Knowledge Exchange in Networks of Practice

Encyclopedia of Communities of Practice in Information and Knowledge Management ◽

10.4018/978-1-59140-556-6.ch047 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 272-277

Author(s):

Robin Teigland ◽

Molly McLure Wasko

Keyword(s):

Community Of Practice ◽

Knowledge Economy ◽

Knowledge Exchange ◽

External Environment ◽

Face To Face ◽

Mutual Engagement ◽

New Knowledge ◽

Communication And Coordination ◽

Interpersonal Ties ◽

Networks Of Practice

The concept of a community of practice is emerging as an essential building block of the knowledge economy. A community of practice consists of a relatively tightly knit group of members who know each other, work together face to face, and continually negotiate, communicate, and coordinate with each other directly. The demands of direct communication and coordination limit the size of the community, enhance the formation of strong interpersonal ties, and create strong norms of direct reciprocity between members (Brown & Duguid, 2000). These communities develop through the mutual engagement of individuals as they participate in shared work practices, supporting the exchange of ideas between people, which results in learning and innovation within the community (Brown & Duguid, 2000). However, typically not all of an organization’s relevant knowledge resides within its formal boundaries or within its communities of practice. To remain competitive, organizations need to ensure that new knowledge found in the external environment is integrated with knowledge that is found within the firm (Cohen & Levinthal, 1990). Organizations must rely on linkages to outside organizations and individuals to acquire knowledge, especially in dynamic fields where innovation results from inter-organizational knowledge exchange and learning (Cohen & Levinthal, 1990).

Get full-text (via PubEx)

Knowledge Exchange in Electronic Networks of Practice

Encyclopedia of Information Science and Technology, First Edition ◽

10.4018/978-1-59140-553-5.ch309 ◽

2005 ◽

pp. 1757-1762

Author(s):

Robin Teigland ◽

Molly Wasko

Keyword(s):

Organizational Learning ◽

Knowledge Economy ◽

Knowledge Exchange ◽

Building Blocks ◽

Social Structures ◽

Electronic Networks ◽

Online Networks ◽

Face To Face ◽

Mutual Engagement ◽

Networks Of Practice

Communities of practice (CoPs) are regarded as essential building blocks of the knowledge economy, and organizations are promoting them as sources of competitive advantage and facilitators of organizational learning. Within organizations, CoPs have traditionally emerged through the mutual engagement in work by individuals who are either physically co-located or who frequently meet face-to-face (Orr, 1996; Wenger, 1998). In an effort to replicate traditional CoPs online and in response to hypercompetitive conditions and increasing complexity, numerous organizations have implemented online networks to facilitate knowledge sharing. We refer to these online social structures focused on knowledge exchange as “electronic networks of practice” (ENoPs).

Get full-text (via PubEx)

Learning and knowledge as interrelations between CoPs and NoPs

The Learning Organization ◽

10.1108/tlo-11-2012-0077 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 70-82 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Cathrine Filstad

Keyword(s):

Communities Of Practice ◽

Community Of Practice ◽

Content Type ◽

Singular Form ◽

New Knowledge ◽

Informal Communities ◽

Formal Network ◽

Networks Of Practice ◽

Depth Interviews

Purpose – The purpose of the study is to investigate the characteristics and interrelations between informal communities of practice and formal networks of practice and its consequences for learning and new knowledge at work. Design/methodology/approach – A case study was conducted in a Norwegian bank using qualitative explorative studies and in-depth interviews with financial advisers and their leaders. Findings – The findings demonstrate that in the absence of integration efforts via a network of practice, multiple communities of practice to ensure knowledge flow is not enough. By the same token, it is possible for new knowledge to be accepted where a community of practice functions cohesively in a singular form in close interrelation with network of practices, but only when both communities of practice and network of practices are supported by a participatory leader. Research limitations/implications – The total of 30 in-depth interviews might call for further studies. Also, studying a Norway bank alliance does not account for cultural differences between countries. Originality/value – To the author's knowledge there are no studies that investigate the interrelations between informal communities of practice and formal network of practices.

