The SECI model of knowledge dimensions (or the Nonaka-Takeuchi model) is a model of
knowledge creation
The knowledge economy (or the knowledge-based economy) is an economic system in which the production of goods and services is based principally on knowledge-intensive activities that contribute to advancement in technical and scientific inn ...
that explains how
tacit
Tacit knowledge or implicit knowledge—as opposed to formal, codified or explicit knowledge—is knowledge that is difficult to express or extract, and thus more difficult to transfer to others by means of writing it down or verbalizing it. This ...
and
explicit knowledge
Explicit knowledge (also expressive knowledge) is knowledge that can be readily articulated, codified, stored and accessed. It can be expressed in formal and systematical language and shared in the form of data, scientific formulae, specifications, ...
are converted into
organizational knowledge
An organization or organisation (Commonwealth English; see spelling differences), is an entity—such as a company, an institution, or an association—comprising one or more people and having a particular purpose.
The word is derived fro ...
.
The SECI model distinguishes four knowledge dimensions (forming the "SECI" acronym):
Socialization
In sociology, socialization or socialisation (see spelling differences) is the process of internalizing the norms and ideologies of society. Socialization encompasses both learning and teaching and is thus "the means by which social and cultur ...
,
Externalization
In Freudian psychology, externalization is an unconscious defense mechanism by which an individual projects their own internal characteristics onto the outside world. It may refer to:
* Externalization (migration), efforts by countries to prevent ...
,
Combination
In mathematics, a combination is a selection of items from a set that has distinct members, such that the order of selection does not matter (unlike permutations). For example, given three fruits, say an apple, an orange and a pear, there are th ...
, and
Internalization
Internalization ( or internalisation) is the process of making something internal, with more specific meanings in various fields. It is the opposite of externalization.
Psychology and sociology
In psychology, internalization is the outcome of ...
. The model was originally developed by
Ikujiro Nonaka in 1990 and later further refined by
Hirotaka Takeuchi
is a professor of management practice in the Strategy Unit at Harvard Business School. He co-authored ''The New New Product Development Game'' which influenced the development of the Scrum framework.
Biography
Takeuchi was born in 1946 and g ...
.
Four modes of knowledge conversion
![SECI Model](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/SECI_Model.jpg)
Assuming that knowledge is created through the interaction between tacit and explicit knowledge, four different modes of knowledge conversion can be postulated: from tacit knowledge to tacit knowledge (''socialization''), from tacit knowledge to explicit knowledge (''externalization''), from explicit knowledge to explicit knowledge (''combination''), and from explicit knowledge to tacit knowledge (''internalization'').
[Nonaka, Ikujiro; Takeuchi, Hirotaka (1995), The knowledge creating company: how Japanese companies create the dynamics of innovation, New York: Oxford University Press, ]
Four modes of knowledge conversion:
# ''Socialization'' (Tacit to Tacit) –
Socialization
In sociology, socialization or socialisation (see spelling differences) is the process of internalizing the norms and ideologies of society. Socialization encompasses both learning and teaching and is thus "the means by which social and cultur ...
is a process of
sharing knowledge, including observation, imitation, and practice through
apprenticeship
Apprenticeship is a system for training a new generation of practitioners of a Tradesman, trade or profession with on-the-job training and often some accompanying study (classroom work and reading). Apprenticeships can also enable practitioners ...
. Apprentices work with their teachers or
mentors
Mentorship is the influence, guidance, or direction given by a mentor. A mentor is someone who teaches or gives help and advice to a less experienced and often younger person. In an organizational setting, a mentor influences the personal and p ...
to gain knowledge by imitation, observation, and practice. In effect, socialization is about
capturing knowledge by physical proximity, wherein direct interaction is a supported method to acquire knowledge.
Socialization comes from sharing the experience with others. It also can come from direct interactions with customers and from inside your own organization, just by interacting with another section or working group. For example, brainstorming with colleagues. The tacit knowledge is transferred by common activity in the organizations, such as being together and living in the same environment.
# ''Externalization'' (Tacit to Explicit) – Externalization is the process of making tacit knowledge explicit, wherein knowledge is
crystallized
Crystallization is the process by which solid forms, where the atoms or molecules are highly organized into a structure known as a crystal. Some ways by which crystals form are precipitating from a solution, freezing, or more rarely depos ...
and is thus able to be shared by others, becoming the basis of new knowledge. This includes publishing or articulating knowledge. Concepts, images, and written documents, for example, can support this kind of interaction.
# ''Combination'' (Explicit to Explicit) –
Combination
In mathematics, a combination is a selection of items from a set that has distinct members, such that the order of selection does not matter (unlike permutations). For example, given three fruits, say an apple, an orange and a pear, there are th ...
involves organizing and integrating knowledge, whereby different types of explicit knowledge are merged (for example, in building
prototypes
A prototype is an early sample, model, or release of a product built to test a concept or process. It is a term used in a variety of contexts, including semantics, design, electronics, and software programming. A prototype is generally used to ...
