Pathways to enhance engineering resilience of railway engineering projects with intelligent construction technology: a perspective based on risk governance

Purpose Engineering resilience is a critical factor in ensuring the sustainable development of major infrastructure. Although intelligent construction technologies have been widely applied in railway engineering projects, the relationship between intelligent construction technologies and engineering resilience remains unclear. This study aims to explore the pathways through which intelligent construction technologies enhance engineering resilience and to reveal the underlying mechanisms. Design/methodology/approach Through a comprehensive literature review and rigorous scale development procedures, a measurement scale comprising 24 items was developed to assess the pathways for enhancing engineering resilience. Survey data were collected from 264 experts using this scale, and structural equation modeling was employed to validate the proposed hypotheses. Findings Both intelligent technologies and construction technologies have a significant positive impact on engineering resilience. Project risk governance capability, governance power, and governance value play key mediating roles in the process by which intelligent construction technologies enhance engineering resilience. The core mechanisms through which intelligent construction technologies improve engineering resilience consist of three pathways: technology- driven capability, technology-driven power, and technology-driven value. Project complexity significantly weakens the positive effects of governance capability and governance value on engineering resilience. Originality/value This study expands the research perspective on the relationship between intelligent construction technologies and engineering resilience, systematically revealing the multi-path mechanisms through which intelligent construction technologies enhance engineering resilience. It provides a scientific basis for selecting smart technology solutions and optimizing governance models in railway engineering projects, thereby facilitating the digital transformation of infrastructure construction.