Title: Measuring the impact of communities of practice: a conceptual model

Authors: Donald C. Ropes

Addresses: Centre for Research in Intellectual Capital, INHOLLAND University, Wildenborch 6 1112 XB Diemen, Holland

Abstract: Communities of practice (CoPs) impact different actors in different ways. Because using a singular approach would not do justice to the complexity that surrounds CoPs, a multi-disciplinary and pluralistic approach is used here to develop a model for measuring the impact CoPs may have on individuals, groups and the organisations in which they are situated. A review of the literature showed no such comprehensive model. In fact, empirical work on CoPs, in general, is scarce and evaluations of them are underdeveloped. Most assessments are look at process alone, or try to link output to anecdotal evidence. I try to fill this gap by presenting a multi-disciplinary conceptual model that approaches measuring certain types of impact a CoP has on individuals and groups that are functioning as CoPs. I also make a theoretical link to how CoPs may contribute to organisational capability.

Keywords: communities of practice; CoPs; impact measurement; organisational learning; group learning; organisational impact; organisational capability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLIC.2011.037361

International Journal of Learning and Intellectual Capital, 2011 Vol.8 No.1, pp.94 - 107

Published online: 27 Nov 2014 *

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