Practice Research Collaboratives: Promising Communities of Research?

Purpose: This article reflects an analysis of the establishment and development of the Practice Research Collaborative on Organizational Supports (PRC-OS) within the International Community of Practice Research. The basic thesis concerns the importance of building intersecting special interest groups to form communities of research practice. Methods: The study is a qualitative case study, consisting of diverse data as written documents, field notes, and participative observation. A thematic and abductive analysis was conducted. Results: Sharing of practices and knowledge, values and ethos are important factors to develop the PRC-OS, as is also negotiations on participation and organization. These themes are intertwined and must be considered important factors that need continuous attention and negotiation in order for the collaborative to sustain and thrive. Discussion: Contextualized within theories on communities of practice, the PRC-OS facilitates for a trialogical learning process and it develops in cyclical phases of commitment, start-up, and operating.