Growing the ERM Energy and Climate Change Practice Through Knowledge Sharing

2010 ◽  
Vol 09 (03) ◽  
pp. 241-250
Author(s):  
Susanne Etti ◽  
Karen Perkinton ◽  
Bonnie Cheuk ◽  
John Curtis
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Community Of Practice ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Business Leaders ◽  
Leadership Role ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
Service Offering ◽  
Training Service

Given the scale of the climate change crisis and the small window available in which to take action, Environmental Resources Management (ERM) has accelerated and supported the growth of the Energy and Climate Change practice by investing in training, service offering development, sales support, and knowledge management. This paper outlines the innovative approach that the Energy and Climate Change (E&CC) community of practice (CoP) has taken over the last two years to accelerate the growth of the practice using a holistic approach in the promotion of knowledge sharing at all levels across the company. The approach has shown that there are key factors that contribute to the success of the E&CC CoP. Central to this success is the close partnership and relationships between the knowledge sharing facilitator and the business leaders. The approach also demonstrates that the leader must take an active leadership role and spend sufficient time with members of the CoP.

Designing, Setting Up, and Facilitating a Knowledge Sharing Virtual Community of Practice, between Social Work Lecturers in the UK and India

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 22-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Williams
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Community Of Practice ◽  
Virtual Community ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Virtual Community Of Practice ◽  
One Year ◽  
The Uk

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of a virtual Community of Practice (vCoP) which was developed between social work lecturers in two University settings – one in the UK and the other in India. The design and methodology draws on qualitative data collected from online discussions and semi-structured questionnaires arising from the involvement of twelve participants over a one year period. An Action Research method was adopted which allowed the shift of power from the designer to the participants over the year. This paper illustrates how a vCoP can be an ideal tool to aid communication and knowledge sharing between universities within an international context. It adds value by increasing the knowledge of participant lecturers to more than local perspectives and gives a greater understanding of social work from an international, cross-country, perspective. Although one of the limitations is that this is a small scale study, it does raise important considerations necessary for ensuring the success for vCoP’s and offers a model to aid successful online collaboration as well as important messages for those who are developing online courses and teaching within an international environment. It further gives insight into adopting Action Research as a research methodology that can be usefully used for online collaborative research.

Usefulness of a virtual community of practice and Web 2.0 tools for general practice training: experiences and expectations of general practitioner registrars and supervisors

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Barnett ◽  
Sandra C. Jones ◽  
Sue Bennett ◽  
Don Iverson ◽  
Andrew Bonney
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Community Of Practice ◽  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Professional Isolation ◽  
Social Media Tools ◽  
General Practice Training ◽  
Gp Training

General practice training is a community of practice in which novices and experts share knowledge. However, there are barriers to knowledge sharing for general practioner (GP) registrars, including geographic and workplace isolation. Virtual communities of practice (VCoP) can be effective in overcoming these barriers using social media tools. The present study examined the perceived usefulness, features and barriers to implementing a VCoP for GP training. Following a survey study of GP registrars and supervisors on VCoP feasibility, a qualitative telephone interview study was undertaken within a regional training provider. Participants with the highest Internet usage in the survey study were selected. Two researchers worked independently conducting thematic analysis using manual coding of transcriptions, later discussing themes until agreement was reached. Seven GP registrars and three GP supervisors participated in the study (average age 38.2 years). Themes emerged regarding professional isolation, potential of social media tools to provide peer support and improve knowledge sharing, and barriers to usage, including time, access and skills. Frequent Internet-using GP registrars and supervisors perceive a VCoP for GP training as a useful tool to overcome professional isolation through improved knowledge sharing. Given that professional isolation can lead to decreased rural work and reduced hours, a successful VCoP may have a positive outcome on the rural medical workforce.

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