Communities of Practice at the World Bank: Breaking Knowledge Silos to Catalyze Culture Change and Organizational Transformation

Illustrated by the experience of the World Bank, this book explains how knowledge management, traditionally viewed as being about information systems and processes, can play a fundamental corporate role by creating a competitive edge for organizations, increasing team performance, and fostering effective, large-scale organizational change. Rich and powerful stories, told by economic development practitioners and knowledge management specialists throughout the World Bank, describe the strategies, instruments, tools, and processes at the core of one of the most important and radical reorganizations of the world’s premier international development institution. Going far beyond other knowledge management titles, this book:

• shows how knowledge management can be a source of competitive advantage and team performance, rather than a back-room support function
• focuses on the role of the "software" of knowledge management, most notably the use of communities, culture, and collaboration across internal silos to create value; and
• demonstrates the role that knowledge management can play in fostering innovation, and development of new business lines and strategies by global teams in diverse locations

Written not only for knowledge management professionals, but also for C-suite executives and middle managers who will see the benefits of bringing knowledge management to the core of organizational performance and competitive advantage, the book provides practical examples that can be replicated in other large global knowledge, financing, and development institutions and that will be relevant for public, private, and non-profit organizations.

Dr. Ede Ijjasz-Vasquez is a non-resident senior fellow with the Brookings Institution, and senior advisor to several financial international organizations. He retired from the World Bank in 2021, after 23 years, where he was part of the senior leadership team responsible for the sustainable development, infrastructure, and climate change portfolio. Knowledge management was the glue that delivered innovation to the 90 developing countries his team covered. Ede holds a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, MA.

Philip Karp retired from the World Bank in 2020 after 26 years. During his career he lead the knowledge and learning agenda of one of the largest global technical practices as well as teams in the World Bank Institute, the East Asia region, and the Beijing office, where he spearheaded the World Bank’s engagement with China on South-South cooperation. Phil holds a master's degree in public policy degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

Dr. Monika Weber-Fahr is an adjunct professor at the Hertie School of Governance (Berlin) and advises international organizations, multi-stakeholder partnerships, businesses and governments on innovative approaches to cooperation and result orientation. Until 2020, Monika served as CEO and Executive Secretary of the Global Water Partnership (GWP). For over 20 years, she worked with the World Bank Group, including as Director for Knowledge, Learning, and Results for Sustainable Development.