The role and function of communities of practice as a tool for organizational learning

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:The objective of this study is to gain an understanding of the role and function ofCommunities of Practice in managing organizational knowledge. This thesisviews the organization as a learning system and focuses on key characteristicsof a learning organization and Communities of Practice. The interrelationship aswell as the details of these themes is described in detail.Some organizations seek to become learning organizations. Yet, implementationis elusive and is not often based on research about what constitutes a learningculture.The goals of this study is to review and analyze the key characteristics oflearning organizations and Communities of Practice how they develop, andwhere does one start if a learning organization is to be created.A qualitative research methodology to answer the why and how question isfollowed to describe, explain and interpret the findings.The literature review covers specific definitions, aspects and general factorsconcerning CoP's and learning organizations.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University