Knowledge Networks: Innovation through Communities of Practice

An interview with Paul Hildreth and Chris Kimble, authors of Knowledge Networks: Innovation through Communities of Practice, is presented. They define Communities of Practice (CoPs) as essentially social networks based on organizational learning that enhance organizational effectiveness. Their membe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Information management 2005-03, Vol.18 (1/2), p.24-25
Main Authors: Hildreth, Paul, Kimble, Chris
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Communities of practice
Explicit knowledge
Groups
Innovations
Knowledge management
Organizational learning
Social capital
Social networks
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:An interview with Paul Hildreth and Chris Kimble, authors of Knowledge Networks: Innovation through Communities of Practice, is presented. They define Communities of Practice (CoPs) as essentially social networks based on organizational learning that enhance organizational effectiveness. Their members share a common history, interact frequently, exchange knowledge and experience similar concerns. CoPs can be thought of as engines to create new knowledge, or as learning communities that build social capital. However, because CoPs are social networks, they cannot easily be built or created. There is often a tension between the formal requirements for accountability in an organization and the informal nature of CoPs.
ISSN:1080-286X