DETERMINING THE IMPACT OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON WORK VALUES

This paper analyzes and describes how communities of practice (CoP) effected on business values which were applied in a particular case company as a vehicle for encouraging product and process innovation. More specifically, the effectiveness of these communities was discussed in relation to eight work values – structural, cultural, communicational, teamwork, work organizational, satisfaction, participation, empowerment and commitment. Analysis of these eight dimensions was useful in examining the role played by these communities within the case company. The paper concludes by considering the lessons for managers that can be drawn from this analysis.