Work process attachment forms and styles influencing organizational BIM transformation

This study evaluated the impact of work process attachment forms and styles on organizational building information modeling (BIM) transformation in the Nigerian construction industry. The study employed Bowlby’s theory of attachment forms and styles to suggest that attachment to established work processes may lead construction professionals to resist BIM transformation, as they have confidence in traditional methods and feel secure in their ability to execute these processes. The hypotheses derived from this statement were evaluated using path-structural equation modeling. Data for hypothesis testing were obtained from 462 construction experts with expertise in BIM implementation, familiarity with discipline-specific information in BIM models, and a minimum work tenure of 2.5 years. The research indicated that construction professionals' opposition to BIM integration in their workplace is attributable to attachments such as cultural (r = −0.15), functional (r = −0.36), and emotional bonds (r = −0.17). The findings show that attachment-driven resistance manifests as interpersonal conflict, workplace anxiety, and disorganization. The study shows that BIM resistance is not just a technical or managerial challenge but also a psychological and social challenge.