<p>A complex system is a system for which the statement "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts" holds. A network can be viewed as a backbone of a complex system. Combining the knowledge about the entities constituting the complex system with the properties of the interaction patterns we can get a better understanding of why the whole is greater than the sum. One of the purposes of network studies, is to relate the particular structural and dynamical properties of the network to the function it is designed to perform. In the present work I am briefly presenting some of the advances that have been achieved in the field of the complex networks together with the contributions which I have been involved in.</p>

A complex system is a system for which the statement "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts" holds. A network can be viewed as a backbone of a complex system. Combining the knowledge about the entities constituting the complex system with the properties of the interaction patterns we can get a better understanding of why the whole is greater than the sum. One of the purposes of network studies, is to relate the particular structural and dynamical properties of the network to the function it is designed to perform. In the present work I am briefly presenting some of the advances that have been achieved in the field of the complex networks together with the contributions which I have been involved in.

This thesis consists of two parts: Part I (Chapters 2 and 3) critically assesses a set of methodological tools that are widely used in the literature and that are applied to the empirical analysis in Part II (Chapters 4 and 5). Using a randomised experiment, the first chapter compares pen-and-paper interviewing (PAPI) with computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI). We observe a large error count in PAPI, which is likely to introduce sample bias. We examine the effect of PAPI consumption measurement error on poverty analysis and compare both applications in terms of interview length, costs and respondents’ perceptions. Next, we formalise an unproven source of ordinary least squares estimation bias in standard linear-in-means peer effects models. Deriving a formula for the magnitude of the bias, we discuss its underlying parameters. We show when the bias is aggravated in models adding cluster fixed effects and how it affects inference and interpretation of estimation results. We reveal that two-stage least squares (2SLS) estimation strategies eliminate the bias and provide illustrative simulations. The results may explain some counter-intuitive findings in the social interaction literature. We then use the linear-in-means model to estimate endogenous peer effects on the awareness of a community-based development programme of vulnerable groups in rural Tanzania. We denote the geographically nearest neighbours set as the relevant peer group in this context and employ a popular 2SLS estimation strategy on a unique spatial household dataset, collected using CAPI, to identify significant average and heterogeneous endogenous peer effects. The final chapter investigates social network effects in decentralised food aid (free food and food for work) allocation processes in Ethiopia, in the aftermath of a serious drought. We find that food aid is responsive to need, as well as being targeted at households with less access to informal support. However, we also find strong correlations with political connections, especially in the immediate aftermath of the drought.

<p>With this essay we have had the intention of observing Linköping University as an example of a public authority undergoing change. In the information society of today, the increasing competition and internationalization affects, not only companies and organizations, but also the public sector. After having been concerned with neutral information spread only, according to"the third mandate", employees at the Department of Information at Linköping University has also started dealing with marketing, so as to increase the recruitment of students. As a result of this, the work team has been divided into an editorial staff and a department with emphasis on market issues. To strengthen the trademark of Linköping University one has chosen to mediate certain values representative for the university - an interdisciplinary and innovative approach and an entrepreneurial spirit. The technical developments of today have also influenced information related activities at the university, due to increasing usage of the Internet. Our essay deals with the complex of problems which can arise when a traditonal organization faces increased competition and new technical conditions.</p> / <p>Med denna uppsats har vi haft för avsikt att uppmärksamma Linköpings universitet som ett exempel på en samhällsinstitution i förändring. I dagens informationssamhälle påverkar en ökande konkurrens och internationalisering inte bara företag och organisationer utan även den offentliga sektorn. Från att enbart ha arbetat med neutral informationsspridning enligt"det tredje uppdraget", har man på informationsavdelningen vid Linköpings universitet även kommit att arbeta med marknadsföring, bland annat i syfte att öka studentrekryteringen. Detta har resulterat i en uppdelning av arbetet i en journalistisk redaktion och en mer marknadskommunikativt inriktad avdelning. För att stärka varumärket Linköpings universitet har man valt att förmedla vissa kärnvärden som ska vara representativa för verksamheten – tvärvetenskap, nytänkande och entreprenörsanda. Även dagens teknikutveckling har påverkat arbetet med information vid universitetet, då man de senaste åren även arbetar med Internet som informationskanal. Vår uppsats behandlar den problematik som kan uppstå då en traditionell organisation möter ett ökat marknadstryck och nya tekniska förutsättningar. </p>

With this essay we have had the intention of observing Linköping University as an example of a public authority undergoing change. In the information society of today, the increasing competition and internationalization affects, not only companies and organizations, but also the public sector. After having been concerned with neutral information spread only, according to"the third mandate", employees at the Department of Information at Linköping University has also started dealing with marketing, so as to increase the recruitment of students. As a result of this, the work team has been divided into an editorial staff and a department with emphasis on market issues. To strengthen the trademark of Linköping University one has chosen to mediate certain values representative for the university - an interdisciplinary and innovative approach and an entrepreneurial spirit. The technical developments of today have also influenced information related activities at the university, due to increasing usage of the Internet. Our essay deals with the complex of problems which can arise when a traditonal organization faces increased competition and new technical conditions. / Med denna uppsats har vi haft för avsikt att uppmärksamma Linköpings universitet som ett exempel på en samhällsinstitution i förändring. I dagens informationssamhälle påverkar en ökande konkurrens och internationalisering inte bara företag och organisationer utan även den offentliga sektorn. Från att enbart ha arbetat med neutral informationsspridning enligt"det tredje uppdraget", har man på informationsavdelningen vid Linköpings universitet även kommit att arbeta med marknadsföring, bland annat i syfte att öka studentrekryteringen. Detta har resulterat i en uppdelning av arbetet i en journalistisk redaktion och en mer marknadskommunikativt inriktad avdelning. För att stärka varumärket Linköpings universitet har man valt att förmedla vissa kärnvärden som ska vara representativa för verksamheten – tvärvetenskap, nytänkande och entreprenörsanda. Även dagens teknikutveckling har påverkat arbetet med information vid universitetet, då man de senaste åren även arbetar med Internet som informationskanal. Vår uppsats behandlar den problematik som kan uppstå då en traditionell organisation möter ett ökat marknadstryck och nya tekniska förutsättningar.