The SECI model & knowledge creation
As knowledge changes, so must we.
Knowledge, in all its forms, is fundamental to our understanding of the world around us, and is key to navigating the uncertainties of life. But knowledge, like the world it is supposed to reflect, is not a static entity. As Peter Drucker puts it, “Knowledge is different from all other resources. It makes itself constantly obsolete, so that today’s advanced knowledge is tomorrow’s ignorance. And the knowledge that matters is subject to rapid and abrupt shifts.” As knowledge changes so must we, a fact which underscores the necessity of continuous learning and innovation.
The SECI model
Developed by Ikujiro Nonaka and Hirotaka Takeuchi, the SECI model provides an account of knowledge creation and its transmission between and within individuals. Within this model, knowledge creation results from the transformation of tacit and explicit knowledge, through the processes of Socialisation, Externalisation, Combination, and Internalisation (SECI).
Originally a framework for understanding how knowledge is transferred and transformed within organisations, the SECI model is also useful for considering how learning occurs as a result of the absorption, modification, and sharing of information. It is a framework that requires that we account for different types of knowledge and ways of knowing, and is of particular significance as we navigate the complex world of today, wherein, as Nonaka asserts, “the only certainty is uncertainty, the one sure source of lasting competitive advantage is knowledge”.
Externalisation
Externalisation is the subsequent step, which involves converting tacit knowledge into explicit forms. Knowledge is articulated, crystallised, and thereby made shareable through various means like metaphors, analogies, concepts, or documents. This step paves the way for the creation of new, explicit knowledge that can be utilised by others.
Combination
Combination concerns itself with the systematisation and integration of explicit knowledge. Various types of explicit knowledge - data, report insights, document details - are collated, often assisted by computerised networks or databases. This process can involve categorising or reclassifying explicit knowledge into new clusters, which are then shared within the organisation, enhancing collective understanding and knowledge.
Internalisation
Lastly, internalisation is the process by which explicit knowledge is absorbed and embodied by individuals, reverting back into tacit knowledge. This often occurs through ‘learning-by-doing’, or when individuals reflect on and practice newly acquired knowledge. Internalisation cultivates an individual’s proficiency and capacity for innovation. The internalised tacit knowledge, once shared, contributes to the organisational knowledge pool. As individuals connect, recognise patterns, and synthesise fields, ideas, and concepts, a new cycle of the SECI model begins, fostering continuous knowledge creation and learning.
Knowledge propels us forward, obsoleting itself as it transforms our understanding of the world around us. The SECI model provides a stable framework for orienting ourselves, encouraging continuous learning and innovation while accounting for change and disruption. Navigating the uncertainties of our world, the continuous conversion and circulation of knowledge - from tacit to explicit, individual to collective, and back again - empowers us to adapt, grow, and innovate. It also forces us to come to acknowledge the multifaceted process that is learning. The purpose of this post and those that follow is to serve as an example of this knowledge creation process, opening the floor for further contemplation, critique, and collaboration, aiming to cultivate learning, share understanding, and maybe even create something new.
Socialisation
Socialisation involves the transmission of tacit knowledge between individuals through shared experiences, such as an apprenticeship or immersion in a foreign culture. Essentially, it is the process of learning by observation, imitation, and practice, thus creating the raw material for the production of new knowledge.