Purpose This study aims to evaluate the evolution and impact of Building Information Modelling (BIM) research in the context of the construction industry’s digital transformation, by assessing key indicators such as scientific productivity, citation impact, collaboration networks, and emerging themes, and from the lens of cumulative capability development theory (CCDT). Design/methodology/approach This study utilises a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to investigate research productivity in the area of BIM. An iterative search strategy identifies the most productive BIM authors and examines their productivity over a 6-year period (2018–2024) using Elsevier’s SciVal tool and Ucinet software. The study explores the quantitative and qualitative performance of publications at the country (macro), institutional (meso), and individual (micro) levels. Findings Drawing on the results from different bibliometric analyses, at the macro level, national BIM capability development is driven by governmental initiatives, industry maturity, and cutting-edge research centers. At the meso level, specialised academic ecosystems in leading universities foster BIM knowledge and capability development. At the micro level, prominent researchers' leadership and international collaborations enhance routine and evolutionary learning capabilities. By applying the CCDT to macro, meso, and micro-level analyses, the study reveals how BIM research drives capability accumulation and supports the construction industry’s digital transformation. Originality/value This study presents the first multi-level bibliometric analysis of BIM research not confined to a specific journal, laying the groundwork for understanding the knowledge structure in this field. The evolution of BIM research themes highlights the integration of innovative approaches and the importance of interdisciplinary and international collaboration. The findings provide valuable insights into the scientific trajectory of BIM, benefiting researchers, professionals, and decision-makers in the construction sector.

Purpose Despite extensive research on building information modelling (BIM) project collaboration, prior studies have focused on traditional performance metrics, qualitative methods and formal mechanisms, leaving a gap in understanding how relational attitudes drive collaborative innovation performance. This paper aims to explore how relational attitudes (RAs) exert impacts on collaborative innovation performance (CIP) in Chinese BIM project teams. Based on the relational exchange and information processing theories, a moderated mediating model is proposed to explore the mediating role of knowledge spillover (KS) and the moderation of cognitive diversity (CD). Design/methodology/approach To gather data, this study conducted a questionnaire-based survey and collected 295 valid responses. The data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings Notably, RAs positively influence CIP. Furthermore, KS performs a significant mediating role between RAs and CIP. Additionally, the indirect effect of RAs on CIP via KS is moderated by CD, highlighting the role of team diversity in enhancing knowledge exchange and innovation in BIM projects. Originality/value Unlike previous studies that focus primarily on traditional project performance metrics, this paper concentrates on the impact of RAs on CIP from the perspective of relational exchange theory. Moreover, it significantly expands the concept of KS within the context of intelligent buildings, positioning BIM as a virtual technology platform for collaboration and innovation. The study also discusses the influence of inter-organisational team RAs and their determining factors on CIP through BIM application, based on the role of CD.

Purpose The construction industry worldwide remains male-dominated, with the underrepresentation of women at all career levels and businesses. This situation could undermine efforts toward addressing sustainable development goal (SDG) 5 for gender equality and empowerment in the industry. Hence, this study aimed to empirically assess the barriers hindering female entrepreneurs specifically within Ghana’s construction sector for suggested career development provisions. Design/methodology/approach A concurrent mixed-method research design was employed, collecting both quantitative and qualitative data in an integrated manner. Qualitative data involved semi-structured interviews with 10 female entrepreneurs in Ghana’s construction industry. Quantitative data involved an online survey of 31 female construction entrepreneurs, measuring responses to 21 variables identified in prior literature as potential barriers. The qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis, whereas the quantitative data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Subsequently, the results were compared using MAXQDA tools. Findings The qualitative findings identified nine prominent themes relating to barriers – including gender bias, work-life conflicts, lack of support networks, safety issues and access to capital and/or opportunities. The one-sample t-test utilized in analysing the quantitative data identified 13 significant barriers such as lack of role models, harassment, lack of credit access, stressful work demands, underutilization of skills and low salaries. Furthermore, the comparative model using the MAXQDA tools revealed that the empirical support and confirmation across both data sources for challenges discussed theoretically – such as gender stereotyping, work-life imbalances due to caregiving responsibilities and limited access to financing impacting business success and growth. Research limitations/implications The study highlighted discrimination, intimidation and harassment as significant issues faced by women. These findings bring to the fore the need for society and policy to realign towards changing the status quo of gender inequality within the industry. From a practical standpoint, promoting inclusion through partner networks, enforcement of clear anti-discrimination and anti-harassment workplace policies is needed. Originality/value The findings reveal socio-cultural gender biases in developing countries such as Ghana, which must be understood in order to develop appropriate strategies that will encourage inclusivity in addressing SDGs in construction in developing countries, particularly goal 5, which aims for gender equality and the empowerment of all women.

