Purpose To explore how institutional factors, particularly governance mechanisms, influence the resilience governance capacity of multinational renewable energy projects in the face of external environmental shocks, and to examine the moderating role of the external environment. Design/methodology/approach Based on the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework, a moderated chain mediation model was developed and tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Data were collected through a six-month electronic survey of 371 professionals engaged in multinational renewable energy projects. Findings Governance mechanisms significantly enhance the resilience of renewable energy projects. Resource integration and dynamic capabilities function as partial mediators, forming a sequential mediating process that links governance mechanisms to resilience governance. Additionally, the external environment positively moderates the relationship between governance mechanisms and resource integration. Research limitations/implications The findings enrich resilience governance theory by demonstrating the multi-level pathways through which governance mechanisms foster adaptive capacity. The integration of institutional design, resource management, and environmental context offers a new analytical framework for future research on sustainable project governance. Practical implications The results provide guidance for policymakers and project managers to design integrated governance structures and strengthen adaptive capabilities to improve resilience in complex international environments. Social implications By promoting more resilient renewable energy projects, the study supports sustainable energy transitions and contributes to achieving global carbon reduction and energy security goals. Originality/value This research extends resilience governance theory by integrating the moderating role of the external environment and illustrating the mechanisms through which governance structures influence project resilience. It offers an innovative model and empirical evidence that deepen understanding of resilience enhancement in multinational renewable energy projects.
Peng et al. (Thu,) studied this question.