Private and personal”

Corporate political activity, informal governance, and the undermining of marketing regulation in Brazil

Bibliographic Data

ID15540937
AuthorsCamila Maranha Paes De Carvalho (0000-0002-3659-140X, Universidade Federal Fluminense, corresponding author), Paula Johns (0000-0002-0868-0894, Associação Brasileira de Saúde Coletiva), Marília Sobral Albiero (Associação Brasileira de Saúde Coletiva), Ana Paula Bortoletto Martins (0000-0003-3560-4472, Universidade de São Paulo), Laís Amaral Mais (0000-0003-0993-2798, Instituto Brasileiro de Defesa do Consumidor), R Ralston (0000-0001-8664-3565, University of Edinburgh), Jeff Collins (0000-0003-0874-8892, University of Edinburgh)
Year2021
Volume17
Issue9
Pages1902-1912
Publication date2021-10-14
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGlobal Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1744-1692 • E-ISSN: 1744-1706
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17441692.2021.1988128
PMID34648410
OpenAlexW3205644997
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited32

Few studies have investigated corporate political activity by unhealthy commodity industries in low- and middle-income countries, and the significance of social and political context has been largely neglected. This study aimed to explore the stalled development of marketing restriction policies in Brazil with an analysis of strategies used to undermine the Legal Framework for Early Childhood. Using a constructivist approach based on a typology of corporate political strategies, decision-making processes were assessed to understand interference by food companies in the Legal Framework, and how this was perceived by policy actors. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with public health advocates, academics and legislature officials. Three broad strategies that contributed to the stalling of marketing restrictions in the Legal Framework were identified: relational approaches to policy influence; collective participation in formal decision-making; and specific strategy choices (information and financial incentives). Key opportunities for policy influence through informal social networks in the 'backstage' of policy making are found to privilege commercial sector actors. Informal policy making may have a critical function in obstructing the development of health-focused regulation in Brazil. This highlights the need for a better understanding of non-codified and hidden corporate efforts to shape the policy environment

Business · Context (archaeology · Corporate governance · Influencer marketing · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Relationship marketing · Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology · Marketing

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