A process model for collaborative problem solving in virtual communities of practice

Abstract

We present a model for collaborative problem solving in Virtual Communities of Practice. The model applies a repository, comprising resources, properties and statements, to underpin the process of problem-solving. The process allows for formulating, exploring, matching and gradually refining abstract problem descriptions (one kind of resource) into the corresponding concrete solutions (another kind of resource), expanding the underlying repository with new resources, properties and statements in the process. The model is defined formally, its usefulness is argued with a simple case study and a possible implementation is described using Semantic Web.