The Social Network Analysis to Study Discourse …
141
5 Conclusion
This study found SNA to be a good and easy way to both understand the distribution
of important topics related to the nexus approach and the gaps in that distribution.
Moreover, this study reveals SNA to be a useful tool to assess differences between
groups, gaps in themes, and centrality of specific themes. A curious aspect of these
results is the role that “food” theme played in all the groups considered in the analysis
and the low centrality of the theme “water”, especially with respect to the actor
“government”. The results reveal how certain themes and sectors are overlooked.
Thus, there is a need to take into account the synergies and trade-offs of the nexus
sectors when it comes to planning and managing these resources, so as not to cause
stress by prioritizing one sector to the detriment of another. A limitation of the method
is its inability to provide details of contexts and discourses, in which these words,
sentence, fragment or paragraph were inserted. Such information would facilitate the
discussion and and lead to a better understanding of why certain themes dominate
over others. In any case, the method can be very useful when the researcher is
already aware of the context and discourses of each group and uses the SNA to
assess differences between groups, gaps in themes, and centrality of specific themes.
Brazil is an interesting place to apply the nexus approach. The country is the
top exporter of various agricultural products to various countries in the world and
is considered one of the main global agricultural powers. Moreover, in Brazil the
population is increasingly urban, and the country has been witnessing high rates of
deforestation and natural resource degradation, which, combined with the impacts of
climate change, demand urgent integrated planning among the agricultural, energy
and water sectors if it is to remain an agribusiness power and guarantee the food,
water and energy security of its population. Future studies based on the results of this
study could focus on taking an in-depth analysis of the nexus themes. The method
used in this study could also be applied to cases other than biofuels. The network
method could also be applied to quantitative data, which would contribute toward an
understanding of the relationship between the nexus sectors.
Acknowledgements The authors acknowledge financial support received from São Paulo Research
Foundation (FAPESP), Process: 2015/03804-9. The first author also acknowledges the Grant:
2017/17796-3 São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), Brazil.
References
1. Albrecht TR, Crootof A, Scott CA (2018) The water-energy-food nexus: a systematic review
of methods for nexus assessment. Environ Res Lett 13:043002
2. Arthur M, Liu G, Hao Y, Zhang L, Liang S, Asamoah EF, Lombardi GV (2019) Urban foodenergy-water nexus indicators: a review. Resour Conserv Recycl 151:104481
3. Artioli F, Acuto M, McArthur J (2017) The water-energy-food nexus: an integration agenda
and implications for urban governance. Polit Geogr 61:215–223
141
5 Conclusion
This study found SNA to be a good and easy way to both understand the distribution
of important topics related to the nexus approach and the gaps in that distribution.
Moreover, this study reveals SNA to be a useful tool to assess differences between
groups, gaps in themes, and centrality of specific themes. A curious aspect of these
results is the role that “food” theme played in all the groups considered in the analysis
and the low centrality of the theme “water”, especially with respect to the actor
“government”. The results reveal how certain themes and sectors are overlooked.
Thus, there is a need to take into account the synergies and trade-offs of the nexus
sectors when it comes to planning and managing these resources, so as not to cause
stress by prioritizing one sector to the detriment of another. A limitation of the method
is its inability to provide details of contexts and discourses, in which these words,
sentence, fragment or paragraph were inserted. Such information would facilitate the
discussion and and lead to a better understanding of why certain themes dominate
over others. In any case, the method can be very useful when the researcher is
already aware of the context and discourses of each group and uses the SNA to
assess differences between groups, gaps in themes, and centrality of specific themes.
Brazil is an interesting place to apply the nexus approach. The country is the
top exporter of various agricultural products to various countries in the world and
is considered one of the main global agricultural powers. Moreover, in Brazil the
population is increasingly urban, and the country has been witnessing high rates of
deforestation and natural resource degradation, which, combined with the impacts of
climate change, demand urgent integrated planning among the agricultural, energy
and water sectors if it is to remain an agribusiness power and guarantee the food,
water and energy security of its population. Future studies based on the results of this
study could focus on taking an in-depth analysis of the nexus themes. The method
used in this study could also be applied to cases other than biofuels. The network
method could also be applied to quantitative data, which would contribute toward an
understanding of the relationship between the nexus sectors.
Acknowledgements The authors acknowledge financial support received from São Paulo Research
Foundation (FAPESP), Process: 2015/03804-9. The first author also acknowledges the Grant:
2017/17796-3 São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), Brazil.
References
1. Albrecht TR, Crootof A, Scott CA (2018) The water-energy-food nexus: a systematic review
of methods for nexus assessment. Environ Res Lett 13:043002
2. Arthur M, Liu G, Hao Y, Zhang L, Liang S, Asamoah EF, Lombardi GV (2019) Urban foodenergy-water nexus indicators: a review. Resour Conserv Recycl 151:104481
3. Artioli F, Acuto M, McArthur J (2017) The water-energy-food nexus: an integration agenda
and implications for urban governance. Polit Geogr 61:215–223