4
The Knowledge Attributes
Knowledge Attributes
Knowledge have many attributesWe could identify 25 of them
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The Knowledge Attributes
ModeUtility
ValidityVelocityViscosityVolatilitySource
MeasurabilityImportance
Domain
AgeApplicability
ClarityMeaningfulness
ActionabilityType
UsabilityRelevance
SourceState
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Knowledge Modes
Knowledge Modes
According to many authors, knowledge could assume one of two modes: ~ Tacit ~ Explicit
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Knowledge Modes
Tacit Knowledge
Knowledge residing in the minds of employees that has not been
documented
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Knowledge Modes
Explicit Knowledge
Knowledge residing in the minds of employees that has been documented
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Knowledge Modes
Tacit vs. Explicit
Tacit knowledge includes insights, intuitions and hunches. This knowledge is difficult to express and formalize and therefore difficult to share. Tacit knowledge is more likely to be personal and based on individual expressions and activities. Explicit and tacit forms of knowledge are quite distinct. However, it is possible to convert explicit knowledge into tacit, as occurs, for example, when an individual reads a book and learns from it, thereby converting the explicit knowledge contained in the book into tacit knowledge in the individual’s mind. Similarly, tacit knowledge can sometimes be converted into explicit knowledge, as happens when an individual with considerable tacit knowledge about a topic writes a book formalizing that knowledge.
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The SECI Model
Tacit vs. Explicit
EXPLICIT
TACIT
TACIT
EXPLICIT
socialization
internalization combination
externalizationEXPLICIT
EXPLICITTACIT
TACIT
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The SECI Model
Externalization
Externalization requires the expression of tacit knowledge and its translation into comprehensible forms that can be understood by others. In philosophical terms, the individual transcends the inner and outer boundaries of the self. During the externalization stage of the knowledge-creation process, and individual commits to the group and thus becomes one with the group. The sum of the individuals' intentions and ideas fuse and become integrated with the group's mental world.
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The SECI Model
Internalization
The internalization of newly created knowledge is the conversion of explicit knowledge into the organization's tacit knowledge. This requires the individual to identify the knowledge relevant for one’s self within the organizational knowledge. That again requires finding one’s self in a larger entity. Learning by doing, training and exercises allow the individual to access the knowledge realm of the group and the entire organization.
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The SECI Model
Socialization
This mode enables the conversion of tacit knowledge through interaction between individuals. One important point to note here is that an individual can acquire tacit knowledge without language. Apprentices work with their mentors and learn craftsmanship not through language but by observation, imitation and practice. In a business setting, on job training (OJT) uses the same principle. The key to acquiring tacit knowledge is experience. Without some form of shared experience, it is extremely difficult for people to share each other’ thinking process.
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The SECI Model
Combination
Combination involves the conversion of explicit knowledge into more complex sets of explicit knowledge. In this stage, the key issues are communication and diffusion processes and the systemization of knowledge. Here, new knowledge generate in the externalization stage transcends the ground in analogues or digital signals
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The SECI Model
Critique
According to color theory, there are three primary colors:
Red YellowBlue
All other colors are combinations of the primary colors
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The SECI Model
Primary Knowledge Processes
What are the primary knowledge processes ?~ knowledge representation
~ knowledge storage~ knowledge transfer~ knowledge sharing~ Knowledge creation~ knowledge acquisition~ knowledge application
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The SECI Model
Primary Knowledge Processes
What are the primary knowledge processes ?~ knowledge representation
~ knowledge storage~ knowledge transfer~ knowledge sharing~ Knowledge creation~ knowledge acquisition~ knowledge application
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The SECI Model
Secondary Knowledge Processes
All knowledge processes are either combinations of knowledge
representation and knowledge acquisition or are a special case of
these two processes
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The SECI Model
Secondary Knowledge Processes
Knowledge Creation:
Is knowledge acquisition with a special case where the acquirer is the first individual to acquire this knowledge
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The SECI Model
Secondary Knowledge Processes
Knowledge Storage:
Is knowledge representation with a special case where the represented knowledge is stored in a repository
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The SECI Model
Secondary Knowledge Processes
Knowledge Sharing:
Is knowledge representation with communication of represented knowledge or allowing access to knowledge storage
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The SECI Model
Secondary Knowledge Processes
Knowledge Transfer:
Is a synonym to knowledge sharing
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The SECI Model
Secondary Knowledge Processes
Knowledge Application:
Is knowledge acquisition put into action (problem solving)
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The SECI Model
Analogy with SECI
Externalization = knowledge representation
Internalization = knowledge acquisition
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The SECI Model
Analogy with SECI
Externalization = knowledge representation
Internalization = knowledge acquisition
WHY two more conversions ?
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The SECI Model
Combination
Combination is NOT a primary K process
Combination = Internalization+
Processing
+
Externalization
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The SECI Model
Combination
Primary K Process vs. organizational culture
It is more appropriate to think of combination as an organizational culture.
Combination is actually an inferior name to learning organization where every employee is encouraged to be creative and innovative
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The SECI Model
Socialization
Socialization is NOT a primary K process
Socialization = Externalization+
Communication+
Internalization
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The SECI Model
Socialization
Primary K Process vs. K sharing setup
It is more appropriate to think of socialization as a knowledge sharing setup.
