Communities of practice are being incorporated by organizations into internal know ledge management schema, as well as the extended knowledge system, capable of span ning elements from the external environment. This article seeks to explore the positive outcomes associated with the approach as well as potential challenges confronting communities of practice so organizations may more competently manage conditions crucial to their success. An overview of communities of practice, including an historical background, theoretical definition, common characteristics, structural components, benefits, challenges, limitations, and recommendations for organizational success will be presented. A discussion and conclusions section ends this article.

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The Problem. This article addresses the global problem of human trafficking and provides an exploratory analysis of the need for, and possible approaches to, integrating the principles of Human Resource Development (HRD) to support a solution. The Solution.The solution focuses on the integration of HRD practices in the prevention of human trafficking. The origin of human trafficking, the history of its existence, definitions, and legislative discourse are reviewed. More precisely, the notion of National HRD (NHRD) and the connection to community development is explored within the context of the human trafficking phenomenon. The Stakeholders.The key stakeholders this article seeks to inform are service providers, nongovernmental organizations, community development and HRD practitioners, and first responders. Implications for HRD practice, theory and research, as well as recommendations for future research conclude this article.