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arXiv · 0804.2851

Identifying 'Hidden' Communities of Practice within Electronic Networks: Some Preliminary Premises

Richard Ribeiro·Chris Kimble
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Abstract

This paper examines the possibility of discovering 'hidden' (potential) Communities of Practice (CoPs) inside electronic networks, and then using this knowledge to nurture them into a fully developed Virtual Community of Practice (VCoP). Starting from the standpoint of the need to manage knowledge, it discusses several questions related to this subject: the characteristics of 'hidden' communities; the relation between CoPs, Virtual Communities (VCs), Distributed Communities of Practice (DCoPs) and Virtual Communities of Practice (VCoPs); the methods used to search for 'hidden' CoPs; and the possible ways of changing 'hidden' CoPs into fully developed VCoPs. The paper also presents some preliminary findings from a semi-structured interview conducted in The Higher Education Academy Psychology Network (UK). These findings are contrasted against the theory discussed and some additional proposals are suggested at the end.

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Richard Ribeiro, Chris Kimble. 2008-04-17. Identifying 'Hidden' Communities of Practice within Electronic Networks: Some Preliminary Premises. https://arxiv.org/abs/0804.2851

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