Editing Virtual community of practice (section)

== Disadvantages ==

=== Organizational Impact ===
Establishing a VCoP within an existing organization may disrupt the organization's social, cultural, and political systems through questioning.<ref name="Dubé et al., 2005" /> Change management strategies might mitigate this disruption through different stages of a VCoP's development.<ref name="Dubé et al., 2005" />

=== Technology ===
A common hindrance to participation in online communities of practice is the required technology. Members who lack access to computers, PDAs or similar web-accessing technology are precluded from participating in an OCoP. Members with slow or unreliable equipment are unable to participate to their full potential and may find the technical difficulties so discouraging they withdraw completely. Likewise, the technical aptitude required to participate online can be daunting to individuals unfamiliar with the software or platform being used.<ref name="Gray, 2004"/>

=== Forums ===
The lack of physical identification and body language in text-only forums can make it difficult to foster meaningful connections between members.<ref name = "Kimble, 2011">{{Cite Q|Q55953925}}</ref> Without a sense of connectivity with other practitioners, involvement may falter.<ref name="Preece, 2004">{{cite journal | last1 = Preece | first1 = J | year = 2004 | title = Etiquette, Empathy and Trust in Communities of Practice: Steppingstones to Social Capital | journal = Journal of Universal Computer Science | volume = 10 | issue = 3| pages = 294–302 }}</ref> Moderators of an OCoP forum may strengthen the OCoP through activities, events, and occasions in order to promote involvement. Individuals who return after a period of non-participation may feel overwhelmed or discouraged by the amount of new information and posts.<ref name="Gray, 2004"/>

=== Diversity of participants ===
The varying levels of knowledge, skill and experience within an OCoP can deter less confident members from participating in the community. The diverse nature of a community can also create linguistic and cultural barriers to participation. Discourse and jargon can create confusion and misunderstanding, and clarifying communication errors online can prove difficult.<ref name="Gunawardena, 2009"/>