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Learning and Knowledge Sharing in Virtual Communities of Practice: Motivators, Barriers, and Enablers

Department of Work and Human Resource Education at the University of Minnesota

The problem and the solution . Virtual (online) communities of practice (VCoPs; when community members share and cocreate knowledge in online discussions and other forms of knowledge exchange) are increasingly viewed as important vehicles of collective learning in the workplace. Currently, factors leading to successful online knowledge sharing are not well understood. This article is based on an extensive review of online learning, knowledge management, and online communication literature, and proposes a framework for understanding motivators, barriers, and enablers for successful online knowledge sharing and learning. The framework includes key motivational factors, such as utilitarian considerations, value-based considerations, and sense of community and belonging; barriers to online knowledge sharing, including interpersonal factors, procedural and/or use of technology-related factors, and cultural norms; and enablers of VCoP knowledge sharing, including supportive organizational culture, presence of personal knowledge-based trust, and availability of adequate tools. The article concludes with specific recommendations for promoting and supporting vibrant and productive VCoPs.

Key Words: virtual communities of practice • knowledge sharing • online learning

This version was published on August 1, 2008

Advances in Developing Human Resources, Vol. 10, No. 4, 541-554 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1523422308319536


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