"This book provides a sound understanding of the managerial implications of communities of practice as well as their opportunities and limits for knowledge management"--nota del editor.

Information is considered essential in every business model, which is why staying abreast of the latest resources can help combat many challenges and aid businesses in creating a synthesis between people and information, keeping up with evolving technologies, and keeping data accurate and secure. The Handbook of Research on Knowledge Management for Contemporary Business Environments is a critical scholarly publication that examines the management of knowledge resources in modern business contexts. Including a wide range of topics such as information systems, sustainable competitive advantage, and knowledge sharing, this publication is a vital reference source for managers, academicians, researchers, and students seeking current research on strategies that are able to manage the information in more than one context for present and future generations.

This book celebrates the past, present and future of knowledge management. It brings a timely review of two decades of the accumulated history of knowledge management. By tracking its origin and conceptual development, this review contributes to the improved understanding of the field and helps to assess the unresolved questions and open issues. For practitioners, the book provides a clear evidence of value of knowledge management. Lessons learnt from implementations in business, government and civil sectors help to appreciate the field and gain useful reference points. The book also provides guidance for future research by drawing together authoritative views from people currently facing and engaging with the challenge of knowledge management, who signal a bright future for the field.

This book presents the proceedings of the XXII International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, International IIE Conference 2016, and International AIM Conference 2016. This joint conference is a result of an agreement between ADINGOR (Asociación para el Desarrollo de la Ingeniería de Organización), ABEPRO (Associação Brasileira de Engenharia de Produção), AIM (European Academy for Industrial Management) and the IIE (Institute of Industrial Engineers), and took place at TECNUN-School of Engineering (San Sebastián, Spain) from July 13th to 15th, 2016. The book includes the latest research advances and cutting-edge analyses of real case studies in Industrial Engineering and Operations Management from diverse international contexts, while also identifying concrete business applications for the latest findings and innovations in operations management and the decisions sciences.

"This book provides theoretical frameworks and empirical research findings to assist managers, academics and consultants gain a thorough understanding of intellectual capital and social capital as a base for improving their tasks"--Provided by publisher.

This book develops and examines the concepts and strategies for rural empowerment through the formation of a community-driven social knowledge management (SKM) framework aided by social technology. The framework is aimed at mobilizing knowledge resources to bridge the rural–urban knowledge divide while securing rural empowerment using digital connections and social collaborations built on strategies of self-sustenance and self-development. With key empirical findings supplemented by relevant theoretical structures, case studies, illustrative figures and a lucid style, the book combines social technologies and social development to derive a social knowledge management platform. It shows how the proposed SKM framework can enhance knowledge capabilities of rural actors by facilitating connection among rural–urban entities through formation of purposive virtual communities, which allow social agents to create, modify and share content collaboratively. The volume brings forward diverse issues such as conceptual foundations; bridging the rural–urban knowledge and information divide; issues of information and knowledge asymmetry; a knowledge-theoretic perspective of rural empowerment; knowledge capability, freedom of choice and wellbeing, to provide a comprehensive outlook on building a knowledge society through digital empowerment. This book will be useful to scholars and researchers of development studies, rural sociology, management studies, IT/IS, knowledge management and ICT for development, public policy, sociology, political economy and development economics. It will benefit professionals and policymakers, government and nongovernment bodies and international agencies involved with policy decisions related to application of technologies for rural development, social workers and those in the development sector.

This book offers a holistic introduction to Organizational Change Management through a distinct and timely perspective of organizational change agency. It takes a highly practical and unique approach, with cutting-edge chapters on digital transformation, creativity, power and inclusivity and diversity. Key features include: Case Studies based on real companies, which can be used to study chapter topics across a variety of international contexts, industries, and organizational forms. Experiential and Discussion Activities which provide an opportunity to gain invaluable insight needed in the workplace.

With the future of education being disrupted and the onset of day-to-day uncertainties and challenges that have to be solved quickly, teachers are now turning to professional development communities/support communities where they can share and learn about effective practices to use in the classroom. While transitioning to blended or online learning and keeping up with the technological advances in education, these communities provide an essential backbone for teachers to rely on for support and updated knowledge on what educational practices are being utilized, how they are working, and what solutions have been found for the ever-changing climate of education. Research on the benefits and use of these communities, as well as on the latest educational practices, is essential in teacher development and student learning in the current culture of a rapidly changing educational environment. The Research Anthology on Facilitating New Educational Practices Through Communities of Learning contains hand-selected, previously published research that provides information on the communities of learning that teachers are currently involved in to seek the latest educational practices. The chapters cover the context of these communities, the benefits, and an overview of how this support is a necessary tool in today’s practices of teaching and learning. While highlighting topics such as learning communities, teacher development, mentoring, and virtual communities, this book is essential for inservice and preservice teachers, administrators, teacher educators, practitioners, stakeholders, researchers, academicians, and students who are interested in how communities of practice tie into professional development, teacher learning, and the online shift in teaching.

Research on organisational learning, knowledge and capabilities has indeed become one of the most fruitful and interesting areas in the field of management, and has not only improved our understanding of organisations, but also helped them to face the new challenges of our turbulent age. Are our organizations learning to face a new age? What kinds of learning and knowledge are necessary to understand our age? What new lights can help us to understand organisational learning and knowledge? Are there shades? Shedding New Lights dispels uncertainties and provides a better observation and understanding of this particular phenomenon. This book includes an overview of the major topics on organisational learning, knowledge and capabilities. There are three parts: the first focuses on organisational learning, and particularly on practice and communities of practice. The second part deals with knowledge creation and transfer, two main knowledge management processes that are extremely relevant for firm performance. Finally, the third part examines the phenomenon of ambidexterity (explorative and exploitative learning) and the absorptive capacity of the firm.

The introduction of social media has given many communities the opportunity to connect and communicate with each other at a higher level than ever before. Many organizations, from businesses to governments, have taken advantage of this important tool to conduct research and enhance efficiency. Libraries and educational institutions have also made use of social media to enhance educational marketing, engage with learning communities, adapt educational tools, and more. The Research Anthology on Applying Social Networking Strategies to Classrooms and Libraries describes the applications, tools, and opportunities provided by the intersection of education and social media. It also considers the ways in which social media encourages learner engagement and community participation. Covering topics such as data collection, online professional learning networks, and reinforcement learning, this major reference work is a dynamic resource for pre-service teachers, teacher educators, faculty and administrators of both K-12 and higher education, librarians, archivists, government officials, researchers, and academicians.