Operational impact in a transnational, work-based railway operations management programme through a collaborative approach

This chapter presents a distinctive example of transnational education (TNE) in South Africa: work-based blended learning in Railway Operations Management (ROM) delivered in a quadripartite partnership between Glasgow Caledonian University, the Institution of Railway Operators, Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) of South Africa, and the University of Johannesburg. A longitudinal evaluation of the programme fuses partner, alumni and current student perspectives around the personal and organisational impacts of the ROM programme since 2012. These include increased confidence, increased respect within the organisation and a better understanding of the railway value chain. Graduates of ROM bring benefit to TFR through enhanced problem-solving abilities and a wide pool available for succession planning. A deepening relationship between the four partners has underpinned this success. A shared vision and collective belief in a work-based learning approach supports the professionalisation of employees. This case covers the nature and scale of the partnership, the use of work-based learning in South Africa, and the longitudinal evaluation.