). The creative use of computerized
communication networks
A telecommunications network is a group of nodes interconnected by telecommunications links that are used to exchange messages between the nodes. The links may use a variety of technologies based on the methodologies of circuit switching, messag ...
and large-scale databases can support this mode of knowledge conversion: explicit knowledge is collected from inside or outside the organization and then combined, edited, or processed to form new knowledge. The new explicit knowledge is then disseminated among the members of the organization.
# ''Internalization'' (Explicit to Tacit) –
Internalization
Internalization ( or internalisation) is the process of making something internal, with more specific meanings in various fields. It is the opposite of externalization.
Psychology and sociology
In psychology, internalization is the outcome of ...
involves the receiving and application of knowledge by an individual, enclosed by
learning-by-doing
Learning by doing refers to a theory of education. This theory has been expounded by American philosopher John Dewey and Latinamerican pedagogue Paulo Freire. It's a hands-on approach to learning, meaning students must interact with their envir ...
. On the other hand, explicit knowledge becomes part of an individual's knowledge and will be assets for an organization. Internalization is also a process of continuous individual and collective reflection, as well as the ability to see connections and recognize patterns, and the capacity to
make sense between fields, ideas, and concepts.
After internalization, the process continues at a new 'level', hence the metaphor of a "spiral" of knowledge creation is often referred to as the SECI model.
Nonaka and Konno subsequently developed the SECI model by introducing the Japanese concept of Ba''
', which roughly translates as 'place'. ''Ba'' can be thought of as a shared context or shared space in which knowledge is shared, created, and utilized. It is a concept that unifies physical space such as an office space, virtual space such as e-mail, and mental space such as shared ideas.
Acceptance
Nonaka’s and Takeuchi’s SECI model is widely known and has achieved
paradigmatic
In science and philosophy, a paradigm () is a distinct set of concepts or thought patterns, including theories, research methods, postulates, and standards for what constitute legitimate contributions to a field.
Etymology
''Paradigm'' comes f ...
status. Perceived advantages of the model include:
*its appreciation of the dynamic nature of knowledge and knowledge creation.
*it provides a framework for the management of the relevant processes.
The model has also been much criticized at times.
Criticisms include:
*It is based on a study of Japanese organizations, which heavily rely on tacit knowledge: employees are often with a company for life.
*The
linearity
Linearity is the property of a mathematical relationship (''function'') that can be graphically represented as a straight line. Linearity is closely related to '' proportionality''. Examples in physics include rectilinear motion, the linear r ...
of the concept: can the spiral jump steps? Can it go counter-clockwise? Since the model is bi-directional with only two nodes, the answer is yes, but so what? An example would be an elevator in a two-story building. While it may have numbers for the floor to push to go to, it could just as easily function with only a "go" button.
*Stephen Gourlay (2006) has considered why knowledge conversion has to begin with socialization if tacit knowledge is the source of new knowledge. Knowledge conversion could also begin for example with combination because new knowledge creation would begin with the
creative synthesis The principle of creative synthesis was first mentioned by Wilhelm Wundt in 1862.''An Introduction to the History of Psychology'', Sixth Edition, Wadsworth, California, 2009, p. 268''Wilhelm Wundt in History: The Making of a Scientific Psychology'' ...
of explicit knowledge.
*The model does not explain at all how new ideas and solutions are developed in practice.
See also
*
Four stages of competence
In psychology, the four stages of competence, or the "conscious competence" learning model, relates to the psychological states involved in the process of progressing from incompetence to competence in a skill. People may have several skills, some ...
*
I-Space (conceptual framework)
The Information Space, or I-Space was developed by Max Boisot as a conceptual framework relating the degree of structure of knowledge (i.e. its level of codification and abstraction) to its diffusibility as that knowledge develops.
This results ...
*
Tacit knowledge
Tacit knowledge or implicit knowledge—as opposed to formal, codified or explicit knowledge—is knowledge that is difficult to express or extract, and thus more difficult to transfer to others by means of writing it down or verbalizing it. This ...
References
Further reading
*
*
*Nonaka, Ikujiro, and
Hirotaka Takeuchi
is a professor of management practice in the Strategy Unit at Harvard Business School. He co-authored ''The New New Product Development Game'' which influenced the development of the Scrum framework.
Biography
Takeuchi was born in 1946 and g ...
. 1995.
The knowledge creating company: how Japanese companies create the dynamics of innovation'. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-509269-1.
*Nonaka, Ikujiro, R. Toyama, and N. Konno. (2000). "SECI, Ba, and leadership: a unified model of dynamic knowledge creation." ''Long Range Planning'' 33:5–34.
*Seufert, A., G. Von Krogh, and A. Bach. 1999. "Towards knowledge networking." ''Journal of Knowledge Management'' 3(3):180–90.
*.
*Xu, F. 2013. "The Formation and Development of Ikujiro Nonaka's Knowledge Creation Theory." Pp. 60-76 in ''Towards Organizational Knowledge: The Pioneering Work of Ikujiro Nonaka'', edited by G. von Krogh et al. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan.
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Knowledge management