Today's economy is fueled by knowledge. Every leader knows this to be true, yet few have systematic methods
for converting organizational knowledge into economic value. This book argues that communities of practice--groups
of individuals formed around common interests and expertise--provide the ideal vehicle for driving knowledge-management
strategies and building lasting competitive advantage. Written by leading experts in the field, Cultivating Communities
of Practice is the first book to outline models and methods for systematically developing these essential groups.
Through compelling research and company examples, including DaimlerChrysler, McKinsey & Company, Shell, and
the World Bank, authors Etienne Wenger, Richard McDermott, and William M. Snyder show how world-class organizations
have leveraged communities of practice to drive strategy, generate new business opportunities, solve problems,
transfer best practices, develop employees' professional skills, and recruit and retain top talent. Underscoring
the new central role communities of practice are playing in today's knowledge economy, Cultivating Communities
of Practice is the definitive guide to fostering, designing, and developing these powerful groups within and across
organizations.
