Sociotechnical dimensions of BIM-induced changes in stakeholder management of public and private building projects

Purpose This paper aims to explore the various sociotechnical dimensions of building information modelling (BIM)-induced changes associated with stakeholder management of projects. Design/methodology/approach This paper relies on grounded theory and data collection from two case studies – one in the public sector and one in the private sector – and is underpinned by Leavitt’s (1964) sociotechnical model. Findings Findings reveal four new dimensions of stakeholder management as being affected through BIM-induced changes: commitment; transparency; learning and experience; and stakeholder satisfaction, with these extending beyond the dimensions recognised in the existing literature. Another novelty lies in bringing to light the highly context-specific nature of BIM-induced changes pertinent to stakeholder management, with the two case studies demonstrating differences in these changes. Furthermore, a theoretical model of the causal impacts of various identified dimensions is presented, in which the sequence of changes and the causal associations between the identified dimensions are conceptualised. Originality/value Through Leavitt’s (1964) Diamond lens, the procedure of change and its evolutionary procedure for various components of the sociotechnical system of stakeholder management are theorised. The tentative conceptualisations presented offer a springboard from which to further investigate the episode of change pertinent to various dimensions of stakeholder management in BIM-enabled projects.