Soekijad, M., van den Hooff, B.J., Agterberg, L. and Huysman, M. (2011). Leading to learn in networks of practice: Two leadership strategies Organization Studies, 32(8):1005--1027.
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Affiliated author
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Publication year2011
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JournalOrganization Studies
This paper outlines two leadership strategies to support organizational learning through networks of practice (NOPs). An in-depth case study in a development organization reveals that network leaders cope with a learning tension between management involvement and emergent learning processes by enacting two strategies: brokering and buffering (B\&B), or conducting and controlling (C\&C). The latter strategy implies a one-sided emphasis on institutionalization, whereas a B\&B strategy implies mediating and shielding the network from too much management intervention. The B\&B strategy appears more useful for achieving multilevel organizational learning through NOPs; this study thereby contributes to theory about learning and NOPs. {\textcopyright} The Author(s) 2011.