Processos de aprendizagem em uma comunidade de prática virtual : um estudo de caso no grupo de usuários TOTVS RS

Abstract

Nowadays a new era is becoming reflected in the dynamics of the organizational environment and it undergoes a revolution driven by technological change. The study of organizational learning emerges as a response to organizations seeking to improve their performance and become increasingly competitive. Organizational learning allied to technology influenced studies in the theory of Communities of Practice (CoP) initiating interaction, exchange of information and knowledge through the processes of formal and informal learning. By the way this study is based in the field of learning in distributed communities that remotely enjoy the technological environment, initiating the Virtual Communities of Practice (VCoP). The aim of this work was to understand how learning the formal and informal learning happen within a VCoP. processes take place within a VCoP . The specific objectives were: i) identify characteristics of VCoP, ii) analyze the processes of interaction between members and the context of the emergence and development of the group, iii ) describe the formal and informal learning processes that generate learning , iv) identify interactions of organizational and interorganizational levels arising from the online community and finally , v) analyze the contribution of the results from the participation in VCoP by the professionals activities of the members. The construction of the theoretical framework approached the organizational and interorganizational learning , formal and informal learning processes, CoP, and in the end, it is going to approach some recent studies on VCoP. As a research methodology , the study is characterized as qualitative and the nature exploratory. The development of the study was carried out through the case study research, about one single case. Data collection was carried out through triangulation of information , with semi-structured questions , analysis of documents and through a natural participant observation . The study participants were members of the user group of Rio Grande do Sul Totvs ( RS - GU ) in which we discuss issues relating to Totvs’ line of software products. As a result it was identified learning in formal and informal processes, both of which complement each other. Became evident that learning occurs both in the online forum and physical meetings that doing the group stronger. The coordination is essential to organize and lead the group, and members solve problems and share experiences and information and learning daily, continuously creating value for the company and gaining experience with this spontaneous interaction. Future studies with other VCoP, and quantitative studies are recommended to complement new researches.