Internet-Mediated Communities of Practice (IMCoPs): A Meta-analysis of Critical Elements

In order to realize specific goals on informal learning, knowledge management and professional identity reform and development, more and more people, groups and organizations are looking to develop Internet-mediated communities of practice (IMCoP). Harnessing the perceived values of communities across educational or business context requires well-designed settings and great efforts on cultivation to achieve a sustainable level of functionality, communality, collaboration and knowledge sharing. Our work aims at categorizing specific critical elements of the IMCoP via meta-analysis and synthesis of related literature focusing on structural characteristics, motivators, success factors and barriers.