Growing significance of communities and collaboration in discovery and development.

This article provides a perspective on the growing significance of community and collaboration approaches in discovery and development (chemical and pharmaceutical). The drivers of and challenges to these developments are described and the knowledge management concepts that provide a foundation to scientific and cultural progress are explained. Principles and case study examples of community approaches to best practices and emerging approaches to knowledge-oriented collaboration are discussed. Collaboration is a complex activity involving many business factors, scientific issues and challenges, demanding the combination of a variety of knowledge management, cultural and organizational best practices. Flexible knowledge-oriented processes, support activities and services are required for effective collaboration results.