Communities of Practice as Stimulating Forces for Collective Learning

Autor/inn/en	Mittendorff, Kariene; Geijsel, Femke; Hoeve, Aimee; de Laat, Maarten; Nieuwenhuis, Loek
Titel	Communities of Practice as Stimulating Forces for Collective Learning
Quelle	In: Journal of Workplace Learning, 18 (2006) 5, S.298-312 (15 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1366-5626
DOI	10.1108/13665620610674971
Schlagwörter	Learning Processes; Educational Change; Groups; Models; Case Studies; Foreign Countries; Learning Theories; Outcomes of Education; Data Analysis; Administrators; Vocational Education; Netherlands + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Learning process; Lernprozess; Bildungsreform; Analogiemodell; Case study; Fallstudie; Case Study; Ausland; Learning theory; Lerntheorie; Lernleistung; Schulerfolg; Auswertung; Ausbildung; Berufsbildung; Niederlande
Abstract	Purpose: The purpose of this research is to get a clear view on how can we judge groups in relation to the characteristics of a community of practice (CoP), and the presence of collective learning in these groups. Design/methodology/approach: A review of literature on collective learning and CoPs led to the development of a conceptual model, which was tested through case study research against empirical data from three groups in organizations. Findings: The groups differed concerning group characteristics, but also concerning the collective learning processes and learning outcomes present. The group that can be characterized as a CoP learns a lot, but the (learning) processes in the group are not always in favour of the organizational learning process. Research limitations/implications: The conceptual framework was helpful to evaluate the characteristics of CoPs in relation to collective learning. These findings suggest that it will be interesting to expand the model, for example with consideration to the way CoPs experience the need to change. Practical implications: The developed framework might help managers to judge if groups in an organization have characteristics of a CoP, if they are in balance and what might be needed to develop towards an ideal CoP with a great learning potential. Originality/value: A first attempt is made to build a framework for judging CoPs for several aspects of their functioning. The research also shows that CoPs are not always stimulating forces for organizational learning. (Contains 1 table and 1 figure.) (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10