Building information modelling (BIM) teams, hereafter referred to as BIM-based construction networks, are teams whose possibly geographically dispersed members from various organisations and disciplines, perform project tasks on BIM-enabled projects. In recent years, BIM-based construction networks have progressively become the norm in executing BIM activities on projects. However, even though achieving BIM’s full capabilities relies on effective collaboration among the team members in BIM-based construction networks, it is still a struggle for these members to collaborate. Nonetheless, only a few studies have been conducted to identify the barriers to strengthening team collaboration in BIMbased construction networks. To address this gap, the current study, by examining 73 journal articles on collaboration in BIM-based construction networks, builds upon a theoretical review of the literature. A conceptual model is presented to capture the main barriers to collaboration in BIMbased construction networks. The study benefits researchers as well as project managers. For researchers, the conceptual model provides an intermediate theory, namely, a theoretical basis to direct further knowledge creation attempts on the topic. In addition, the conceptual model supports project managers on BIM-enabled projects. That is, it simplifies the knowledge now available for practical applications enabling it to be translated into guidelines and practical instructions on real-life projects.

Introduction

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is progressively permeating the construction industry, due to its potential capabilities in improving project practices in design, procurement, pre-fabrication, construction and postconstruction (Cao et al., 2017a; He et al., 2017). Construction projects enabled by BIM are typically delivered through deploying BIM-based construction networks (BbCNs) (Mignone et al., 2016) in which teams comprising members from specialist organisations are contracted to execute BIMrelated works (Grilo and Jardim-Goncalves, 2010; Grilo et al., 2013). The ability to enhance collaboration within these BbCNs is one of BIM’s selling points (Cao et al., 2017a; Dossick and Neff, 2011). Moreover, collaboration in BbCNs is seen as a prerequisite for success in BIM-enabled projects (Cao et al., 2017b; Matthews et al., 2018). Collaboration within BIM is therefore of paramount importance in construction project management.