Communities of practice as a vehicle for research into business improvement practice

The concepts of engaged scholarship and reflective practice are discussed in order to suggest that establishment of a reflective practicum may be a useful way both to effect and disseminate research. This paper describes the establishment of a community of practice of business improvement professionals for a series of workshops at the University of Portsmouth. The authors discuss these activities as an approach to business research. The nature and aims of these workshops are outlined, together with a discussion of the interactions of this community and the outcomes derived from them. The achievements of the community to date are evaluated and the authors go on to reflect upon the value of these activities as expressed by the participants, and to draw out some lessons for future development.