Abstract

This study examines knowledge-sharing practices within a community of practice (CoP) through a case study of the Fresh Produce and Floral Council (FPFC). The study sought to investigate how the FPFC promoted agricultural knowledge and expertise, impacted its members' social relationships and knowledge-sharing practices, communicated clear roles and expectations, and provided valuable and accessible resources. A mixed-methods approach was employed to investigate the research questions, which involved conducting a survey and utilizing descriptive statistics, frequencies, and Spearman correlations to analyze both the Likert scale and open-ended responses. The findings suggested that the FPFC has a knowledge-sharing culture promoting active participation and collaboration among members, with room for improvement in knowledge-sharing practices. Additionally, FPFC positively impacts members' social relationships and prioritizes knowledge-sharing, with a need for further education and promotion of these benefits. Also, clear communication of roles and expectations is essential in any CoP. There may be a need to further clarify the community's goals and purpose to ensure member engagement and alignment. Finally, members perceived FPFC's resources as valuable and relevant, but there is a need for improvement in their accessibility and availability. Overall, the study provided valuable insights for developing new methods of knowledge-sharing and onboarding within the agriculture industry to address the aging crisis and ensure the industry's future. Thus, it was essential to explore the value of knowledge-sharing practices and technology for communication within the community to contribute to developing virtual CoPs enabling knowledge transfer and relationship building for agriculture professionals.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Knowledge management--Agriculture; Community organization; Apprenticeship programs--Agriculture; Agriculture--Knowledge and learning

Date of Award

2023

School Affiliation

Graduate School of Education and Psychology

Department/Program

Education

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctorate

Faculty Advisor

Paul Sparks

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