SECI-model

Opening words for this blog-"thread"... hmmm... I have always been a very analytical person, sometimes too analytical for my own good. Taking things as they come has never been the natural approach for me, but more often I meticulously analyze and compare different options and outcomes. One main purpose for this blog is to channel this type of analytical thinking into something more concrete, than just my own amorphous thoughts. Hopefully the time I put into writing this, pays itself back when I can "let go" of some unimportant pondering. This thread, or area of blogs is dedicated to my personal development... what that means specifically, will be left to future interpretation. :)

I'm currently working as a course assistant in the Helsinki University of Technology and one of my favorites is the course on Knowledge and competence management. Some time ago the students asked for concrete examples of the SECI-model of knowledge transformation processes (by Nonaka & Takeuchi), which is what I will present in this blog.

The acronym SECI comes from words Socialization, Externalization, Combination and Internalization. The knowledge transformation takes place between tacit (or implicit) and explicit forms of knowledge. The following is an example of each step in the SECI model: Writing a course essay in pairs

1) The assignment pair, Ellen and John, sit down for the first time to discuss the assignment. In the coffee discussion, both of them learn about each others current knowledge in the essay's subject and also gain some insight of their personalities. The students make some TODO-list for the upcoming tasks and the meeting dissolves. This is one very concrete event involving the Socialization of the SECI-model.

2) Ellen and John get on with their specific tasks on the TODO-list. Making database inquiries of relevant articles and books, attending to the lectures and reading course literature and, at some point, actual writing. When writing about the essay topic, the students are formulating their tacit knowledge into a more explicit form, that is Externalizing in the SECI-model.

3) Okay, both Ellen and John have written their share on the required 20 pages. Again they get together to discuss the ongoing essay work. They notice that even thou they made tome division of topics in the TODO-list, they still have some overlapping in their writing. They have to Combine their writings into a single essay paper in order to meet the requirements.

4) The course assistant (that is I) receive the excellent paper written by Student Ellen and Student John. I must admit that they have found some very interesting sources for their essay and I find myself learning by reading the essay paper. This is Internalizing knowledge from explicit, to tacit form. A+ for Ellen and John!

5) And once again, Ellen and John meet for a cup of coffee to discuss the new essay on "How to improve the Essay 1 according to course assistant's comments."

I'm interested to read about similar, concrete examples of the SECI-model, so please share them if you have any.