WORK EXPERIENCE

• 2019-Now Associate Professor, School of Economics and Management, Tongji University
• 2017-2019 Assistant Professor, School of Economics and Management, Tongji University
• 2016-2017 Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• 2015-2016 Research Associate, Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Infrastructure Big Data Analytics
• Sustainable Infrastructure Networks

 TEACHING INTERESTS

• Virtual Design and Construction
• Project Management

RESEARCH PROJECTS

• National Natural Science Foundation of China (General Program). "Heterogeneous Contagion Mechanisms and Governance Strategies of BIM Adoption in Construction Projects: An Embeddedness Perspective" (Grant No. 72271186). Period: 01/2023-12/2026 | Role: Principal Investigator

• National Key R&D Program of China. "Digital Technologies for Construction Cost Management: Research and Applications" (Grant No. 2024YFC3809900). Period: 04/2025-03/2028 |Role: Subproject Leader ("LLM-based Intelligent Knowledge Extraction for Construction Cost Estimation")
• Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission Research Grant. "Data-Driven Association Rule Mining and Benchmarking Evaluation for Defects of Road Networks in Shanghai”. Period: 04/2024-12/2026 | Role: Principal Investigator
• National Natural Science Foundation of China (Young Scientists Fund). "Exploring the Structural Characteristics and Evolutionary Mechanisms of Behavioral Responses to Technological Changes in Construction Projects Using the Embeddedness Perspective: A Longitudinal Study based on Stochastic Actor-Oriented Models" (Grant No. 71802150). Period: 01/2019-12/2021 | Role: Principal Investigator
• National Natural Science Foundation of China (General Program). "Evolutionary Trends, Collaboration Formation Mechanisms, and Management Strategies of Digital-Intelligent Technologies in Construction". Period: 01/2025-12/2028 | Role: Co-Investigator
• Shanghai Housing and Urban-Rural Development Commission Research Grant. "Data-Driven Decision-Making Models for Urban Infrastructure Maintenance Planning". Period: 07/2021-10/2022 | Role: Principal Investigator
• Shanghai Pujiang Talent Program. "Evolution of Innovation Implementation Behaviors in Construction Projects: A Dynamic Network Perspective" (Grant No. 18PJC110). Period: 09/2018-08/2020 | Role: Principal Investigator
• Tongji University (General Research Grant). "Co-Evolution Between HSR Networks and Socioeconomic Systems: Dynamic Network Modeling" (Grant No. 22120220303). Period: 05/2022-05/2025 | Role: Principal Investigator
• Tongji University (Young Talent Research Grant). "Co-evolution of BIM Implementation Behaviors and Project-Based Relationship Networks”. Period: 01/2018-12/2019 | Role: Principal Investigator
• Chinese Academy of Engineering (Major Research Consulting Project). "High-Quality Development Strategy for China's Construction Industry". Period: 01/2020-12/2020 | Role: Team Member
• Chinese Academy of Engineering (Key Research Consulting Project). "China Construction 2035 Strategy". Period: 03/2019-03/2021 | Role: Team Member
• Taiyuan Rail Transit Development Co., Ltd. (Research Consulting Project). "Operation-Oriented Lifecycle BIM Technology R&D for Taiyuan Metro Line 2". Period: 11/2018-09/2021 | Role: Technical Contributor

• Beijing New Airport Construction Headquarters (Research Consulting Project). "Integrated Schedule Planning for Beijing Daxing International Airport Project". Period: 07/2018-09/2019 | Role: Technical Contributor

SELECTED Publications (* Corresponding Author)

• Graham Winch, Maude Brunet, & Dongping Cao (eds) (2023) Research Handbook on Complex Project Organizing. Cheltenham, Edward Elgar.