Purpose Previous studies have focused on the impact of COVID-19 on the construction industry, but little is known about how these impacts further exacerbate the effect of job quality on the mental health of the construction workforce. This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on work and depressive symptoms among males in the Australian construction industry. Design/methodology/approach The study analysed data from 526 males working in the construction industry, aged 18–55, drawn from waves 2 and 3 datasets of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health (Ten to Men). Multivariate regression modelling examined associations between job quality, the impact of COVID-19 on work and depressive symptoms. Then, a difference-in-difference regression analysis (DID) was employed to compare the effect of job quality and COVID’s impact on work on depressive symptom severity pre- and post-COVID-19. Findings The study found that 61% of participants reported COVID-19 impact on work, with work hours reduced for 33% of them but increased for 12%, while 17% worked from home. Multivariate regression analyses found a positive association between job adversities (exposure to 0/1/2+ adverse job conditions) and depressive symptoms, particularly with reported unfairness in effort–reward. Increased work hours during the pandemic exacerbated depressive symptoms. DID regression analysis revealed that increased work hours led to a significant rise in depressive symptom severity among those with high unfairness levels, while those with low unfairness levels showed no significant impact despite increased work hours. Originality/value The findings advance the knowledge of identifying job quality and the impact of COVID-19 on work that contributes to depressive symptoms, offering valuable insights for the development of management strategies to mitigate mental health risks and promote mental health recovery post-COVID-19.

Purpose In high-rise construction projects, the use of multiple tower cranes to transport materials has become common; however, optimizing their layout still poses a challenging problem. Key objectives such as minimizing costs related to crane operation (such as rental, installation, dismantling and operator wages) while reducing workdays, mitigating interruptions caused by crane overlapping and improving safety (such as preventing crane collisions and path blockages). Design/methodology/approach A mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model is proposed to optimize the number, type and location of tower cranes as well as the location and number of supply points. The MILP incorporates crane height optimization and penalties for loading, crossing and unloading within overlapping areas to tackle interference issues. Additionally, a delay penalty is introduced into the objective function to minimize workdays and material delivery delays. Findings The proposed method was validated with a real-world case study. Results show that the introduced model can manage crane overlaps optimally by assigning tasks and ranking crane heights. Unlike similar works, the proposed method is able to find a path over other cranes by determining an optimum height. Applying the proposed method in the case study resulted in a cost reduction of up to 49%. Originality/value This study extends the previous approaches by addressing critical yet underexplored factors such as the number and capacity of supply points as well as considering safety issues like avoidance of path obstructions and crane collision(s) in the mathematical model.

Purpose The lack of a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between transaction cost determinants (TCDs) and supply chain resilience (SCR) has concerned the effective and efficient management of supply chain uncertainties in the offsite construction industry. Therefore, this study aims to examine the influence of TCDs, namely asset specificity, transaction frequency, transaction uncertainty, bounded rationality and opportunism, on SCR, grounded in transaction cost theory (TCT). Furthermore, it investigates the mediating role of governance in the relationship between TCDs and SCR. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 97 Australian offsite construction supply chain partners via a questionnaire survey through a purposive sampling process. Data analysis was conducted quantitatively using partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Findings The results revealed that asset specificity, transaction frequency and transaction uncertainty were significantly associated with SCR constructs. Governance confirmed a significant mediating effect on these relationships. Interestingly, opportunism did not have a significant negative relationship with the SCR constructs, suggesting the need to explore its behaviour in enhancing SCR. Bounded rationality demonstrated a significant direct association with SCR constructs regardless of the mediating effect of governance. Originality/value This study provides novel insights by empirically testing the mediating effect of governance on the relationship between TCDs and SCR. It highlights the importance of promoting SCR with a minimum impact on the cost-effectiveness of offsite construction projects.

Purpose This study establishes a framework of green supply chain management (GSCM) in the construction project context. The purpose is to empirically validate the effect of GSCM practices on environmental and organizational performance from the sustainability perspective and explore the distinct role of contractual and relational governance in promoting GSCM practices. Design/methodology/approach This study used survey data collected from construction companies in China, with a sample of 159 responses participating in the analysis. This study applied a survey method to test the hypothesized relationships. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the hypothesized relationships based on the survey data in Chinese construction industry. Findings The results demonstrate that in construction projects, GSCM practices have a positive effect on both environmental and organizational performance. Contractual governance is not significantly related to GSCM practices, while relational governance positively influences the implementation of GSCM practices. The results further demonstrate the indirect effect of relational governance on the relationship between contractual governance and GSCM practices. Originality/value Theoretically, this study enhances the understanding of GSCM as a holistic method to integrate green practices into construction projects and reveals the distinct role of governance arrangements in greening construction supply chain, which contributes to project sustainability research. Practically, this study provides a systematic GSCM implementation framework and transformation path for the construction industry to achieve both organizational and environmental performance.

