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The impact of hierarchical positions on communities of learning

  • Martin Rehm
  • Wim Gijselaers
  • Mien Segers
Article
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Abstract

Communities of Learning (CoL) are an innovative methodological tool to stimulate knowledge creation and diffusion within organizations. However, past research has largely overlooked how participants’ hierarchical positions influence their behavior within CoL. We address this shortcoming and provide empirical evidence on 25 CoL for a global training program, analyzing user statistics from 249 staff members. Our results indicate that participants’ level of activity and performance are significantly influenced by their hierarchical position. We also discover a duality among participants holding low hierarchical positions. The implications of these results and future research avenues are discussed.

Keywords

Communities of learning Content analysis Hierarchical positions Learning in organizations 
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© International Society of the Learning Sciences, Inc. 2014

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Learning Lab | Educational Media & Knowledge ManagementUniversity Duisburg-EssenDuisburgGermany
  2. 2.School of Business and Economics, Department of Educational Research and DevelopmentUniversity MaastrichtMaastrichtThe Netherlands

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