Managing Knowledge: Nonaka's Concept of Knowledge and Cameron and Quinn Competing Values Culture Model

This report explores Nonaka's concept of knowledge, including the different types of knowledge (tacit and explicit) and the SECI model of knowledge creation. It also discusses the Cameron and Quinn Competing Values Culture Model and its application in organisations. The case study focuses on ASDA, the second largest retailer in the UK, and how knowledge management and organisational culture contribute to its success.

MANAGING
KNOWLEDGE
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Question 1- Nonaka different concept of knowledge i.e. tactic and explicit knowledge............3
Question 2. The Cameron and Quinn Competing Values Culture Model..................................6
Question 3- Critically discuss how communities of practice generate organisational benefits to
company....................................................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14
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INTRODUCTION
Knowledge management is the process through which information within an organisation
can be shared and managed which could lead the business to deal with organisational objectives
in effective manner. With the help of best practices knowledge can be used and aligned so that to
deal with business aims and objectives in prominent manner. By inhaling change and knowledge
management programs priority of the business can be determined and the same can be met with
the help of implementing knowledge in similar direction (Farnese and et. al., 2019). For a
business this is imperative that they understand requirement of knowledge in such a way that it
could lead in understanding behaviour and inclination as well. This report is prepared in order to
understand various concepts of knowledge management along with inculcating various theories
such as SECI Model of Knowledge Creation, Cameron and Quinn model of culture. The
organisation for this report is ASDA which is the second largest retailer in UK and they are
having 321 stores around UK and associated with more than 140000 employees those are
managing the business in prompt manner.
MAIN BODY
Question 1- Nonaka different concept of knowledge i.e. tactic and explicit knowledge
Nonaka's theory of knowledge refers to the creation that can represent the discovery of
knowledge which is totally new and unique for the world rather than it can focus on the
processes that is adopted by the organisations for expanding and developing within the
marketplace. This theory is totally based on the two aspects that are explicit and tactic. In these
two terms, four elements are to be included that are socialisation, externalization, combination
and internationalisation which is helpful to sharing and creating knowledge within the business
enterprises (Abdalla, Suresh and Renukappa, 2020). The Nonaka and Takeuchi can proposed the
SECI model that is the cornerstone of the knowledge creation and also the transfer theory. This
model is very effective and showing how the knowledge is to be shared and created within the
company. This model is basically based on two concepts that can be shown below:
Tacit knowledge includes the embedded knowledge in the mind of the human through
experience and jobs. It reflects the personal wisdom and experience, context specific and it also
involves the insights and intuitions. For instance- In terms of ASDA, this type of knowledge
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creation is helpful to the employees and manager to generating high knowledge through the
experience and jobs. It is very beneficial to work effectively and efficiently.
Explicit knowledge is a type of knowledge that includes the framework of knowing that
which is to be fulfilled by the documents, reports, memos knowledge codified etc. In this
information that are documented can facilitates the actions. For instance- In terms of ASDA, this
type of knowledge is very useful for the manager because in this top authorities can share the
knowledge to their employees effectively that is effectively understand by the members of the
company so that high profitable results can be enjoyed (Serrat, 2017).
These two terms includes the four elements which can be shown below:
 Socialisation- In this knowledge is to be transferred through the proper practice,
guidance, observation and imitation. In terms of ASDA, this is used by the top authorities
of the companies. In this manager can transfer the proper guidance, tactics to their
employees so that work can done in a smooth manner. In this leaders can observe their
team mates so that motivating them is to be easy and effective and also helps in
completing the task in appropriate manner.
 Externalisation- It is the process of articulating the knowledge into external concept. In
context of ASDA, manager of the company can focus on the external activity to done
their task and prepare the objective rather than internal. This helps in creating new ideas
effectively and efficiently (Chen, Jiao and Zhao, 2016).
 Combination- It is an activity of combining the concepts into knowledge system. In
terms of the ASDA, manager can highly focus on integrate all their activities with the
knowledge so that effective outcomes can be enjoyed.
 Internalisation- It is an aspect of that is useful for including the explicit knowledge into
the tacit knowledge. For instance- In ASDA, manager can focus on including the external
knowledge to done the internal task so that it can be done in a trendy way that gives the
efficient results.
Knowledge conversion by Nonaka and Takeunchi
In this model of the knowledge creation Ba is an internal concept of the SECI model. It is
a Japanese word that is not translate in the English language. This creation of knowledge is
elaborated with the concept of knowledge that is shared, created and utilised between the
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members within the company. The knowledge conversion is related to the ' Ba' concept that
includes the four aspects which can be shown below:
 Originating Ba- It is the one knowledge creation within the SECI model that includes
the website rather than place to transfer the knowledge, data and information to the other
person which is very effective in today's business environment. In this one individual can
interact with the other effectively and efficiently without any blockage. In this using
Website is an originating Ba. For Instance- In terms of ASDA, manager can adopts the
official mail website within the organisation so that information can be transferred via the
mail effectively. Due to usage of website employees are also understand the knowledge
effectively and due to this data can be shared to the person who needs it so that objectives
can be attained in a positive manner (Santoro and et. al., 2018).
