ANALYSIS OF THE UNDERLYING FACTORS AFFECTING BIM-LCA INTEGRATION IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: A FACTOR ANALYSIS APPROACH
Description
The integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an effective means of achieving sustainability in the built environment. This study evaluates the barriers to BIM-LCA integration in the GCI from the perspective of construction professionals. Interpretivism and postpositivist guided the epistemological development of pertinent theory that was analytically tested using primary quantitative data. A comprehensive literature review was first conducted to identify and examine the barriers related to BIM-LCA integration. Data on the barriers to BIM-LCA integration was solicited using structured survey questionnaires that were administered to 216 Ghanaian construction professionals. Data was then analysed using factor analysis. Findings revealed three clusters of barriers viz.: 1) organisational barriers; 2) technical complexity; and 3) knowledge and education. The paper concludes with future research direction which could examine how artificial intelligence and machine learning could improve BIM-LCA integration in building designs. The research delineated provides the first novel and insightful knowledge on the barriers to BIM-LCA adoption in Ghana. Practical recommendations for overcoming these barriers are also proposed, e.g., developing standardised procedures and protocols, increasing awareness and education, and integrating BIM-LCA into project management systems.