behavioral intention to adopt BIM methodology: an empirical study based on the TAM model with civil engineering students at the Universidad Estatal del Sur de Manabí

Abstract

BIM (Building Information Modeling) methodology constitutes one of the most relevant technological transformations in the construction industry worldwide; however, its adoption in the Ecuadorian academic setting remains limited. This research aimed to determine the behavioral intention to adopt BIM methodology among students of the Civil Engineering program at the Universidad Estatal del Sur de Manabí (UNESUM), based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) proposed by Davis (1989). A structured questionnaire covering four dimensions (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude toward use, and behavioral intention to use), validated through Cronbach's alpha coefficient, was applied to a probabilistic sample of 183 students, calculated from a population of 350 active students, with a 95% confidence level and a 5% margin of error. The results showed adequate overall internal consistency (α = 0.866) and favorable attitudes toward BIM methodology, with means above 4.0 out of 5.0 in most dimensions. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that perceived ease of use (β = 0.356) and perceived usefulness (β = 0.190) significantly predict attitude toward use (R² = 0.283), while attitude (β = 0.374) and perceived usefulness (β = 0.207) significantly predict behavioral intention to use (R² = 0.230). It is concluded that Civil Engineering students at UNESUM show a favorable intention to adopt BIM, driven mainly by perceived usefulness and ease of use, which suggests the relevance of strengthening its curricular instruction.