Cultivating communities of practice: Work cultures in tree planting camps in northern Ontario

The thesis analyzes the structure and organization of the tree planting industry and the development of communities of practice among tree planters in northern Ontario. The communities of practice concept was developed by Wenger and his colleagues to analyze knowledge-based social structures. Communities of practice are groups of people who develop a body of common knowledge, practices, and approaches to the immediate purpose that brings them together. They also develop personal relationships, established ways of interacting, and often a common sense of identity.;The objective of the study is to better understand the formation of communities of practice among tree planters, and the factors that cause variations in communities of practice between camps in northern Ontario. The empirical analysis draws on interviews conducted during the 2004 planting season with workers in three tree planting camps, a short survey of tree planting contractors, and four seasons of planting experience by the author. By analyzing the temporal and geographical variations in communities of practice between camps the thesis develops an understanding of how communities of practice in tree planting camps form, mature, and transform. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).