A recent study published in Buildings examines why integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) with blockchain—two technologies often viewed as naturally compatible in smart construction—remains challenging. Using a hybrid approach combining interpretive structural modeling (ISM) with DEMATEL analysis, the researchers analyzed 13 core barriers to understand how they interact and influence the integration process. **Significance** BIM is widely used in digital construction, enhancing collaboration, precision, and project visualization. Blockchain is increasingly recognized for secure, decentralized management of data, contracts, payments, and supply chains. Together, they promise streamlined processes, improved stakeholder trust, and enhanced data integrity throughout construction projects. Despite this potential, integrating BIM and blockchain is complex. **Identified Barriers** The study categorizes barriers into three groups: technological, organizational, and environmental. Technical challenges include data redundancy and privacy risks; organizational issues stem from limited knowledge and experience among construction firms; environmental barriers relate to legal and regulatory hurdles. While technical aspects have been studied extensively, there is limited research on practical implementation and management of integration. **Methodology** The authors applied a two-phase method: a literature review followed by expert consultation. Out of 36 invited professionals specializing in smart construction and blockchain, 15 experts with at least eight years of relevant experience participated.

These experts represented major construction companies, universities, and engineering consultancies. - *ISM Phase:* Experts assessed the relationships among barriers using symbolic notation (“V”, “A”, “X”, “O”) to create a Structural Self-Interaction Matrix. - *DEMATEL Phase:* Building on ISM findings, experts rated the influence between key barriers on a scale from 0 (no influence) to 4 (very high influence). **Key Results** ISM analysis revealed a five-level hierarchy of barriers: - **Top-level:** Investment and return uncertainty (B8), unclear value proposition (B9), and stakeholder attitudes (B10), reflecting adoption hesitancy. - **Bottom-level:** High initial costs (B7) and legal/regulatory issues (B13), serving as root causes affecting all other challenges. - **Middle-level:** Gaps in technological maturity, training, and standards that both influence and are influenced by barriers at other levels. MICMAC analysis classified barriers by influence: - *Dependent Group:* B8–B10, lack of trust (B11), and workflow changes (B12) are mostly influenced by other factors. - *Linkage Group:* B1–B4 include technical barriers such as immature infrastructure, integration complexity, data security, and absence of standards. - *Independent Group:* B5–B7 and B13 drive many systemic challenges. No autonomous barriers were identified, highlighting the interconnected nature of all issues. DEMATEL ranked barriers by centrality and illuminated cause-and-effect relationships: technical and regulatory barriers (B1–B7, B13) primarily drive the process, whereas organizational and perceptual barriers (B8–B12) tend to result from those foundational challenges. **Conclusions** This comprehensive study offers a structured, evidence-based understanding of the obstacles to BIM-blockchain integration, emphasizing not only technical factors but also the broader network of influences impacting adoption. It serves as a valuable guide for construction firms, technology developers, and policymakers aiming to focus efforts where they are most needed. **Limitations** The expert panel was predominantly China-based, which may limit the generalizability of findings globally. Additionally, reliance on expert judgment and literature may introduce biases or overlook perspectives. Future research should incorporate broader, data-driven analyses and real-world pilot projects to validate and extend these insights. **Reference** An, Q. , Bi, X. , Xu, Y. , Chong, H. -Y. , & Liao, X. (2025). Analyzing Barriers of BIM and Blockchain Integration: A Hybrid ISM-DEMATEL Approach. *Buildings*, 15(8), 1370. https://doi. org/10. 3390/buildings15081370 https://www. mdpi. com/2075-5309/15/8/1370