Nonaka’s proposition that knowledge is created through the interaction of tacit
and explicit knowledge involving four modes of knowledge conversion is flawed. Three of the
modes appear plausible but none are supported by evidence that cannot be explained more
simply. The conceptual framework omits inherently tacit knowledge, and uses a radically
subjective definition of knowledge: knowledge is in effect created by managers. A new
framework is proposed suggesting that different kinds of knowledge are created by different
kinds of behaviour. Following Dewey, non-reflectional behaviour is distinguished from
reflective behaviour, the former being associated with tacit knowledge, and the latter with
explicit knowledge. Some of the implications for academic and managerial practice are
considered.