A social network analysis of Canadian food insecurity policy actors

Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
31 January 2018

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to: (i) visualize the networks of food insecurity policy actors in Canada, (ii) identify potential food insecurity policy entrepreneurs (i.e., individuals with voice, connections, and persistence) within these networks, and (iii) examine the political landscape for action on food insecurity as revealed by social network analysis.
Methods: A survey was administered to 93 Canadian food insecurity policy actors. They were each asked to nominate 3 individuals whom they believed to be policy entrepreneurs. Ego-centred social network maps (sociograms) were generated based on data on nominees and nominators.
Results: Seventy-two percent of the actors completed the survey; 117 unique nominations ensued. Eleven actors obtained 3 or more nominations and thus were considered policy entrepreneurs. The majority of actors nominated actors from the same province (71.5%) and with a similar approach to theirs to addressing food insecurity (54.8%). Most nominees worked in research, charitable, and other nongovernmental organizations.
Conclusions: Networks of Canadian food insecurity policy actors exist but are limited in scope and reach, with a paucity of policy entrepreneurs from political, private, or governmental jurisdictions. The networks are divided between food-based solution actors and income-based solution actors, which might impede collaboration among those with differing approaches to addressing food insecurity.

Résumé

Objectif : Cet article vise à : (i) visualiser les réseaux d’acteurs jouant un rôle dans les politiques relatives à l’insécurité alimentaire au Canada, (ii) identifier des entrepreneurs en politiques publiques potentiels dans le domaine de l’insécurité alimentaire (c.-à-d. des personnes ayant de l’influence, des relations et de la ténacité) au sein de ces réseaux et (iii) étudier le paysage politique propre aux mesures ciblant l’insécurité alimentaire en se basant sur une analyse des réseaux sociaux.
Méthodes : Un sondage a été effectué auprès de 93 acteurs jouant un rôle dans les politiques relatives à l’insécurité alimentaire au Canada. On a demandé à chacun d’entre eux de nommer 3 personnes qui étaient, selon eux, des entrepreneurs en politiques publiques. Des graphiques de réseaux sociaux ego centrés (sociogrammes) ont été créés à partir de données sur les personnes nommées et celles qui les avaient nommées.
Résultats : Soixante-douze pour cent des acteurs ont rempli le sondage; 117 personnes ont été nommées. Onze acteurs ont été nommés 3 fois ou plus et ont donc été considérés comme des entrepreneurs en politiques publiques. La plupart des acteurs ont nommé des acteurs de la même province (71,5 %) et dont l’approche relativement à l’insécurité alimentaire était semblable à la leur (54,8 %). La plupart des personnes nommées travaillaient en recherche, pour des organismes de bienfaisance ou d’autres organisations non gouvernementales.
Conclusions : Il existe des réseaux d’acteurs canadiens en matière de politiques relatives à l’insécurité alimentaire, mais leur portée est faible. De plus, il y a un manque d’entrepreneurs en politiques publiques issus des secteurs politiques, privés ou gouvernementaux. Les réseaux sont divisés entre les acteurs ciblant des solutions basées sur l’alimentation et ceux ciblant des solutions basées sur les revenus, ce qui pourrait nuire à la collaboration entre les partisans d’approches différentes à l’égard de l’insécurité alimentaire.

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Financial support: This study was supported by a Programmatic Grant in Health and Health Equity from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) (grant no. FRN 115208).
Conflicts of interest: The authors have no conflicts to declare.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 79Number 2June 2018
Pages: 60 - 66

History

Version of record online: 31 January 2018

Authors

Affiliations

Lynn McIntyre MD, MHSc
Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB
Geneviève Jessiman-Perreault MSc
Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB
Catherine L. Mah MD, PhD
Division of Community Health and Humanities, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL
Jenny Godley PhD
Department of Sociology, University of Calgary and O’Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB

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