• Shao, S., Cao, D.^* (2025). Competitive and Learning Strategies for Digitalization: A Configuration Analysis of BIM Implementation Practices of Contractors in China. Journal of Management in Engineering, in press. https://doi.org/10.1061/JMENEA/MEENG-6885
• Cao, D., Xia, Q., Zha, L.^* (2025). Urban Infrastructure Development in China: A Multi-dimensional Spatial Peer Effect Perspective. Applied Spatial Analysis and Policy, 18(2), 64. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12061-025-09678-y
• Zha, L., Cao, D.^*, Mahamoudoua, F. (2025). International Cooperative Network for Nuclear Power Plant Projects: A Multidimensional Proximity Perspective. Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, in press. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2025.2482066
• Yang, Y., Shao, S., Cao, D.^* (2025). Diffusion of BIM Policies in China: An Event History Analysis. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 32(5), 3522-3544. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-08-2023-0826
• Wang, X., Wang, G., Cao, D.^* (2025). Dynamics of the Air Transport Network in China: A Geographical and Socioeconomic Embeddedness Perspective. Journal of Air Transport Management, 125, 102764. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102764
• Wang, G., Zhou, Y.^*, Cao, D. (2025). Artificial Intelligence in Construction: Topic-based Technology Mapping based on Patent Data. Automation in Construction, 172, 106073. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2025.106073
• Zong, H., Wang, G., Cao, D.^* (2025). Collaborative Networks between Contractors and Subcontractors for Infrastructure Development: A Comparative Study of National Quality Award Projects in China. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 32(2), 1074-1096. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-05-2022-0442
• Yang, H., Li, H., Wang, G., Cao, D.^* (2025). Interregional Migration of Construction Workers in China: Roles of Employment Opportunities and Environment Amenities. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 32(1), 87-108. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-01-2023-0029
• Cao, D., Li, L., Shao, S.^*, Mahamoudoua, F. (2024). Multi-objective Optimisation for Urban Road Network Maintenance based on Spatial Design Network Analysis: Trade-offs in Performance, Environmental Impacts and Costs. International Journal of Pavement Engineering, 25(1), 2444502. https://doi.org/10.1080/10298436.2024.2444502
• Li, Y., Wang, G., Cao, D.^* (2024). Empowering Super-stars or Rising-stars? Dynamics of the High-Speed Rail Network Planning in China. Transportation Planning and Technology, in press. https://doi.org/10.1080/03081060.2024.2410981
• Shao, S., Cao, D.^* (2024). Coevolution of Relationship Networks and Resistance Behaviors for Building Information Modeling Implementation in Construction Projects. International Journal of Project Management, 42(5), 102617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2024.102617
• Shao, S., Cao, D.^* (2024). Contagion of BIM Implementation Practices in Interproject Networks: An Empirical Study in China. Journal of Management in Engineering, 40(1), 05023009. https://ascelibrary.org/doi/full/10.1061/JMENEA.MEENG-5639
• Cao, D., Shao, S.^* (2024). Colleagues or Friends? Comparing Communication and Advice Networks for Building Information Modeling (BIM) Implementation in Construction Projects. Project Management Journal, 55(3), 232-246. https://doi.org/10.1177/87569728231203546
• Li, M.^*, Wang, G., Cao, D., Jia, G., Sun, J. (2023). Construction Duration Estimation for Airport Terminals in China: A Case-based Reasoning Model Considering Case Retrieval Methods and Case Retention Strategies. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 149(10), 05023012.  https://doi.org/10.1061/JCEMD4.COENG-13168
• Cao, D., Teng, X.^*, Chen, Y., Tan, D., Wang, G. (2023). Digital Transformation Strategies of Project-based Firms: Case Study of a Large-scale Construction Company in China. Asia Pacific Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, in press. https://doi.org/10.1108/APJIE-02-2023-0027
• Xing, M., Cao, J., Cao, D.^* (2023). Impacts of Policy Mix Comprehensiveness on BIM Implementation: Moderating Effects of Environmental State Uncertainty and Response Uncertainty. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 149(2), 04022171. doi.org/10.1061/JCEMD4.COENG-12716

• Cao, D., Shao, S.^*, Huang, B., Wang, G. (2022). Multidimensional behavioral responses to the implementation of BIM in construction projects: An empirical study in China. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 29(2), 819-841. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-09-2020-0735
• Cao, D., Shao, S.^* (2020). Towards complexity and dynamics: A bibliometric-qualitative review of network research in construction. Complexity, 8812466. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8812466
• Wang, G., Wang, P., Cao, D.^*, Luo, X. (2020). Predicting behavioural resistance to BIM implementation in construction projects: An empirical study integrating technology acceptance model and equity theory. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 26(7), 651-665. https://doi.org/10.3846/jcem.2020.12325
• Li, X., Li, H., Cao, D.^*, Tang, Y., Luo, X., Wang, G. (2019). Modeling the dynamics of project-based collaborative networks for BIM implementation in the construction industry: An empirical study in Hong Kong. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 145(12), 05019013. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001726
• Luo, X., Li, H., Wang, H., Wu, Z., Dai, F., Cao, D.^* (2019). Vision-based detection and visualization of dynamic workspaces. Automation in Construction, 104, 1-13. doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2019.04.001
• Oraee, M., Hosseini, M. R.^*, Edwards, D. J., Li, H., Papadonikolaki, E., Cao, D. (2019). Collaboration barriers in BIM-based construction networks: A conceptual model. International Journal of Project Management, 37(6), 839-854. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2019.05.004
• Cao, D., Li, H., Wang, G., Luo, X.^*, Tan, D. (2018). Relationship network structure and organizational competitiveness: Evidence from BIM implementation practices in the construction industry. Journal of Management in Engineering, 34(3), 04018005. doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000600
• Luo, X., Li, H., Cao, D.^*, Yu, Y., Yang, X., Huang, T. (2018). Towards efficient and objective work sampling: Recognizing workers’ activities in site surveillance videos with two-stream convolutional networks. Automation in Construction, 94, 360-370. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2018.07.011
• Tang, Y., Wang, G., Li, H., Cao, D.^* (2018). Dynamics of collaborative networks between contractors and subcontractors in the construction industry: Evidence from National Quality Award Projects in China. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 144(9), 05018009. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001555

• 2024 Outstanding Advisor Award, China Engineering Management Case Competition for Graduate Students
• 2023 Second Prize, China Industry-University-Research Collaborative Innovation Award
• 2022 Second Prize, Shanghai Civil Engineering Society Scientific Progress Award
• 2022 First Prize, Shanghai Teaching Achievement Award (Rank: 4th author)
• 2021 First Prize, China Communications and Transportation Association Scientific Progress Award
• 2021 Second Prize, China Graphics Society Scientific Progress Award
• 2021 Special Prize, Tongji University Teaching Achievement Award
• 2020 First Prize, Capital Airports Holding Company Technological Innovation Award
• 2019 First Prize, Tongji University Teaching Achievement Award

• 2018 Selected into the Shanghai Pujiang Talent Progam
• 2018 Best Journal Paper Award, Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering
• 2017 Second Class Prize, Shanghai Science and Technology Award
• 2017 Selected into the Program for Young Excellent Talents in Tongji University
• 2017 Outstanding Reviewer, Automation in Construction
• 2016 Outstanding Reviewer, International Journal of Project Management