From Structural Equation Modelling to Double Machine Learning: Robustness Analysis for Survey-Based Research

Structural equation modelling (SEM) is widely used in survey-based business and information systems research to assess latent constructs and theory-driven structural relationships.

However, SEM path significance is obtained within a particular model specification and may not show whether findings remain stable under alternative estimation frameworks.

This study develops and demonstrates a staged robustness analysis framework that connects SEM, ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, and Double Machine Learning (DML).

SEM is first used to refine the measurement structure and estimate the robustness-baseline SEM model, in which the full theory-specified structural path system is retained for downstream robustness analysis before final structural path evaluation.

OLS regression is then applied to SEM-derived construct scores as a transparent regression benchmark.

Finally, DML-style residualisation is used to examine whether each tested focal relationship remains stable after flexible machine-learning-based adjustment for observed controls.

Learner-sensitivity checks compare Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, and Support Vector Machine learners, and selected reverse-direction diagnostics are used to examine directional sensitivity.

The framework is demonstrated using a FinTech Digital Customer Intimacy survey model.

The findings identify which relationships are stable across SEM, OLS, and DML-style checks, and which require more cautious interpretation.

A reproducible Google Colab workbook and generated result files are publicly available, providing a reusable template that researchers and students can adapt to other survey-based latent-construct studies.

The paper contributes a practical robustness workflow and interpretation guide for survey-based researchers seeking to complement SEM with conventional and machine-learning-based robustness checks.