Title: Communities of practice and value co-creation: the motivational engagement system of the Italian consortia

Authors: Monica Fait; Paola Scorrano; Lea Iaia; Federica Cavallo; Amedeo Maizza

Addresses: Department of Management, Economics, Mathematics and Statistics, University of Salento, via per Monteroni s.n., 73100 Lecce, Italy ' Department of Management, Economics, Mathematics and Statistics, University of Salento, via per Monteroni s.n., 73100 Lecce, Italy ' Department of Business Administration, University 'Gabriele d'Annunzio' of Chieti-Pescara, Viale Pindaro 42, 65127 Pescara, Italy ' Department of Management, Economics, Mathematics and Statistics, University of Salento, via per Monteroni s.n., 73100 Lecce, Italy ' Department of Management, Economics, Mathematics and Statistics, University of Salento, via per Monteroni s.n., 73100 Lecce, Italy

Abstract: The research moves from the idea that there is a relationship between the motivation (engagement) to exchange knowledge in communities of practice, where the generation of knowledge is implemented in terms of solving common problems - and the value co-creation process planning along its three dimensions (social, economic and environmental). The aim was to investigate how the make-up of the motivational engagement system of the companies that allows to communities of practice to become an innovative process to reinforce relationships. We used a conceptual framework called CDI (Connection, Discussion and Influence), elaborated in previous studies, which has been tested in the protection consortia of the Italian agri-food sector. In these, the hypothesised virtuous circle among the CDI dimensions exists and is a driver to enhance their relational heritage through the knowledge exchange. The paper provides fundamental guidelines to enhance engagement in these virtual environments.

Keywords: communities of practices; engagement; value co-creation process; agri-food sector; consortia; online communities; influence; discussion; connection; Italy.

DOI: 10.1504/JGBA.2020.110616

Journal for Global Business Advancement, 2020 Vol.13 No.2, pp.141 - 161

Received: 19 May 2020
Accepted: 19 May 2020
Published online: 26 Oct 2020 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article