Get full-text (via PubEx)

Electronic Networks of Practice and Communities of Practice

Encyclopedia of Virtual Communities and Technologies ◽

10.4018/978-1-59140-563-4.ch035 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 188-192

Author(s):

Robin Teigland ◽

Molly McLure Wasko

Keyword(s):

Communities Of Practice ◽

Computer Mediated Communication ◽

Knowledge Exchange ◽

Social Structures ◽

Mediated Communication ◽

Electronic Networks ◽

Face To Face ◽

Geographically Dispersed ◽

Bulletin Boards ◽

Networks Of Practice

Recent advances in ICT have led to the emergence of online social structures where the primary purpose is knowledge exchange. Using computer-mediated communication technologies, such as newsgroups, listservs, and bulletin boards, an unlimited number of geographically dispersed individuals with diverse organizational, national, and demographic backgrounds share knowledge through helping each other solve problems, debating issues around shared interests, and telling stories of personal experiences (Sproull & Faraj, 1995; Wasko & Faraj, 2000). Individuals benefit from participation in this online knowledge exchange since they gain access to help and expertise that are often not available locally. While knowledge exchange in traditional face-to-face communities of practice within organizations has received considerable attention, we know much less about the dynamics underlying electronic networks and have yet to reach a consensus defining the phenomenon of interest. For example, online social structures focused on knowledge exchange are commonly referred to by numerous names: virtual or electronic communities, communities of interest, and online communities. Additionally, both practitioners and researchers tend to take a unitary view of both communities of practice and electronic networks, thus masking possible heterogeneity along a number of important dimensions. Yet without clear definitions of electronic networks, it is difficult to apply overarching theories that are both appropriate and generalizable, to compare across studies, and to build a coherent stream of research. Thus, this article’s purpose is twofold: (1) to define and describe the specific characteristics of one form of online social structure, an electronic network of practice and (2) to compare electronic networks of practice with communities of practice in order to highlight the roles of each for supporting learning and knowledge exchange focused on a shared practice.

Get full-text (via PubEx)

Book review

Acta Oeconomica ◽

10.1556/aoecon.52.2002.4.6 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 52 (4) ◽

pp. 503-514

Author(s):

András Simonovits ◽

Ádám Török ◽

Beatrix Lányi

Keyword(s):

Central Europe ◽

Knowledge Economy ◽

International Competitiveness ◽

Regional Studies ◽

Academic Press ◽

Eu Membership ◽

New Knowledge ◽

Edward Elgar

T. Boeri - A. Börsch-Supan - A. Brugviani - R. A. Kapteyn - F. Peracchi (eds): Pensions: More Information, Less Ideology(Boston/Dordrecht/London: Kluwer Academic Press, 2001, 196 pp.) B. Å. Lundvall - G. Esping-Andersen - L. Soete - M. Castells - M. Telò - M. Tomlinson - R. Boyer - R. M. Lindley (ed.: M. J. Rodrigues): The New Knowledge Economy in Europe. A Strategy for International Competitiveness and Cohesion (Cheltenham, UK, Northampton, MA, USA: Edward Elgar, 2002, 337 pp.) G. Gorzelak - É. Ehrlich - L. Faltan - M. Illner: Central Europe in Transition: Toward EU Membership (Warsaw: Regional Studies Association, 2001, 371 pp.)

Get full-text (via PubEx)

Children's palliative care: examination of a nursing rotation programme

International Journal of Palliative Nursing ◽

10.12968/ijpn.2021.27.1.20 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 20-29

Author(s):

Lisa Whiting ◽

Mark Whiting ◽

Julia Petty ◽

Michele O'Grady

Keyword(s):

