Knowledge Dynamics

Abstract

In the chapter about cognitive knowledge, the author introduced the dyad of explicit-tacit knowledge developed by Ikujiro Nonaka and his colleagues. This dyad represents the conceptual framework of the dynamic theory of organizational knowledge creation. The breakthrough of this theory is the SECI model, which consists of four knowledge conversion processes: socialization (from tacit knowledge to tacit knowledge), externalization (from tacit knowledge to explicit knowledge), combination (from explicit knowledge to explicit knowledge), and internalization (from explicit knowledge to tacit knowledge). All of these knowledge conversion processes may happen in Ba, a dynamic context where interactions between people take place. The purpose of this chapter is to present the main concepts and ideas of the dynamic theory of organizational knowledge creation developed by Nonaka and his colleagues, a theory that represents a major contribution to the development of knowledge management.