Enhancing knowledge exchange through Communities of Practice at the Inter-American Development Bank

A relatively new and spontaneous organisational form, simply referred to as Bank Networks or Communities of Practice (CoPs) (informal groups of professional workers who share similar interests and goals), have emerged in the past few years at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). They are complementing the existing structures and enhancing knowledge exchange and organisational learning. These Bank Networks position the Institution in an optimal situation to explore to a greater extent the benefits of knowledge exchange and leveraging of institutional knowledge. The article examines, evaluates and gives the main findings of an empirical study of the nature, structure and activities carried out by the existing Bank's Communities of Practice. Some ideas as to whether organisations should be supporting and encouraging the formation and development of Communities of Practice, and whether and how their proliferation should be fostered, are offered for consideration.