scholarly journals Introduction to the thematic file

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 12-17
Author(s):  
Karine Goglio-Primard ◽  
Claude Guittard ◽  
Thierry Burger-Helmchen
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Know How ◽  
Business Units ◽  
Geographically Dispersed ◽  
Networks Of Practice ◽  
Informal Settings

This chapter aims at a better understanding of the dynamics leading firms to create Networks of practice (NoP) to transfer knowledge and know-how between its geographically dispersed business units. In this introduction we focus on the complementarity between communities of practice (CoP) and networks of practice (NoP) inside firms to share knowledge and consolidate organizational learning. We show that informal settings where people interact around their practices, such as CoP facilitate and consolidate knowledge sharing inside firms and enable them to create a larger network. After a literature review on CoP and NoP, the chapter will highlight the role of CoP and boundaries processes (brokers, boundary objects) in the development of NoP.

scholarly journals Translators as Networkers: The Role of Virtual Communities

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (42) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Hanna Risku ◽  
Angela Dickinson
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Empirical Study ◽  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Commercial Interest

Recent years have seen a rise in the importance of virtual and real-life knowledge sharing communities and communities of practice across many fi elds of private and commercial interest, including professional translation. This article examines the characteristics of knowledge sharing communities in general, identifies their key elements, looks at the motivation for membership and presents an empirical study of life in a thriving virtual translation community. In doing so, it draws on the results of a literature review combined with a participant observation based study and member survey of a major virtual translation community. The results indicate that virtual translation communities can be lively platforms and offer translators a forum not only for sharing expert knowledge and collaborating, but also for keeping in touch with like-minded individuals.

Efficacy of Organizational Learning and Social Capital in Online Communities of Practice

2018 ◽  
pp. 96-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serkan Gürsoy ◽  
Murat Yücelen
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Online Communities ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Online Communities Of Practice

This chapter deals with the evolution of communities of practice by considering two key components which facilitate knowledge sharing: Organizational Learning and Social Capital. Dualities and intersections between the building blocks of these two components are investigated by discussing organizational learning in its explorative and exploitative forms, while considering social capital in its bridging and bonding forms. As a critical contemporary step of evolution, information and communication technologies are also elaborated in order to examine the impact of constant and instant tools on these facilitators of knowledge sharing. The study aims to derive proxies among these components of organizational learning and social capital in order to design an integrated framework that reflects the nature of online communities of practice.

Sociotechnical Theory and Communities of Practice

2009 ◽  
pp. 78-81
Author(s):  
Andrew Wenn
Keyword(s):  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Virtual Community ◽  
Geographically Dispersed ◽  
Interorganizational Communication ◽  
Virtual Community Of Practice ◽  
Sociotechnical Theory ◽  
To Come ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Social Entities

Communities of practice (CoPs), by their nature, are social entities. Such communities may be large or small, geographically dispersed or located within a confined region. Essentially, communities of practice consist of members who chose to come together because they have a passionate dedication to sharing knowledge and a desire to develop their own and other’s capabilities (Wenger & Snyder, 2000). No matter what type of CoP (collocated or virtual; intra or interorganizational) communication is one of the prime desiderata. Thus, it is highly likely that technology of some form will be involved. For instance, a virtual community of practice may use e-mail or a more sophisticated groupware application to keep in touch. CoPs within a knowledge management environment will certainly have access to technology. To understand the workings of such communities requires a theory that enables us to deal at the levels of the individual, the group, and the larger world in which the community is embedded (Lave, 1988). Any such theory must be able to account for the role of technology within the community as well as its social aspects.

A Conceptual Proposition

2016 ◽  
pp. 1921-1934
Author(s):  
Ahmad Vazehi Ashtiani ◽  
Sharmila Jayasingam
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Contextual Influence ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Resource Based Theory

This conceptual paper proposes social capital as a possible moderator of the relationship between commonly identified knowledge sharing enablers in the literature and knowledge sharing (KS). A literature review was carried out to determine the contextual influence of the level of social capital within communities of practice (CoPs). Propositions were developed based on a review of past studies addressing KS enablers and KS. The literature review revealed that prior studies built on resource-based theory (RBT) and knowledge-based view of the firm (KBV) focused on organizational enablers of KS without any concern for the contextual influence such as the level of social capital of CoPs. Further analysis indicated that social capital could possibly moderate the impact of commonly identified KS enablers. These insights are presented as propositions in this conceptual paper. This paper addresses a gap in the area of KS. It questions the results of past studies and proposes the needs to consider the level of social capital when identifying appropriate KS enablers.

Communities of practice as an initiative for knowledge sharing in business organisations: a literature review

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 731-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abobakr Aljuwaiber
Keyword(s):  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Potential Barriers ◽  
Organisational Factors ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose This paper aims to review the research and to summarise the evidence on communities of practice (CoPs) as a tool for sharing knowledge. It will highlight the related literature from the past two decades by looking at potential barriers, solutions and influential factors regarding CoPs within business organisations. Design/methodology/approach The study consists of a constructed approach to determine the sources for the review that covers relevant literature on the topic of CoPs. Findings This paper provides insights about the important role of CoPs in fostering knowledge-sharing within business organisations. It suggests that the impact of globalisation has encouraged many business firms to intentionally establish CoPs as a vital tool for knowledge management (KM) initiatives. It also appears that the importance of the three organisational factors – top management, structure and culture – lies in their ability to have a direct effect on intentionally established CoPs within business organisations. Research limitations/implications The paper suggests a number of ways in which intentionally established CoPs can be developed within business companies. This paper limited its review to three organisational factors. Investigation of other organisational factors is needed. Originality/value This paper provides a detailed insight into the management literature on CoPs as an initiative for knowledge sharing within business organisations.

Organizational learning culture and workplace spirituality

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monthon Sorakraikitikul ◽  
Sununta Siengthai
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Workplace Spirituality ◽  
Learning Culture ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Learning Culture

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of organizational learning culture as an enabler of knowledge-sharing behaviours and workplace spirituality. A model is proposed to examine the mediating role of knowledge-sharing behaviours between organizational learning culture and workplace spirituality. Design/methodology/approach – Employees from various Thai industries participated in the study, and structural equation modelling was used to test hypothesized relationships. Findings – Results suggest a positive relationship between organizational learning culture and workplace spirituality, partially mediated by knowledge-sharing behaviours. Research limitations/implications – The study was limited to Thailand, and is a cross-sectional design. Further investigation into the causality of relationships and cultural disparities is needed. Practical implications – Friendly learning environments enable both knowledge sharing and change organization members’ views regarding learning and performance improvements for organizational sustainability. Originality/value – This paper bridges a gap between theory and practice concerning the outcomes of organizational learning and factors that lead to workplace spirituality.

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