Research on knowledge creation mechanism based on hypercycle theory

Abstract

In today's highly dynamic business environment, knowledge creation is the key source of innovation and competitive advantage. Although the unpredictability of creativity makes it difficult to plan for, it is still possible to facilitate knowledge creation given that we understand the knowledge-creating mechanism. In this paper, we first analyzed the feature of knowledge creation which indicates that the knowledge creation system can be considered as a self-organized hypercycle. Then based on hypercycle theory and Nonaka's SECI model, we analyzed the three hierarchies of a knowledge-creating hypercycle: reaction cycle, catalytic cycle and catalytic hypercle, so as to understand the mechanism of how a company creates new knowledge. In analysis, we primarily focused on the coupling and cross catalysis amongst the elements of knowledge-creating process. Our study suggested that creating a networking organization for staff, fostering a corporate culture as well as an effective motivation system may stimulate this knowledge-creating hypercycle.