationship are more willing to rely on contractual control to improve project performance, whereas contracting parties with a prior working relationship are more likely to use contingency adaptability to enhance project performance. The findings of this study expand the theoretical understanding of how the trust engendered from prior ties influences the formation of contract functions to improve the performance of BIM-enabled EPC megaprojects.