 Dialoguing Ba- In this creation of knowledge this aspect elaborated as sharing of the
tacit knowledge between the professionals to develops the knowledge. In case of the
ASDA, Top authorities can focus on creating the knowledge within their employees so
that it will develops the individual personality and also develops the working
environment atmosphere.
 Systematizing Ba- This aspect includes the analysation and measuring of the knowledge
that is created once it is implemented and come into the practice. In terms of the ASDA,
manager can highly focused on this term because in this they can analyse and measure a
several knowledge that is to be implemented for attaining the goals in effective and
efficient manner. It can be examined effectively when the task is to be implemented so
that work can be done in systematic manner (Hislop., Bosua and Helms, 2018).
 Exercising Ba- It is the last knowledge creation aspect which indulges the best practices
and findings to improve their overall practices. In terms of the ASDA, manager and
experts use these frameworks to improve the overall business practices so that effective
results can be gained and due to this misunderstanding can be removed so that employees
are working with full efforts. This term is virtual in nature so that work can gives the
productive results.
Using this model is very effective for the organisation for enhancing the overall value of
the organisation within the marketplace and also gain the competitive advantage so that firm will
sustain for a longer period of time. This types of creation of knowledge can enhance the efforts
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of workers due to this working environment is shown in a positive manner. Due to this theory
work can be appropriately managed in the dynamic environment.
Question 2. The Cameron and Quinn Competing Values Culture Model
Culture is the concept which is truly admired and administered by an organisation in
order to develop multiplicity within business functions. Culture is playing essential role for
success of the organisation in which businesses are highly concerned over introducing flexible
operations so that to adopt forward looking approach. Organisational culture is the result of
values of the organisation which are self-evident and deals with expectations of the business (Shi
and et. al., 2020)(Mariotti and Haider, 2020)(Zhang and Sheng, 2018)(Abualoush and et. al.,
2018). The Cameron and Quinn Competing Values Culture Model is associated with
categorisation of organisational culture along with comparing values of the organisation. This
model is having 4 models in which flexibility, stability, control and responsiveness is being
focused. In the context of ASDA this model is elaborated as under:
Clan culture
This is an inward looking approach under which responsiveness is being focused so that
to assist the business in order to undertake change in prominent manner. Clan culture is assisting
the business to deal with team work and collaboration as well which creates loyalty within
organisation. Under clan culture healthy internal environment can be created due to which goals
and objective of the organisation can be attained in optimal manner. Under clan culture high
employee engagement can be drawn due to which long term human resource benefits can be
attained. Under clan culture, long term targets are set by the organisation due to which resources
can be used at optimal manner. Personal relationships and morale are boosted within succession
of clan culture (Currie, 2017). In the context of ASDA as the organisation is engaged in retail
chain so this is prominent for them that they inhale organisational changes in optimal manner so
that to deal with market complexities in proficient manner. By this ASDA can be more focused
over internal engagement and obtaining prominent outcomes in which results from the
perspective of customer. For ASDA the major objective is to inhale learning process so in this
process needs of customers are understood in better way and survival options can be intensified.
Clan culture is defined as the most effective and least competitive model of culture. Under this
employee engagement and collaboration can be enhanced in order to attain higher productivity
and business success.
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Advantages of clan culture Productivity and overall growth: With the help of clan culture happier team can be
created which leads in positive correlation between employees and their productivity as
well. Needs of employees are primal responsibilities of the business to undertake and by
undertaking clan culture collaborative working can be performed (Duh, Belak and
Milfelner, 2016). Effective communication: With the help of clan culture clear communication within
employees can be exerted this could lead in elimination of any confusion. Clan culture is
playing effective role in providing prominent benefits to the business in order to align
path for attaining organisational goals and objectives.
Disadvantages of clan culture Decrement in role of senior management: In the presence of clan culture, thin line
between boss and employees are eradicated due to which internal conflicts can be
created. Under clan culture leader acts as a friend which may lead the business to lark
involvement within significant processes. Inappropriate behaviour: In clan culture no specific rules are defined within the business
due to which employee may behave in negative manner. The major disadvantage of clan
culture is related with generation of adverse behaviour that may hamper internal working
of the organisation.
Hierarchy culture
Hierarchy is defined as inward looking approach in which focus is rendered over stability
and control. The major aspect under this culture is effectiveness and building up efficacy as well.
