Stakeholder Preferences Regarding Mobility-as-a-Service: Practice and theory

Abstract

Stakeholder preferences regarding Mobility-as-a-Service: Theory and practice

Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) is increasingly being proposed as an alternative transport system which negates the negative externalities resulting from global urbanisation. This thesis defines the implementation of MaaS as a ‘wicked’ problem, consisting of many different uncertainties. It attempts to reduce uncertainty in one of the factors that combinedly make up for the ‘wickedness’ of the problem, focussing specifically on the preferences of the stakeholders on the supply side of the MaaS system. The research uses the stakeholders of the Slim Heijendaal MaaS pilot in Nijmegen as subjects. The method used to uncover the stakeholder preferences is Group Model Building. The end result of the Group Model Building session is a stakeholder model in which the preferences of stakeholders have been captured. In addition, a literature review on strategic alliances was conducted, from which a theoretical model was developed. The theoretical model allows for a comparison between theory and practice.

This study finds (and confirms) that multiple circular causalities are in effect when implementing a MaaS scheme. The research identifies several leverage points in the collaboration between parties, which need to be addressed if implementation is to be successful. In addition, several similarities and differences between practice and theory are identified regarding strategic alliances by means of comparing the stakeholder model and the theoretical model.