The speed of data collection, an increase in the volume and complexity of data, the pressure to be innovative and adaptable, and the need to learn and share across geographic and corporate boundaries are just a few of the factors that make managing knowledge central to any organizations success today. Knowledge creates the capacity for effective action, and making that knowledge flow in a way that supports organizational learning is a key component, perhaps the most vital asset, for a learnin...

The phrase communities of practice is relatively new; the concept and its utility is not. Simply put, a community of practice is a learning community. When people realize that they can benefit from sharing their knowledge, experience and insights with like-minded and similarly-motivated people, the seed for a community of practice gets planted. E-learning communities, continuing education groups, cooperative education groups and apprenticeship programs are all, in some form or fashion,...