Socialization is appropriate when knowledge does not lend itself easily to
storage techniques and thus requires direct sharing techniques
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The SECI Model
Information vs. Explicit Knowledge
Since the SECI model introduces the concept of explicit knowledge, then it has to explain
how explicit knowledge is different from information
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The SECI Model
Information vs. Explicit Knowledge
Since the SECI model introduces the concept of explicit knowledge, then it has to explain
how explicit knowledge is different from information
Amazingly, no one attempts even to pose this question
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The SECI Model
Information vs. Explicit Knowledge
If we were to adopt the definition of information as structured data, then there is a
difference between information and explicit knowledge
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The SECI Model
Information vs. Explicit Knowledge
The origin of information is data, but the origin of explicit knowledge is tacit knowledge
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The SECI Model
Information vs. Explicit Knowledge
The origin of information is data, but the origin of explicit knowledge is tacit knowledge
Do we really need to emphasize this detail ?
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The SECI Model
Information vs. Explicit Knowledge
The origin of information is data, but the origin of explicit knowledge is tacit knowledge
Do we really need to emphasize this detail ?Try writing a page on any subject taking into
consideration this detail !!
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The SECI Model
Information vs. Explicit Knowledge
Why not adopt the definition of information as
Input from any source that has the potential to affect, reduce, or supplement a state of
uncertainty to allow decisions to be made or communication to occur
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The SECI Model
Information vs. Explicit Knowledge
This definition of information would embrace information originating from data or that
originating from persons; as well as information originating from our environment
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The SECI Model
Information vs. Explicit Knowledge
This definition of information would embrace information originating from data or that
originating from persons; as well as information originating from our environment
In this case all knowledge would be naturally tacit and we would simply refer to it as
knowledge
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The SECI Model
Information vs. Explicit Knowledge
The SECI model adds neither value nor clarity, ONLY CONFUSION
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The SECI Model
Example I
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. was unsuccessful developing an automated bread-making machine. They knew the best bread
came from the Osaka International Hotel. So, a few team members apprenticed themselves
to the hotel’s head baker.
What category of K conversion was Matsushita emphasizing?
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The SECI Model
Example II
Honda used a metaphor of “Automobile Evolution” in the design of the Honda City by
asking the question: “what will the automobile eventually evolve into?”
What category of K conversion was Honda emphasizing?
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The SECI Model
Example III
To be successful in personal copiers, Canon needed a highly reliable, disposable cartridge instead of huge field mx force for conventional copiers. One innovator got a case of beer for team. When consumed he asked: how much does it cost to manufacture this can? Team
then compared process of making the beer can to making the drum cylinder.
What category of K conversion was Canon emphasizing?
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The SECI Model
Example IV
Craft General Foods utilizes data from its POS not only to find out what does and what does not sell but also to create new ways to sell –
that is new sales systems and methods.
What category of K conversion was Craft emphasizing?
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The SECI Model
Example V
Asahi Breweries forced a corporate vision on its new-product concept.
What category of K conversion was Asahi emphasizing?
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The SECI Model
Example VI
GE documents all customer complaints and inquiries which can be used by members of a
new product development team to re-experience what the telephone operator
experienced.
What category of K conversion was GE emphasizing?
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The SECI Model
Example I
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. was unsuccessful developing an automated bread-making machine. They knew the best bread
came from the Osaka International Hotel. So, a few team members apprenticed themselves
to the hotel’s head baker.
SOCIALIZATION
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The SECI Model
Critique: Example I
Matsushita Electric needed to acquire knowledge on dough kneading. If no one has
created this knowledge then Matsushita has to create it through experimentation.
If this knowledge already exists, then Matsushita needs to get access to where this knowledge is stored. If the knowledge exists
but not stored, then Matsushita needs a knowledge sharing setup up that allows direct transfer of knowledge. This is what eventually
happened; a mentor-apprentice set up for knowledge sharing.
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The SECI Model
Example II
Honda used a metaphor of “Automobile Evolution” in the design of the Honda City by
asking the question: “what will the automobile eventually evolve into?”
EXTERNALIZATION
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The SECI Model
Critique: Example II
Honda wanted an innovative design of a car; a design that has not been produced by any car manufacturer. Instead of forcing the designers to think within boundaries, Honda encouraged
creativity. The designers had freedom to create new knowledge and they did. Learning
organizations are characterized by encouraging creativity in all jobs.
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The SECI Model
Example III
To be successful in personal copiers, Canon needed a highly reliable, disposable cartridge instead of huge field mx force for conventional copiers. One innovator got a case of beer for team. When consumed he asked: how much does it cost to manufacture this can? Team
then compared process of making the beer can to making the drum cylinder.
EXTERNALIZATION
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The SECI Model
Critique: Example III
Why not consider this case an example on socialization? The new knowledge was a result
of a team effort. Why do we need to classify the case as externalization or socialization? Why not simply call it a case of encouraging
knowledge creation. Since a team is collaborating, then the creation process involves rounds of internalization and
externalization until the new knowledge gets created
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The SECI Model
Example IV
Craft General Foods utilizes data from its POS not only to find out what does and what does not sell but also to create new ways to sell –
that is new sales systems and methods.
COMBINATION
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The SECI Model
Critique: Example IV
Companies have TPSs that collect transactional data. These data would feed
different systems: MISs, DSSs, CRMs, SCMs, as well as data warehouses where the data can be mined. Each system would utilize the data in a different way, thus creating different new
knowledge. Again, the extent to which data is to be
utilized depends on how much a company intends to invest in knowledge creation. Why
do we need to call this combination ?
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The SECI Model
Example V
Asahi Breweries forced a corporate vision on its new-product concept.
COMBINATION
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The SECI Model
Example VI
GE documents all customer complaints and inquiries which can be used by members of a
new product development team to re-experience what the telephone operator
experienced.
INTERNALIZATION
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Conclusions
~ The literature on KM has many gaps~ The SECI model is very famous, yet not robust~ The SECI model adds no value~ KM is about effective and efficient management of the knowledge processes~ KM revolves around generating and sharing rich information~ Many information technologies support rich information~ KM requires proper work environment