Prioritising Corporate Political Activity across Unhealthy Commodity Industries in Portugal

Background

Corporate political activity (CPA) refers to practices used by commercial actors to influence policy processes to safeguard their interests. Several unhealthy commodity industries (UCI) use similar strategies, yet little is known about which are perceived as most influential in shaping public health policy. This study applied a concept mapping-based framework prioritise CPA strategies in Portugal used by UCI in Portugal.

Methods

A concept mapping exercise was conducted with 11 experts from academia with experience in research on UCI in Portugal. Participants generated, sorted into thematic groups, and rated statements describing CPA used by UCI in Portugal. Strategies were rated according to perceived severity (potential to influence public policy) and ease of observation. Multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis produced a two-dimensional point map and cluster solution. ANOVA tests assessed differences in mean ratings across clusters.

Results

Seventy-two CPA strategies were identified and organised into six clusters: Political access; Alliances & networks; Discursive strategies; Targeted marketing; Scientific influence; and Corporate Social Responsibility & Legitimacy. Strategies related to political access and alliance-building were rated as most severe and least easy to observe. In contrast, discursive and marketing strategies were more visible but perceived as less severe. Differences across clusters were statistically significant for both severity and ease of observation (p < 0.001). Participants also identified governance gaps, including limited lobbying transparency and weak safeguards.

Conclusions

In Portugal, CPA strategies perceived as most influential operate through less visible mechanisms such as political access and networked influence. These findings highlight the need for safeguards addressing conflicts of interest, lobbying transparency, and industry involvement in policy and scientific spaces.

Key messages

• Less visible CPA strategies, such as political access and alliances, are perceived as most influential in shaping public health policy.

• Hidden forms of influence, such as political access and networks, highlight the need for stronger governance safeguards.