Title: Communities of practice in innovation management: sensemaking challenges to mobile organisations

Authors: Christopher J. Brown, Philip Frame

Addresses: Managing Director, Innovative Management Solutions Consultancy Ltd., Golden Row, Whipsnade Green, Whipsnade, Beds LU6 2LQ, UK. ' Principal Lecturer, Middlesex University Business School, The Burroughs, Middlessex NW4 4BT, UK

Abstract: This research article explores the social issues of subjectivity in innovation management, by discussing the significance that communities| symbolic interpretation has on their sensemaking and engagement in informal innovation communities. This article presents our research findings which suggest the positive contribution that cognitive mapping of communities| sensemaking can have an aid to understand the relationships between the symbolic interpretation of organisational events, and innovative outcomes, and the functional community members| engagement with an informal innovation community. The article concludes by discussing the implications for future innovation management in these mobile organisations.

Keywords: communities of practice; innovation management; mobile organisations; sensemaking; symbolic interpretation; informal innovation communities; cognitive mapping.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMLO.2007.016173

International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 2007 Vol.1 No.4, pp.305 - 326

Published online: 07 Dec 2007 *

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