Knowledge Networks: Innovation Through Communities of Practice

Knowledge Networks: Innovations Through Communities of Practice draws on the experience of people who have worked with CoPs in the real world and to present their combined wisdom in a form that is accessible to a wide audience. CoPs are examined from a practical, rather than a purely academic point of view. The book also examines the benefits that CoPs can bring to an organization, provides a number of case studies, lessons learned and sets of guidelines. It also looks at virtual CoPs and to the future by asking 'what next?' This book is a resource for all people who work with CoPs - both in academia and in the real world.

After 11 years teaching Modern Languages, Paul Hildreth returned to university studies and pursued a course in IT completing both an MSc and a DPhil and focusing his work in the field of Knowledge Management, specifically explore the emerging and fascinating field of Communities of Practice and their impact on knowledge management efforts. Having completed his DPhil, Paul now runs his own independent Knowledge Management and computer consultancies.

Chris Kimble is a lecturer in Information Systems in the Department of Computer Science at the University of York. Before moving to York, he was lecturer at the University of Newcastle's Business School, and a researcher for the Business School and Department of Computer Science at the University of Northumbria. His broad area of research is Knowledge Management. His areas of particular interest are Communities of Practice and the problems associated with supporting distributed working in a cross-cultural or trans-national context. He is the leader of Management and Information Systems Research group at York and a co-founder of the Northern Interest Group on Information Systems and Organisations (NISG). He has supervised a number of PhD students and has published over 40 articles in journals, conferences, reports and books. He is the academic contact for Knowledge Management for the WUN (Worldwide Universities Network) at the University of York and is a member of the editorial board of the journal Information Research.