Communication network analysis to advance mapping ‘sport for development and peace’ complexity: Cohesion and leadership

Abstract

Attempts to map the global sport for development and peace field have revealed only some aspects of its complex organisational structure, failing to depict the web of relations in which diverse stakeholders are embedded. Based on the principles of complex systems, this study applies a communication network perspective and the analytical instruments of hyperlink network analysis to advance mapping sport for development and peace complexity and to reveal the significance of the stakeholders’ structure for power relations, cohesion and leadership processes in the sport for development and peace field. The research extends the current mapping by depicting an international network of 520 organisations and 2279 links. The stakeholders differ according to the level of involvement in sport for development and peace practice, the field of main activities, and origins (the global North and South). The density of the network is extremely sparse, which means that less than 1% of all possible ties are realised. Furthermore, it ratifies the leading role of the global North in sport for development and peace efforts. Findings also disclose difficulties in establishing relations between delivery organisations that can be attributed to competitive context and shortage of resources. The study provides clarification of existing power relations and helps to find development strategies and a more inclusive and equitable policy formulation aimed to create equal opportunities for leadership.