During the past several decades, information technologies have had profound impacts on organizations and societies of all size and types. In today's rapidly changing information science discipline, it is extremely important for researchers, educators, and policy makers to keep up with the latest research and practices of the utilization and sharing of information and knowledge management and their organizational and sociotechnical impacts.

The Encyclopedia of Communities of Practice in Information and Knowledge Management is the leading reference source for dynamic and innovative research in the field of communities of practice (CoPs) in information and knowledge management. With knowledge management work on the increase, this single volume encyclopedia provides a comprehensive, critical and descriptive examination of all facets of CoPs in information and knowledge management in societies and organizations. Hundreds of international researchers provide in-depth coverage of conceptual and practical issues as well as topics regarding learning, leadership, ethics, social, intellectual, rewards, and language challenges.

Coverage:

The many academic areas covered in this publication include, but are not limited to:

Collective learning within CoPs
CoPs and knowledge management
CoPs and organizational development - ethics and values?
CoPs and the development of core competencies
CoPs for cross-functional working
Intellectual Capital
Knowledge Management Infrastructure
Language (and symbol) development
Leadership issues
Narrative inquiry and CoPs
Philosophy and Theory of CoPs/KM
Reward systems and CoPs
Social/intellectual capital
Strategic advantages of CoPs
Using communities to support political action (charitable organizations)
Using CoPs for organizational learning

Reviews & Statements

"The encyclopedia is highly recommended for large public, community college, and academic libraries."

– American Reference Books Annual (ARBA) 2006, Volume 37

"I highly recommend it for collections dealing with KM at any level."

– Online Information Review 30 (1)
>"I believe that this encyclopedia will become the leading reference source for dynamic and innovative research in the field of communities of practice (CoPs) for some time to come."
– Journal of Knowledge Management Practice, October 2005
The book is a significant contribution due to its innovative approach to CoPs, and information and knowledge management.
– Nuria Cunill, Program Director, Centro Latinoamericano de Administracion para el Desarrollo (CLAD)
This Encyclopedia is a significant resource in building a more shared understanding of communities of practice, developed by a multidisciplinary team and with stakeholders of many origins in mind.
– Prof. Barbara Cargill, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia "This encyclopedia has a breadth and depth that makes it a valuable reference work for anyone, from those very familiar with communities of practice in information and knowledge ma
"The Encyclopedia of Communities of Practice in Information and Knowledge Management is the most comprehensive and useful reference source for Information and Knowledge Management, and is an invaluable contribution for both academic and public libraries."
– Dr. Fei Gao, JAIST, Japan
To put into one single cotainer all available knowledge about some topics that appears is nearly an impossible task. In terms of the effort the authors have put into producing the book they deserve being successful. They have collected more than 100 entries from many authors and from places all around the globe. To scan the book is definitely worthy; to read the work useful; and to buy it is an effort that should be delegated to our University libraries.
– Journal of the Operational Research Society, Issue 58, (2007)
This encyclopedia is the largest collection to date of practical examples and theoretical discussions from practitioners and academics on how CoPs can support organizations in both the public and private sectors. It can be considered the leading reference source in its field for students, managers and academics involved or interested in the field of CoPs for information and knowledge management in societies and organizations.
– Lan Anh Tran, Online Information Review, Victoria University of Wellington
Focusing on the concept of communities of practice (CoPs), one of the major areas within the field of knowledge management, this encyclopaedia is impressively international in authorship. Over 100 entries from the Americas, Southeast Asia, Asia, and Europe offer a diversity of theories and experiences.
– Pam White, West Dorset General Hospitals NHS Trust, United Kingdom

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Editor/Author Biographies

Elayne Coakes is a senior lecturer in business information management. She has a BA (Pub Admin) from Sheffield Polytechnic, a MSc (information systems), and a PhD (information systems) from Brunel University. Her current research relates to knowledge sharing in organizations. She is an internationally acknowledged expert on sociotechnical thinking and knowledge management. She was a visiting professor in Seville University (Spain), under the government grant scheme for distinguished, international scholars, a visiting research fellow in Queens University (Canada), and a keynote speaker at Manchester University (UK) at the Tribute day for Enid Mumford. As the Vice-Chair of the BCS Sociotechnical Special Group she is active in promoting information systems and has edited three books of international contributions in this field. Since then she has co-authored Beyond Knowledge Management and the Encyclopedia of Communities of Practice in Information and Knowledge Management. Additionally, she has published more than sixty book chapters, peer reviewed journal articles, and conference papers.
Steve Clarke, Ph.D.received a BSc in Economics from The University of Kingston Upon Hull, an MBA from the University of Luton, and a PhD in human centred approaches to information systems development from Brunel University (UK). He is a professor of Information Systems in the University of Hull Business School (UK). He has extensive experience in management systems and information systems consultancy and research, focusing primarily on the identification and satisfaction of user needs and issues connected with knowledge management. His research interests include: social theory and information systems practice; strategic planning; and the impact of user involvement in the development of management systems. Professor Clarke is the co-editor of two books, Socio-Technical and Human Cognition Elements of Information Systems, 2003 published by Idea Group Publishing, and Beyond Knowledge Management, 2004 published by Idea Group Publishing.

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Editorial Advisory Board

Dr. Fei Gao
JAIST, Japan
John Edwards
Aston University, UK
Brian Lehaney
Coventry University, UK
Miles G. Nicholls
RMIT University, Australia
Dr. Jose-Rodrigo Cordoba-Pachon
University of Hull Business School, U.K.
Barbara J. Cargill
Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
Barbara Allan
University of Hull Business School, U.K.
Andrew Wenn
Victoria University of Technology, Australia
Dr. M. Gordon Hunter
University of Lethbridge, Canada