Hierarchy is a well structured working atmosphere which is helpful for the people to get to know
about what they are required to do. In order to manage an organisation in effective and smooth
manner this is imperative that internal structure is required to be maintained in effective way so
that crucial determinants can be handled in prominent way. Smooth planning is the major part of
the success which is denoted by effective organisational structure and hierarchy and in this way
cost can be controlled and effective results can be drawn (Choi and Storr, 2018). In the context
of ASDA, the organisation is a globally established organisation in which the company is
maintaining sustainable position within international market. With the help of proper hierarchy
culture, ASDA can drive control and render appropriate efficacy to their business working so
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that to enable their organisation to inhale success in early stage. Under this structure changes are
required to be adopted in sequential manner in which smooth planning and execution can be
performed of activities. For ASDA application of hierarchy culture may lead the business to
inhale success and path of certain success in effective manner.
Advantages of hierarchy culture Clear line of authorities: This is the primal advantage in which clear responsibilities can
be understood by employee working within an organisation as roles and responsibilities
are delegated in effective way that could help the business to align their efforts with
overall objective. Accountability within actions: This is the another advantage of hierarchy culture in
which after delegating roles and responsibilities authority or accountability is inhaled by
employees in sufficient way. This is helpful in ASDA to develop business expertise in
such a way that internal working can be enhanced (Kegan and Lahey, 2016).
Disadvantages of hierarchy culture Lack of collaboration: In hierarchy culture lack of collaboration is seen which may lead
the business to face various complexities. Besides this communication barrier can be
created within this culture as so many levels are asserted which narrows the
communication. Complicated chain of command: In this culture, complicated command of chain are mad
due to which confusion in task completion can be seen. This is the situation where
employees feel unsatisfactory and emerge with facing complexities within their task.
Market culture
Market culture is defined as a result oriented culture in which work and task are being
focused. Under this cultural model Cameron and Quinn has given values to compete with market
culture. Market culture is an outward looking approach in which internal focus is drawn. This is
wholly based on customers and suppliers and in order to make them aware, various approaches
are used and requisite areas are focused as well. In current time market are highly demanding
and and tough so in order to align business objective with the same offerings are required to be
inculcated with goals. For market culture, customers and their needs are taken on priority basis
and in this manner the business whose major goal is to satisfy customer can be met in effective
manner. In the context of ASDA as they are dealing in retail chain so this is imperative for them
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that they manage their customer in effective way so that to provide acknowledgement for areas
that can be used for business prominence. This is the most aggressive culture in which extreme
competitive situations are focused by the business in order to deal with marketing factors. The
major objective of market culture is to deal with customer needs and support and in that manner
internal working and culture can be adhered to.
Advantages of market culture
 Maximised profit: With the help of market culture business profit can be maximise that
may be helpful for the business to sustain and grow within marketplace. In this context
ASDA is managing their culture under market culture so that to inhale high business
success and inculcate needs of their customer in the business offerings (Baron and et. al.,
2018).
 Employee driven: The market culture is driven by employees as needs and demands of
customers are being examined by them so they are the one who are responsible to
manage the whole organisation. In this concern high responsibilities can be subsisted by
them and direct impact can be seen over learning enhancement and overall engagement.
In the respect of ASDA being a retail organisation their employees are performing
prominent role within the business and helps the business to attain their objectives.
Disdvantages of market culture
 Internal competition: In market culture internal conflicts can be created due to which
inner competencies can be created in the minds of employees. This may impact
productivity of ASDA in negative manner.
 Short term approach: Market culture is a short term approach as means this cannot
be opted by the business for long term.
Adhocracy culture
This culture is defined as creation of flexible and dynamic working environment due to
which high risk can be inhaled by the business. This is the culture under which changes can be
adopted in easy and prompt manner due to which employees can be focused in appropriate
manner. In the context of ASDA by adopting this culture they can focus over market trends and
changes so that to inhale all those aspects in business working that are required to attain success
and prominence.
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From the above discussion this can be concluded that for ASDA hierarchy culture is
keeping high value to them. On the other hand this culture is helpful in order to delegate
responsibility in clear manner in order to remove any confusion in subsisting roles. ASDA is a
multinational organisation so this is prominent for them that they involve their employees within
decision making process and with the help of market culture this may be possible.
Question 3- Critically discuss how communities of practice generate organisational benefits to
company
Lave and Wenger's communities of practice theory
Communities of practice theory is propounded by the Lave and Wenger's that states the
process of social learning which occurs at the time when a group of individual person have an
common interest in a specific subject area for a specific period of time. In this working group of
individuals can share ideas, strategies, examine solutions so that innovations can be build in an
effective manner. This theory is extended to the online format because of the changes occur
within the business environment(Palos and Stancovici, 2016). In this communities are to be
practice in an interest way and due to this knowledge can be spread effectively and efficiently.
