Externe Expertengemeinschaften im Produktionssektor- Orte gelingender Wissenskooperation : Grundlegung zu einer kritischen Theorie einer co-competitiven beruflichen Praxis von High Professionals

Object of this study are external: interorganizational and globally operating communities of practice of high professionals (experts) in the production sector (i.e. automobile and defense weapons industry, aircraft manufacturer). The research question is: How and why will such a domain-specific and competitive practice of knowledge cooperation between experts succeed? The answer will be developed in a critical and transdisciplinary study. The question is discussed in a theoretical framework consisting of the theory of knowledge society, generative educational theory, the CoP-concept of E. Wenger, interaction economics, theories of social exchange, reciprocity and gift. Finally a turn to critical theory - reciprocal recognition theory and the concept of realabstraction (A. Toscano) inspired by K. Marx will fully answer the question of the internal logic and functionality of these communities. It is stated that a just knowledge exchange is the success principle of all communities of this type. The study develops a methodology called empirically informed theory building linking critical theory, constructivism and qualitative empirical research.