Informal networks in policy processes: the case of community-based fisheries management in Bangladesh

A significant share of research for development aims at improving policy. The authors use the case of community-based fisheries management in Bangladesh to demonstrate how social network analysis can be applied to explore policy influence. Influence is an important intermediary step to impact. Data were collected in expert surveys conducted in 2007. The informal network that emerged during the project directly links local non-governmental organisations and grass-root organisations to development and administrative government organs. Decision-makers at the government planning level stated they received information from project partners, thus providing evidence for the policy influencing role of the analysed project.