"The Knowledge-Creating Company" by Ikujiro Nonaka, the author delves into the essential role of knowledge in organizational success.
Author introduces the SECI model, which outlines the four modes of knowledge conversion within organizations: Socialization, Externalization, Combination, and Internalization. This model illustrates the flow of knowledge from personal, tacit understandings to documented, explicit forms and back again. It emphasizes the importance of tacit knowledge, which is often unspoken and deeply personal, in fostering innovation.
In the knowledge-creating company, all 4 of these patterns exist in dynamic interaction, a kind of spiral of knowledge. Here is an example from a book where the author gives the example of matsuhita‘s Ikuko Tanaka:
1. First, she learns the tacit secrets of the Osaka International Hotel baker.
(socialization)
2. She translates these secrets into explicit knowledge that she can communicate to her team members.
(articulation)
3. The team then standardizes this knowledge, putting it together into a manual or workbook and embidying it in product
(combination)
4. Finally through the experience of creating a new product, Tanaka and her team members enrich their own tacit knowledge base
(internalization)
Nonaka also introduces the concept of "Ba," the shared space or context within which knowledge is created and exchanged. Ba can be physical or virtual and plays a vital role in facilitating knowledge creation. Through real-world case studies, Nonaka demonstrates how organizations like Honda and Canon have harnessed these principles to drive innovation and remain competitive.
In summary, "The Knowledge-Creating Company" highlights the significance of creating a culture that fosters knowledge sharing, conversion, and innovation. Nonaka's work serves as a valuable guide for organizations seeking to leverage knowledge as a strategic asset in today's knowledge-driven world.
Honestly, I would rather read the book in Czech, because the English that the author uses sometimes seemed quite complicated to me, several times I found myself concentrating on the English rather than the sentences… despite that I found this book really helpful and I honestly enjoyed reading it. I really liked the practical examples that the author often gives us. For example one that stucked i I would recommend this book to everyone who wants to learn about "SECI" and practice English.
