Abstract Following the success of online communities of practices (Online CoPs) in the business sector for the professional development of employees, the idea of fostering the online cultivation of CoPs in educational institutions for the professional development of faculty members has been researched and practiced. Although this topic has not achieved maturity in the literature, this study is based on contingency theory/perspective views that the fundamentals of educational institutions are different from the fundamentals of business organizations. This means the research and implementation of Online CoPs with regard to educational institutions are unique and thus different from those of business organizations. Consequently, this study aimed to highlight the research gaps regarding the methodological approaches, the limited scope and conceptualization of online CoPs, the limitations of theoretical foundations underlying CoPs, and the benefits and barriers of online CoPs in educational institutions. A critical semi-structured review methodology was employed. The findings expose the critical theoretical limitations and highlight the distinctive barriers and benefits of using online CoPs. Four promising research avenues are successively elaborated for the contingency-based theory development of online CoPs and provide grounds for their implementation in educational institutions.

Resumen Después del éxito de las comunidades de prácticas en línea (CdP en línea) en el sector empresarial para el desarrollo profesional de los empleados, se ha investigado y practicado la idea de cultivar CdP en línea en instituciones educativas para el desarrollo profesional de los profesores. Si bien este tema no ha alcanzado madurez en la literatura, este estudio desde la teoría/perspectiva de la contingencia considera que los fundamentos de las instituciones educativas son diferentes a los fundamentos de las organizaciones empresariales. Esto significa que la investigación y la implementación de CoP en línea en instituciones educativas son únicas y, por tanto, diferentes de las organizaciones empresariales. En consecuencia, este artículo tuvo como objetivo resaltar las brechas de investigación con respecto a los enfoques metodológicos, el alcance limitado y la conceptualización de las CoP en línea, las limitaciones de los fundamentos teóricos que subyacen a las CoP y los beneficios y barreras de las CoP en línea en las instituciones educativas. Se empleó una metodología crítica de revisión semiestructurada. Los hallazgos exponen las limitaciones teóricas críticas de la literatura actual y resaltan las barreras distintivas y los beneficios del uso de CoP en línea. A continuación, se elaboran cuatro vías de investigación prometedoras para el desarrollo de la teoría basada en contingencias de las CoP en línea y se brindan las bases para su implementación en las instituciones educativas.

Abstract Paper aims Extant Literature based on the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm suggests that it can be used to study organizations of all types and sizes. In essence, the RBV argues that firms that possess rare, non-imitable, valuable, unique, and non-substitutable resources will outperform firms that do not possess such resources. This study questions the applicability of this assumption to smaller businesses, which are likely to have common resources readily available in the market rather than rare, non-imitable, non-substitutable, unique, or valuable resources. The purpose of this study is to discuss whether the composition-based view (CBV) of the firm offers a more promising approach than the RBV to studying small businesses. Originality This study is one of the first to tentatively suggest a change in theoretical approach when studying small businesses. Research method A structured critical review approach is taken. Main findings The findings reveal that the CBV offers a more promising and appropriate theoretical framework than the RBV for research on small businesses, whereas the RBV is better suited to research on larger firms. Implications for theory and practice Future studies can use the RBV and the CBV to study large and small businesses, respectively.