This paper explores the emergence of Machiavellian behaviour in a community of practice (CoP). The CoP was initiated by the top management team (TMT) as a management development initiative. Participants in a manufacturing setting were encouraged to engage in a series of problem‐solving tasks with counterparts from across the organization in a short‐term CoP. A qualitative case study, using in‐depth interviews, was conducted in a large processing plant in the Middle Eastern Kingdom of Bahrain. This is an empirical case study that explores employee participation in a short‐term management development programme which sought to create CoPs to enable knowledge sharing. A competitive element was introduced, and we contend this promoted behaviour which served the individuals rather than the CoP. The findings indicate that TMT intervention changes the dynamics of CoPs, reducing knowledge sharing and collaboration among community members. Recommendations are made to practitioners to be cognizant of the possibility of Machiavellian participation in CoPs.

中文翻译：

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竞争的实践社区，知识共享和马基雅维利人参与：一个案例研究

本文探讨了实践社区（CoP）中马基雅维利行为的出现。CoP由最高管理团队（TMT）发起，是一项管理发展计划。在短期CoP中，鼓励制造环境中的参与者与组织中的同行进行一系列解决问题的任务。在中东巴林的一家大型加工厂进行了定性的案例研究，使用了深入的访谈。这是一个经验案例研究，探讨了员工参与短期管理发展计划的过程，该计划旨在创建CoP以实现知识共享。引入了竞争元素，我们认为这种提倡的行为服务于个人而不是CoP。研究结果表明，TMT干预改变了CoP的动态，减少了社区成员之间的知识共享和协作。建议从业者认识到马基雅维利人参与CoP的可能性。