Palliative Care ◽

Learning Experience ◽

Knowledge Exchange ◽

Comfort Zone ◽

New Knowledge ◽

Support Mechanisms ◽

Hospital Wards ◽

Competency Assessments ◽

Insight Into ◽

Future Plans

Background: An 8-month rotation programme was implemented for five nurses employed in two kinds of children's palliative care environments: hospital wards and hospices. This study reports the views of the nurses completing the rotation. The research drew on appreciative inquiry and involved a pre- and post-rotation interview and questionnaire. Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed seven themes: adjusting to the rotation programme; support mechanisms; being safe; new knowledge and skills; knowledge exchange; misconceptions; future plans. These were supported by the questionnaire findings. Although the nurses identified some frustration at having to undertake competency assessments relating to previously acquired skills, as well as being out of their ‘comfort zone’, all the participants highly recommended the programme. They commented very positively on the support they received and the overall learning experience as well as the new insight into different aspects of care. In addition, they were able to share their newfound knowledge and expertise with others.

Get full-text (via PubEx)

Identifying key network characteristics for agricultural innovation: A multisectoral case study approach

Outlook on Agriculture ◽

10.1177/0030727018760604 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 19-26

Author(s):

Evelien Lambrecht ◽

Maarten Crivits ◽

Ludwig Lauwers ◽

Xavier Gellynck

Keyword(s):

Success Factors ◽

Knowledge Exchange ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Agricultural Innovation ◽

Network Characteristics ◽

Face To Face ◽

Study Approach ◽

Innovation Characteristics ◽

Depth Interviews

This article identified network characteristics critical for successful agricutural innovations within networks, or a set of interrelated organizations aiming at knowledge exchange for innovations. To explore key success factors, the research questioned how networks cope with innovation characteristics and combined network characteristics with four innovation characteristics in four agricultural sub-sectors. Data were collected from in-depth interviews with farmers and network coordinators and from focus group discussions with farmers active in Flanders, the northern part of Belgium. Factors particularly helpful for success in agricultural innovation networks include numerous contacts, integration of knowledge providers in the network structure, face-to-face communication, a self-initiated coalition and surpassing innovation beyond the mere agricultural level, through collaboration with people from outside the sector. The findings are useful for academics, network coordinators and network members, possibly leading to a higher innovation performance via networking.

Get full-text (via PubEx)

Knowledge Management for Fostering Biostatistical Collaboration within a Research Network: The RTRN Case Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph15112533 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (11) ◽

pp. 2533

Author(s):

Jae Lee ◽

Jung Sung ◽

Daniel Sarpong ◽

Jimmy Efird ◽

Paul Tchounwou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Management ◽

Needs Assessment ◽

Research Collaboration ◽

Knowledge Exchange ◽

Research Network ◽

Outreach Program ◽

Face To Face ◽

Strategic Approach ◽

Challenges And Opportunities ◽

Collaborative Engagement

Purpose: While the intellectual and scientific rationale for research collaboration has been articulated, a paucity of information is available on a strategic approach to facilitate the collaboration within a research network designed to reduce health disparities. This study aimed to (1) develop a conceptual model to facilitate collaboration among biostatisticians in a research network; (2) describe collaborative engagement performed by the Network’s Data Coordinating Center (DCC); and (3) discuss potential challenges and opportunities in engaging the collaboration. Methods: Key components of the strategic approach will be developed through a systematic literature review. The Network’s initiatives for the biostatistical collaboration will be described in the areas of infrastructure, expertise and knowledge management and experiential lessons will be discussed. Results: Components of the strategic approach model included three Ps (people, processes and programs) which were integrated into expert management, infrastructure management and knowledge management, respectively. Ongoing initiatives for collaboration with non-DCC biostatisticians included both web-based and face-to-face interaction approaches: Network’s biostatistical capacities and needs assessment, webinar statistical seminars, mobile statistical workshop and clinics, adjunct appointment program, one-on-one consulting, and on-site workshop. The outreach program, as a face-to-face interaction approach, especially resulted in a useful tool for expertise management and needs assessment as well as knowledge exchange. Conclusions: Although fostering a partnered research culture, sustaining senior management commitment and ongoing monitoring are a challenge for this collaborative engagement, the proposed strategies centrally performed by the DCC may be useful in accelerating the pace and enhancing the quality of the scientific outcomes within a multidisciplinary clinical and translational research network.

Get full-text (via PubEx)