SECI model of knowledge dimensions

The SECI model ( Socialization, externalization, combination, Internalization ) is an imagined by the Japanese Ikujiro Nonaka and Hirotaka Takeuchi model to model the generation of knowledge that serves as a basis of knowledge management. The model was ( German in 1997 as "The organization of knowledge" ), first introduced in 1995 in her book " The Knowledge Creating Company", exerted the major influence on the following literature and research on knowledge management and is now considered one of the classics of this relatively young discipline may be considered.

Based on the presented in 1966 by Michael Polanyi concept of tacit knowledge Nonaka and Takeuchi design a model that is generated at the knowledge in a continuous transformation between tacit and explicit knowledge. By successive processes of " externalization " ( tacit to explicit ), " combination " (explicit to explicit), " internalization " ( explicit to tacit ) and " socialization " ( tacit to tacit ) is knowledge within an organization spirally on of individual knowledge higher levels of organization such as groups and entire companies lifted. Knowledge is understood as a two-dimensional phenomenon that can be made in principle generated only by individuals, but expanded in the framework of the SECI model and usable.

Socialization: knowledge is acquired in the operational cooperation and is implicitly present.

Externalization: Implicit existing knowledge is captured, documented and thus transferred into explicit knowledge (reports, ... ).

Combination (also: Combination): The newly created explicit knowledge through externalization is combined with existing, explicit knowledge.

Internalization (Latin internalize ): New knowledge is internalized. It exists as tacit knowledge and can be passed on to others by way of socialization.