Determinants of participation in an online community of practice (OCoP)

Abstract

In 2008, a cohort of Inuit researchers met in Ottawa for a two-week training course on Inuit health research and planning. A means for ongoing communication after the course was necessary to build on their acquired knowledge. Research shows that online communities of practice (OCoPs) are often unsuccessful due to factors such as a lack of time and a lack of member involvement in design of the OCoP. The objective of this research was to find the determinants that impact participation in an OCoP of members from a cohort of Inuit researchers. An open-ended interview questionnaire was developed and members were interviewed. Results show lack of time as the main barrier to participation. Involvement in the development of an updated OCoP is of interest to many members. In a culture that has been built and sustained by knowledge sharing, an OCoP is a legitimate tool.