Production and Use of Knowledge in Communities of Practice: the Context of an Agricultural Cooperative

Abstract

This paper aims to demonstrate aspects present in the production of knowledge on farms linked to agricultural cooperative. The research is a descriptive study employing both qualitative and quantitative data. The investigation has involved one case study from documentation and in loco observation, questionnaire, interview, and focus group instruments. The data found have favored the development of a representative scenery of aspects involved in the production of knowledge. The results have demonstrated that to produce knowledge there is a necessity of group relationships and leadership regarding property, communities of practice (CoPs) or cooperatives. Cultural aspects and relation styles as well as the way farmers conduct their business are able to affect the modes of production of knowledge. For instance: on a farm with people constantly interested in interacting, questioning, and innovating, there is more scope to transform tacit knowledge into explicit one. There is a large gap between farmers’ knowledge and their ability to develop an attitude that enables improved business success.