Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed how organisations manage the
dynamic process of knowledge creation, which is characterised
by dynamic interactions amongst organisational members, and
between organisational members and the environment. We
have proposed a new model of the knowledge-creating process
to understand the dynamic nature of knowledge creation and
to manage such a process effectively. Three elements, the SECI
process, ba and knowledge assets, have to interact with each
other organically and dynamically. The knowledge assets of a
®rm are mobilised and shared in ba, where tacit knowledge
held by individuals is converted and ampli®ed by the spiral of
knowledge through socialisation, externalisation, combination
and internalisation.
We have also discussed the role of leadership in facilitating
the knowledge-creating process. Creating and understanding
the knowledge vision of the company, understanding the
knowledge assets of the company, facilitating and utilising ba
effectively, and managing the knowledge spiral are the important
roles that managers have to play. Especially important is
the role of knowledge producers, the middle managers who are
at the centre of the dynamic knowledge-creating process.
All three elements of the knowledge-creating process should
be integrated under clear leadership so that a ®rm can create
knowledge continuously and dynamically. The knowledge-creating
process should become a discipline for organisation members,
in terms of how they think and act in ®nding, de®ning
and solving problems.
In this article, we have focused primarily on the organisational
knowledge-creating process that takes place within a
company. We have described the knowledge-creating process as
the dynamic interaction between organisational members, and
between organisational members and the environment. However,
the knowledge-creating process is not con®ned within the
boundaries of a single company. The market, where the knowledge
held by companies interacts with that held by customers,
is also a place for knowledge creation. It is also possible for
groups of companies to create knowledge. If we further raise
the level of analysis, we arrive at a discussion of how so-called
national systems of innovation can be built. For the immediate
future, it will be important to examine how companies, governments
and universities can work together to make knowledge
creation possible.