Cultivating Communities of Practice: A Guide to Managing Knowledge. Etienne Wenger

Today's economy is driven by knowledge. Every leader knows it, but few have a systematic way to turn organizational knowledge into economic value. This book argues that communities of practice—groups of individuals united by shared interests and expertise—provide the ideal vehicle for implementing knowledge management strategies and building lasting competitive advantage. Authors Etienne Wenger, Richard McDermott, and William M. Snyder, leading experts in the field, show how world-class organizations use communities of practice to execute strategy, create new business opportunities, solve problems, transfer best practices, develop employee skills, and recruit and retain talent. The book argues that communities of practice are central to today's knowledge economy and are a key tool for developing these powerful groups within and outside organizations.