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Exploring the Potential of Communities of Practice for Learning and Collaboration in a Higher Education Context

2012; Elsevier BV; Volume: 46; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.05.385

1877-0428

Israel Sánchez‐Cardona, José Sánchez-Lugo, Julia VŽlez-González,

Management and Organizational Studies

This paper examines the potential of communities of practice (CoP) as vehicles that promote learning and collaboration within organizations. Based on the idea that enhancing these capabilities will have an impact on organizational functioning, we present a qualitative study of five CoP in an educational setting. By analyzing eighteen interviews we identified learning and collaboration as the primary benefits of community activities. Learning included the promotion of formal and informal activities organized by community members. Collaboration was improved by establishing networks and professional alliances. The development of these benefits influenced the promotion of new practices.