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@PHDTHESIS{Elsmann:706334,
author = {Elsmann, Dominik},
othercontributors = {Fromhold-Eisebith, Martina and Pfaffenbach, Carmella Diana},
title = {{R}egional {R}ailway {G}overnance – {A}kteursnetzwerke im
regionalen {B}ahnsystem im internationalen {V}ergleich},
school = {RWTH Aachen University},
type = {Dr.},
address = {Aachen},
reportid = {RWTH-2017-08589},
pages = {1 Online-Ressource (323 Seiten) : Illustrationen,
Diagramme, Karten},
year = {2017},
note = {Veröffentlicht auf dem Publikationsserver der RWTH Aachen
University; Dissertation, RWTH Aachen University, 2017},
abstract = {Objective and subject of investigation: Europe's railway
systems have undergone a profound transformation process
over the last 20 years. As part of the process of reforming
the European rail sector, privatisation, liberalisation and
regionalisation processes were initiated and implemented
with varying national radicalism. In Germany and Great
Britain, the reformation of railway systems began at the
same time in the early 1990s. However, the following
development has followed different development paths in both
countries. The differing implementation models of the reform
have therefore strongly influenced the structure and
functioning of the railway systems concerned. As a result of
the regionalisation process, stakeholder networks in
regional railway systems have either been restructured or
even been organized and established for the first time.
Those stakeholder networks are the focus of interest in this
paper.Against this background, this paper researches
governance in the regional rail system. As a specific form
of governance, the network-based collaboration between the
stakeholders is examined. Building on the approaches of
network research and the governance concept, this paper
analyses the composition and functioning of stakeholder
networks in the regional railway system. Differing network
structures is a result of different development paths
pursued in the respective national context. A particular
focus is laid on the participatory approach towards an
involvement of civil stakeholders and the importance of
participatory approaches for the stakeholder network in the
regional railway system. Research methods: The comparison of
two case studies forms the research approach for this paper.
Due to the simultaneous reform of the rail sector, but
completely different implementation models and resulting
different structures, case studies from Germany and Great
Britain are suitable for comparing present stakeholder
networks and their functioning. The German region of Aachen
as well as the British region of Lancashire were selected
for this comparative study of governance in the regional
rail system. Considering the different paths of development
pursued following the reform of the respective national rail
systems, this paper compares the present structures and way
of functioning of stakeholder networks in the regional rail
systems. The aim is to identify differing overall conditions
and influencing factors and to present the resulting
organisational structures and decision-making processes. In
addition, the comparative study makes it possible to
identify similarities and differences that characterise the
regional railway system. It also examines the extent to
which the identified structures allow or aggravate more
intensive participation by civil stakeholders. The study of
stakeholder networks builds on the relational perspective of
network research, which examines existing relationships
between stakeholders and illuminates their accomplishment.
The governance concept provides the theoretical framework by
considering forms and mechanisms of coordination between
more or less autonomous stakeholders whose actions are
interdependent. Building on approaches from social network
research and the governance concept, different research
methods are applied. More precisely document analysis,
participatory observations as well as qualitative expert
interviews were conducted. Findings: The findings
demonstrate that stakeholder networks exist in the regional
rail systems of the two case studies, but these are no
official or formalised associations of different
stakeholders. In fact, stakeholders with competences or
interest in the regional railway system work together in a
network because of their interdependency. According to the
results of the expert interviews, these network structures
can be described as not formalized, but institutionalized.
Public transport by rail is no longer organised by public
stakeholders exclusively. As a result of privatisation,
liberalisation and regionalisation, the present stakeholder
network is composed heterogeneously and comprises public,
private and civil stakeholders. On the one hand,
stakeholders with different motivations collaborate
cooperatively, on the other hand the organisation of the
functional railway system has gained complexity.
Decision-making processes are negotiated in the network
between all stakeholders concerned. However, the research
results in this thesis show that some stakeholders are able
to influence the process much more than others. The
commissioning authorities in the German case study and the
Department for Transport (DfT) in the British context hold a
powerful position for instance. One of the reasons for this
can be found in the financing of local transport services,
which is secured by the above-mentioned stakeholders. With
regard to the participatory involvement of civil
stakeholders, the comparison between the German and British
case studies reveals clear differences. In Germany, civil
stakeholders appear primarily as institutionalised
associations or interest groups. Accordingly, the
stakeholder network is primarily designed for the
integration of such professionalised civil stakeholders,
although interviewed experts state that this could
undoubtedly still be improved. With regard to participatory
structures the British case study, on the other hand,
presents "Community Rail Partnerships" as a successful
model, which function as an integrator and hereby enable a
permanent involvement of different players. As a result, the
regional railway system benefits from a supporting
participatory culture, which is reflected in constructive
collaboration between public, private and civil
stakeholders. The advantages and potentials resulting from
this participatory governance are discussed in detail as
well as possibilities for the transfer of best practice
approaches to other regions.},
cin = {551310 / 530000},
ddc = {620},
cid = {$I:(DE-82)551310_20140620$ / $I:(DE-82)530000_20140620$},
typ = {PUB:(DE-HGF)11},
doi = {10.18154/RWTH-2017-08589},
url = {https://publications.rwth-aachen.de/record/706334},
}
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