Purpose The rapid advancement of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) presents significant opportunities for the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry. However, despite their potential, UAV applications face numerous barriers, including technical, regulatory and safety challenges, which hinder their widespread adoption. While existing research highlights these challenges, it provides limited guidance on comprehensive strategies to address them, which in turn may hinder the wider adoption of UAVs. This study seeks to fill this gap by identifying the multi-dimensional challenges associated with UAVs in AEC and developing a strategic roadmap that offers actionable insights for stakeholders, facilitating safer and more efficient UAV integration. Design/methodology/approach The 24 interviews were conducted to identify the challenges and potential strategies of UAV applications in the AEC industry. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the collected text contents, qualitative analysis was used to construct a conceptual strategy roadmap and focus group meetings were used to verify the roadmap. Findings The primary technical challenges include short battery life, loss of global positioning system (GPS)/compass and UAV magnetic interference. The critical safety risks are collisions, falls and absence of safety awareness among remote pilots and workers. Additionally, some practitioners struggled to meet operational requirements while maintaining the productivity of AEC flight operations. Furthermore, existing remote pilot training programs are generic and lack trade-specific training content. Research limitations/implications Despite the valuable benefits and contributions of this study, it is essential to acknowledge certain limitations encountered, which are outlined below. It is essential to note that the respondents in this study primarily came from Hong Kong, and the challenges may vary in different countries or regions. However, it is worth mentioning that the study interviewed specialists with international project experience who provided their insights from a global perspective. Practical implications This study contributes to a better understanding of the multi-dimensional challenges and strategies of UAV adoption in the AEC industry. The strategic roadmap will guide stakeholders to take proper actions for the safe integration of UAVs into the AEC industry. Originality/value This empirical study contributes to understanding stakeholders’ needs and engagement with regard to the new technology adoption. It also proposes a novel strategic roadmap for addressing the challenges through collaborative efforts among all relevant stakeholders, promoting safe and efficient UAV uses in the AEC sector.

Purpose This study introduces the heritage city risk dimension of the urban rail transit (URT) projects. It aims to identify the risk factors affecting URT projects within the unique context of heritage-rich cities, exploring their interrelation and evaluating critical factors. Design/methodology/approach The research adopts a multi-case exploratory study to identify the unique challenges faced by URT projects in heritage-rich environments, followed by a comprehensive risk assessment framework integrating Fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), Analytic Network Process (ANP) and Risk Interaction Network (RIN) analysis to assess identified risks in the context of Kathmandu Valley. Additionally, a risk response action is simulated using RIN analysis. Findings About 16 risk factors were identified from the case studies and evaluated using the proposed risk assessment methodology. The study reveals a highly interconnected risk environment, with heritage impact-related factors exerting the strongest causative influence on cost and social engagement factors. Community opposition (R8) shows the highest betweenness centrality, indicating its central position in risk propagation across the network. Cost-related risk, social demand contingency (R2) ranked as the most critical. Simulations of a targeted risk avoidance strategy showed that addressing only three key high-betweenness centrality factors (R5, R8 and R15) reduced overall risk interactions by 46%, simplifying the risk network, reducing project complexity and improving manageability. Practical implications The findings emphasize that project managers, urban planners and policymakers should integrate heritage preservation concerns when planning and executing URT projects in heritage-rich cities. Moreover, the research highlights that effective community engagement serves as a key strategy for reducing risk propagation and plays a crucial role in overall project risk management. Originality/value The study contributes to the underexplored context of URT projects in heritage-rich cities, providing a comprehensive risk management framework for identifying and assessing project risks intersecting with urban development imperatives and heritage conservation objectives.

Purpose Unlike the design or planning phases, the construction phase necessitates the coordination of multiple project stakeholders, real-time problem-solving and effectively managing physical resources under fluctuating site conditions. However, recent green rating systems are not yet designed to accommodate the unique nature of this stage. Thus, this study aims to develop an empirical measurement model to evaluate the performance of green construction sites (GCS), focusing on the Vietnamese construction industry. Design/methodology/approach Initially, a list of assessment criteria was identified by reviewing previous studies and semi-structured interviews. After that, a questionnaire survey was used to collect practitioners’ views regarding GCS performance. The 155 valid responses were analyzed employing the fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) method. Findings The findings showed that the performance of GCS in Vietnam is at a moderate level, with a GCS index of 5.48. Indeed, the human-related factor was the most significant performance group for GCS in Vietnam. Construction site, energy, innovation and material-related factors were among the average performance factors. Moreover, water and waste-related factors were among the lowest performance factors. Originality/value This study highlights the importance of human-related factors, such as worker safety and environmental training, in achieving effective GCS performance. It is recommended that governments should enforce stricter guidelines on using low-embodied carbon materials, sustainable sourcing and effective waste management to improve GCS performance. Neighboring countries can also use valuable insights from this study to enhance their GCS performance.