Identifying Functions of Online Community of Practice

Nowadays, there is a growing trend in the constitution of community of practice (COP) through cell phone communication software. So, studies about COP and its functions seem necessary. In this research, the positive functions of COP have been identified through theme analysis, and then the identifie...

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Main Authors: ali hamidizadeh, reza tahmasebi, atefeh zarean shirvan deh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Tehran 2018-03-01
Series:Journal of Information Technology Management
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jitm.ut.ac.ir/article_63293_f3bd290c6668de9ad28422ef6221adc6.pdf
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author ali hamidizadeh
reza tahmasebi
atefeh zarean shirvan deh
author_facet ali hamidizadeh
reza tahmasebi
atefeh zarean shirvan deh
author_sort ali hamidizadeh
collection DOAJ
description Nowadays, there is a growing trend in the constitution of community of practice (COP) through cell phone communication software. So, studies about COP and its functions seem necessary. In this research, the positive functions of COP have been identified through theme analysis, and then the identified functions have been categorized using exploratory factor analysis. This research has been done in two phases using mixed-method approach. In the qualitative phase, library resources and in the quantitative phase, researcher-made questionnaire were used. In addition, in the qualitative phase, the functions were identified through literature review. The statistical population of the quantitative phase includes employees of public organizations and private firms who are a member of any groups, consisting of their colleagues, on their cell phones using social communication software such as: Telegram, WhatsApp, and Viber. Purposive sampling was used to select the groups and the individuals. 446 individuals, within 19 groups, filled out the questionnaire. 38 main themes have been identified and divided into 6 categories of innovation and problem solving, information and knowledge exchange, collective identity, knowledge ability, continual development, gain and create value.
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spelling doaj-art-c06ea9a455d143aaa44e2af1b3cfefc52025-08-20T03:05:17ZengUniversity of TehranJournal of Information Technology Management2008-58932423-50592018-03-0110112210.22059/jitm.2017.236658.207963293Identifying Functions of Online Community of Practiceali hamidizadeh0reza tahmasebi1atefeh zarean shirvan deh2Assistant Prof. in Public Administration, Farabi Campus University of Tehran, Qom, IranAssistant Prof. in Human Resources Management, Farabi Campus University of Tehran, Qom, IranMS.c. in Public Administration, Farabi Campus University of Tehran, Qom, IranNowadays, there is a growing trend in the constitution of community of practice (COP) through cell phone communication software. So, studies about COP and its functions seem necessary. In this research, the positive functions of COP have been identified through theme analysis, and then the identified functions have been categorized using exploratory factor analysis. This research has been done in two phases using mixed-method approach. In the qualitative phase, library resources and in the quantitative phase, researcher-made questionnaire were used. In addition, in the qualitative phase, the functions were identified through literature review. The statistical population of the quantitative phase includes employees of public organizations and private firms who are a member of any groups, consisting of their colleagues, on their cell phones using social communication software such as: Telegram, WhatsApp, and Viber. Purposive sampling was used to select the groups and the individuals. 446 individuals, within 19 groups, filled out the questionnaire. 38 main themes have been identified and divided into 6 categories of innovation and problem solving, information and knowledge exchange, collective identity, knowledge ability, continual development, gain and create value.https://jitm.ut.ac.ir/article_63293_f3bd290c6668de9ad28422ef6221adc6.pdfCommunication SoftwareCommunity of PracticeExploratory factor analysisKnowledge ManagementTheme Analysis
spellingShingle ali hamidizadeh
reza tahmasebi
atefeh zarean shirvan deh
Identifying Functions of Online Community of Practice
Journal of Information Technology Management
Communication Software
Community of Practice
Exploratory factor analysis
Knowledge Management
Theme Analysis
title Identifying Functions of Online Community of Practice
title_full Identifying Functions of Online Community of Practice
title_fullStr Identifying Functions of Online Community of Practice
title_full_unstemmed Identifying Functions of Online Community of Practice
title_short Identifying Functions of Online Community of Practice
title_sort identifying functions of online community of practice
topic Communication Software
Community of Practice
Exploratory factor analysis
Knowledge Management
Theme Analysis
url https://jitm.ut.ac.ir/article_63293_f3bd290c6668de9ad28422ef6221adc6.pdf
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