Abstract
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is a paradigm shift representing a fundamental change in merging the physical, digital, and biological domains to create an inclusive future. The 4IR is a disruptive era that impacts economies and humans' relationship with technology (World Economic Forum 2021). The 4IR focuses on enhancing the relationship between humans and the digital realm for new industry opportunities, motivating economic growth and sustainability. International and local South African studies indicate that the Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry has adopted and evolved with the technological developments in Building Information Modelling (BIM). BIM is a digitalisation breakthrough which emerged in the third industrial revolution and has evolved within the 4IR. However, there is a prominent barrier between the interior design industry adopting BIM opportunities. Therefore, the aim is to understand how BIM technology drives competitiveness amongst practices from a 4IR perspective in Johannesburg-based interior designers.
A qualitative research approach was employed for this study, situated in the interpretivist paradigm to accomplish a conclusive research framework. The study considers data from primary and secondary sources. The secondary data included the insight into existing literature to gain understanding of what is already known and evident in research. The study then focused of primary data focusing on purposive sampling of six case studies selected in the Johannesburg precinct. Expert participants in the field of interest were further selected from each case study to undergo an interview process.
The study revealed two hindering concerns within the findings. The first concern was the lack of education and understanding associated with BIM systems in the interior design industry in Johannesburg, and secondly, sustainability opportunities has not yet evolved significantly within practices through BIM technology. Thus, sustainability supported by BIM is a competitive driver. However, the findings reveal indications of sustainability indicators in the practices for effectiveness and efficiency. Competitiveness drives effective practice, collaboration methods and BIM drives efficient design opportunities by reducing time, cost, wastage, depletion of natural resources, environmental impact and energy consumption. The findings within the practices revealed that BIM supports competitiveness through a sustainability opportunity in sustainability BIM testing and evaluation for green rating and certification feasibility.
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It can be concluded that BIM technology is a significant barrier to overcome within the interior design industry although drives competitiveness amongst practices. The competitiveness addresses opportunities of BIM employment within sustainability deliverables. The successful competitive practice opportunity will therefore require interior designers to continuously update their BIM knowledge and skills to proactively be competitive in the radical and abrupt revolution transformations to drive sustainability opportunities. The study promotes suggestive recommendations for tertiary education, lifelong learning and experience, the interior design industry and embarking industry students, supporting a competitive strategy and governmental policies and procedures. The study concludes with future possible research opportunities to improve the findings within this study.