This theory of communities of practices is to be included three elements that can be shown
below:
In this domain is the first element that is to be identified by the shared domain of interest.
In this network is to be created in which commitment is to be shown. It will create a common
ground, inspires the members for participating. In terms of the ASDA, manager can adopts this
domain to build a team by inspiring the members so that they volunteer includes in the team and
build a community so that practice can be done effectively and efficiently(Groysberg and et. al.,
2018).
The second term is the Community in which community can create a social fabric related
to learning. In terms of the ASDA this helps in maintaining the relation and enhancing the
learning so that higher results can be seen effectively and efficiently.
Third is practice in which domain provides the particular area of interest for the
community. It reflects the sharing the thoughts, developing the team building etc. for developing
the organisational culture.
Explain in what context communities of theory is beneficial for ASDA
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This theory of practice of communities is effectively beneficial for the ASDA, in several
context that can be shown below:
 Connecting people- The major benefit of this theory in context of ASDA is that it helps
in connecting the people so that high opportunities can be capture by the organisation
with the positive interaction of the people. Due to this creative ideas are to be included so
that frequent results are to be generated. In this information is to be shared effectively
(Why communities of practice are important, 2020).
 Provide a shared context- This term is also useful to communicate the information and
also builds understanding and insights. As it is highly beneficial for the ASDA, because
due to this employees can work with their personal experience and due to this they can
builds the high understanding within the members.
 Stimulates learning- It is highly beneficial for the company ASDA, because in this
manager can authenticate the communication and also focus on providing mentoring,
coaching so that work can be done effectively and efficiently (López-Huertas,, 2016).
 Generate new knowledge- Adopting this theory is very beneficial for gaining the new
knowledge and accepting the changes effectively and efficiently. Due to this model plan
can be transform into the practice that gives the profitable results in their longer term
survival.
 Supporting- In terms of the ASDA, this community of practice is very beneficial for the
company as it will create the high interactions and collaborations between the members.
By getting the high supports the task can be done very effectively and appropriately due
to this more and more profits can be attained.
Critically discuss benefits that community of practice can have over individuals and teams
From the above analysis it is to be critically evaluated that community of practice that
can major impact on the members of the organisations as an individuals and teams that can be
shown below:
In terms of positive manner it will impacted to the team members and individuals:
In context of ASDA, the community of practice is highly beneficial for the Individual
as it is majorly helps in distinguish an individual from the group of members as per their
capabilities and abilities. This helps in enhancing the individual interest within the working so
that profits and sustainability can be enhanced.
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Community of practice is also beneficial for team within ASDA by accomplishing the
targets on time by collaborating the several minds and experiences in a group with proper
understanding. It is highly effective for sharing the insights due to which objectives can be
attained on specify period of time.
Community of practice is also beneficial for hiring and building capabilities in this
ASDA manager can focus on integrating an individual people who can share their roles which is
beneficial for the team members to being responsible in a community and because of this more
and more profitable outcomes can be enjoyed by the company.
By sharing the knowledge with the help of community of practice members can start
gaining the information that is significant for the person to enhance their knowledge on specific
topic which helps in developing their professional career in the business industry.
Community of practice is majorly beneficial for the individual person within ASDA by
accelerating the professional development within the company. In this firm will promote the
training and also focus on solo learning objectives so that members skills are to be enhanced and
more and more profits can be gained by the ASDA within the industry. This is also effective for
the team because group learning helps in facing and solving the solutions with better ideas
which is quite difficult as a single person within the business enterprise.
Demerits of community of practice
It is critically evaluated that within ASDA, community of practices is also display some
drawback that can mainly emerge in the terms of the business firm time and hierarchy. To
implement this theory organisation need more time that is difficult to focus on other essential
task which is significant for gaining high profits and sustainability. Adopting this aspect within
the company is creating implication because it is not implemented where formal behaviour is to
be followed between the members. Another major drawback is the organisational hierarchical,
due to follow the proper hierarchy within the ASDA community of practice will create problems
because in this knowledge is to be flow in spontaneous way. The major downside of this theory
is that it is only successful when it will interact with the individual person on the same level
experience, ideas and interest which is quite difficult for the company to implement the
community of practice within the organisation (Santoro and et. al., 2018).
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CONCLUSION
From the above report this can be concluded that knowledge management is one of the essential
concepts of the business that is helpful in order to provide knowledge in respect of managing
business and society as well. Organisational culture plays vital role in managing business
functions and objective of business in prominent manner so that to deal with complexities as
well. For every business tacit and explicit knowledge is required as this is helpful for them to
gain various insights and reviewing aspects as well.
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Online
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Why communities of practice are important, 2020 [online]. Available through
<http://www.communityofpractice.ca/background/why-communities-of-practice-are-
important/>
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