Download Social Network Analysis of the network of DPOs in Vietnam

Social Network Analysis of the
network of DPOs in Vietnam
A snapshot from April-May 2012
Caitlin Wyndham
What was the research
• Research for a Masters in Sociology at the
University of Manchester
• Aim: To map and analyse the DPO network in
Vietnam to understand more about the internal
communication network and connections with
external agencies.
• 2 networks mapped:
– DPO Communications network
– DPO – External agencies (government, NGO, etc)
network
What is Social Network Analysis
(SNA)?
• Makes networks visible and more
understandable. Can see key ‘leaders’,
‘influencers’, ‘bottlenecks’ etc.
• Assumes that structure influences behaviour
in social networks. Structure influences
organisational capacities such as
communications, dissemination of
information, ability to mobilise, etc.
Types of networks
So why analyze the DPO network?
• Understanding the communication network could
provide useful information to the network to
improve their ability to communicate, mobilize.
• Understanding the network’s connections with
external agencies (especially government) could
help DPOs understand their ability to influence
government.
• Provide information for donors and supporters
about how best to assist the network.
The survey
Region
Total DPOs
(DF list)
Returns
Percent
North
44
10
23%
Centre
10
3
30%
South
20
12
62%
Total
74
25
34%
Av. Age
Av.
Members
Scope
Respondents
5.45yrs
466
66% Nat/province
Non-respondents
7.36yrs
204
45% Nat/Province
Characteristics of DPOs - age
Age
Less than 2yrs
2-5yrs
6-10yrs
Over 10yrs
Unknown
Total
Average age
No of
DPOs
18
7
28
14
8
74
Percentage
24%
9%
38%
19%
11%
100%
6.62yrs
Characteristics of DPOs - size
Membership
No of DPOs
Percent
Less than 50
16
28%
50-100
15
26%
100-500
21
37%
Over 500
5
9%
Unknown/exclud
ed
17
Total
74
Total members
Median
membership
27, 084
80
* Excluding IDEA, ACDC and DRD as they do not have members
and Nam Dinh as an outlier
Characteristics of DPOs- facilities
• 62% do not have an office and can only access
internet at home/internet café
• 36% do have an office with internet access
• 1 DPO has an office, no internet
DPO communications network
DPO communications network
• 10 organisations in this network have 48 per cent
of the total connections. These are
communication ‘hubs’; IDEA/ACDC, DRD, Hanoi
DPO, Duc Trong DPO, Ha Nam DPO, Hanoi Club
WwD, Vung Tau DPO, Can Tho DPO, Dong Thap
Uni YwD, Son Tay DPO.
• The average number of steps to reach any
organisation in the network from any other
organisation is 5. The average path length is 2.3.
• Thus: the communications network is cohesive,
efficient and should be fast.
DPO communications network
Key:
Pink – member of Hanoi DPO, Red – North, Blue – Centre, Green – South
Thicker lines indicate weekly contact, thinner monthly contact
The network not only grouped by region
Circle = Hanoi DPO member , Square = other north , Triangle = centre, Box = south.
Thicker lines indicate weekly contact, thinner monthly contact
Meaning
• The hub organisations are very important for
connecting the network, but 10 hubs means
this power isn’t too concentrated.
• There is reasonable connection between the
regions, but this could be improved, especially
with the Central DPOs.
• Danang DPO seems a key link between north
and south – needs more support
Why are the hubs hubs?
• Hubs tend to have more members than
average
• Hubs are mostly over 6yrs old
• Hubs do not necessarily have an office,
internet or external funding (only 3 hubs have
offices)
• Other explanations??
DPOs connections with external agencies
DPO external network
Key:
Red nodes: DPOs, Blue: disability policy agencies, Black: other external agencies. Isolates
removed. Thin lines indicate annual contact, medium, monthly and thick lines, weekly
contact.
Are DPOs connected with govt?
• Most DPOs seem quite well connected with
government agencies involved with disability.
• The hubs are very well connected - 93 per
cent of their total external links are to NCCD
members and People’s Committees. I.e. the
DPO network ‘leaders’ are talking to the ‘right’
government agencies
• Danang DPO is well connected with govt –
confirming need for more support for Danang.
Lessons for donors/supporters
• An office, resources, staff aren’t necessary for
a DPO to become a powerful, influential,
leader in the network. Support for increasing
membership could be more important.
• To improve cohesion in the network, more
connections with central Vietnam necessary.
• If donors want to support DPOs’ policy
influence, support the hubs.
Huge thanks
• The research wouldn’t have been possible
without:
– Nguyen Thi Lan Anh – ACDC
– Huynh Ngoc Bich– DRD
– All the DPOs who completed the survey, and
especially Chi Van at DPHN who helped collect
from their members.