Building information modelling in developing countries: a scientometric, thematic, and research gap analysis

Building information modelling (BIM) innovation has gained significant traction worldwide in the construction industry. Although BIM has become a popular trend in developing countries, its adoption remains low compared to developed countries and is perceived as being unequal in the construction industry worldwide. Despite the increased number of conducted empirical studies examining BIM adoption, barriers and applications in various developing countries, there is still a lack of integrated, analytically rigorous synthesis mapping the intellectual structure, theoretical foundations and knowledge gaps in the field. This gap is addressed by this study through conducting comprehensive scientometric, thematic, and research gap analysis of BIM research in developing countries. Drawing on Ninety-Eight peer-reviewed journal articles indexed in Scopus, this study has systematically mapping co-citation networks, keyword co-occurrence patterns, bibliographic coupling relationships, and thematic clusters. The results identified four dominant knowledge domains: (1) BIM adoption and implementation, (2) implementation barriers, (3) BIM processes and construction management integration, and (4) BIM for sustainable construction. The results was interpreted through Technology–Organisation–Environment (TOE) framework and institutional theory finding that in developing countries, BIM adoption is more embraced by organisational readiness, regulatory structures, procurement systems, and institutional pressures rather than technological capability. Furthermore, the study exposes three structural limitations in the current body of knowledge: limitations of cross-country comparative analysis, over-reliance on perception-based survey studies and insufficient empirical validation of claimed BIM benefits. Therefore, this review using synthesizing intellectual patterns and systematically identifying conceptual, methodological, and contextual gaps, has reframed the BIM adoption and implementation in developing country as institutional and socio-technical transformation. Lastly, a consolidated conceptual framework has been contributed by this study linking current research problems and limitations with recommended future directions for BIM implementation in developing countries, offering a roadmap for researchers, policymakers and industry stakeholders seeking context based scalable BIM adoption and implementation strategies.