ADS503 : KNOWLEDGE

MANAGEMENT
1. Describe how the major types of knowledge (e.g tacit and
explicit) are transformed in the Nonaka and Takeuchi
knowledge spiral model of KM. Use a concrete example to
make your point (e.g. a ‘bright’ idea that occurs to an
individual in the organization).
 
a) Which transformation would prove to be the most difficult?
Why?
b) Which transformation would prove to be fairly easy? Why?
c) What other key factors would influence how well the
knowledge spiral model worked within a given organization?
 Knowledge can be classified into two
broad categories :-
TACIT EXPLICIT
 Is personal • That can be codified and
 Context-specific knowledge that is transmitted in a systematic
difficult to formalize , record or and formal language:
articulate
documents, database ,
 It is stored in the heads of people.
webs , e-mails & charts
 Consists of various components,
such as: intuition, experience ,
ground truth, judgment , values ,
assumption, belief & intelligence.
 Is mainly develop through a
process of trial & error
encountered in practice
 ARE TRANSFORMED IN THE
NONAKA AND TAKEUCHI
KNOWLEDGE SPIRAL MODEL OF K.M

What this is all about ?

Modelling knowledge management is one big issue for
those who are in charge to gather information,
documents, professional experiences and know-how at
a corporate level.
Nonaka's and Takeuchi's relevant work should allow
you to understand easily and clearly how knowledge
may be dealt with, transforming tacit knowledge into
more explicit forms. This is one of the most famous
model existing, maybe the easiest and the clearest.
"The Nonaka and Takeuchi KM model focuses on
knowledge spirals that explains the transformation of
tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge and then back
again as the basis for individual, group, and
organizational innovation and learning." (K. Dalkir)
The Nonaka and Takeuchi Knowledge Spiral
 Much knowledge, perhaps 80%, lies in people's brains. The aim for the
knowledge worker
First is toSocialization
step: find ways to collect this tacit knowledge.
(tacit-to-tacit)
Socialization consists of sharing knowledge through social interactions.
 People hold indeed know-hows, secrets, personal skills that will never be
shared if none work on it. It is very important to try to gather this
knowledge by socializing, that is, using face-to-face communication or
better, share experience directly at work through 2 roles: the tutor and
the apprentice. It involves arriving at a mutual understanding through the
sharing of mental models.That way, there will be little risk that the know-
how of your company leaves at the same time of employees' retirement.
 Socialization is a very effective means of knowledge creation, maybe one
of the easiest but nethertheless the more limited. It is also very difficult
and time-consuming to disseminate all knowledge using this mode only.
 Second step: Externalization (tacit-to-explicit)
The process of externalization (tacit-to-explicit) gives a
visible form to tacit knowledge and converts it to explicit
knowledge. It can be defined as "a quintessential knowledge
creation process in that tacit knowledge becomes explicit,
taking the shapes of metaphors, analogies, concepts,
hypotheses, or models" (Nonaka and Takeuchi, 1995). In
this mode, individuals are able to articulate the knowledge
and know-how and, in some cases, the know-why and the
care-why.
An intermediary is often needed to execute this process. For
instance, we can consider a journalist who is the typical
person able to interview knowledgeable individuals in order
to extract, model, and synthesize in a different way (format,
lenght, ...) and thereby increase its scope (a larger audience
can understand and apply this content now).
 Third step: Combination (explicit-to-explicit)

• Combination is the process of recombining

discrete pieces of explicit knowledge into a
new form.
• No new knowledge is created at this step. It is
rather to improve what we have gathered so
far, to make synthesis or a review report, a
brief analysis or a new database. The content
has been basically organized logically to get
more sense, consolidated.
 Fourth step: Internalization (explicit-to-tacit)
The last conversion process, internalization, occurs
through diffusing and embedding newly acquired and
consolidated knowledge. In some way, internalization
is strongly linked to "learning by doing".
Internalization converts or integrates shared and/or
individual experiences and knowledge into individual
mental models. Once internalized, new knowledge is
then used by employees who broaden it, extend it,
and reframe it within their own existing tacit
knowledge.
The habits have been changed.
(a)Which transformation would prove to be the
most difficult? Why?

First step: Socialization (tacit-to-tacit)

Let play with 20 people by around, first people

give one statement, can someone among of
you can sure the exactly statement from the
first people could reach till 20 people?
 (b) Which transformation would prove to be fairly
easy? Why?
Third step: Combination Fourth step: Internalization
(explicit-to-explicit) (explicit-to-tacit)

For example : data on your For example : info from an

pendrive can be transfer or article that you read will
transform from other hand to transform to your word by
other hand. Aren’t u? sharing it with your friend

As this slide, it sharing with Parallel with this slide, I also

you know by hardcopy. delivered to you by giving my
speech.
 c) What other key factors would influence how well the
knowledge spiral model worked within a given organization?

Structure People
• Organizational culture • Individuals
• Organizational structure • Groups
• Organizational systems • Team
• Organizational processes
 Continue anwers # ( c)
Process Issue & challenges
• System thinking • Environment
• restructuring • Crisis and change