Análisis de redes en productores de coco de la Costa Pacífica del Cauca

Network analysis in coconut producers from the Pacific Coast of Cauca

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the structure of social, technical, and commercial relationships established between coconut producers of the Pacific coast of the Cauca Department in Colombia. Methodology: The Social Network Analysis methodology was used. This methodology studies the structure and dynamics of the relationships established among actors. A survey was applied to 676 producers, and the information was analyzed based on the indicators of density, centralization, in-degree centrality and Modularity Class. Results: The indicator of density is low in all analyzed networks, which means incipient levels of social capital and cohesion. The resulting networks are decentralized, which means that there are several actors that are an important source of consultation. The clusters are configured based on geographic conditions and around recognized actors given their trajectory and experience. Limitations: Lack of evidence to support the relationship between social capital and development, lack of information and high degree of abstraction. Conclusions: Low levels of social capital around the activity were found, which result in information associated with the coconut production chain not flowing easily between actors and communities. Geographic conditions fragment existing relationships between producers, forming different clusters that hardly communicate with each other. The relevant actors identified are producers with extensive experience in the activity, collectors, and cooperatives.