Unpacking four sequential modes of knowledge conversion in managing indigenous knowledge

Abstract

This article is based on the study that investigated how indigenous knowledge can be
managed using Ikujurio Nonaka’s model, known as the knowledge creation theory. The
problem investigated in this article pertains to the threats that are mostly likely to lead to
the demise of indigenous knowledge (IK) if no proper mechanisms are put in place to
preserve it. To achieve the aforementioned aim, the article critically examined four modes
of the knowledge creation theory, namely socialisation, externalisation, internalisation and
combination. A literature survey was conducted across a broad spectrum of sources
including conference papers, books, journals and the internet. The findings show that this
theory is extremely useful in managing tacit knowledge such as indigenous knowledge.
Hence it has been widely applied in organisations and communities to manage knowledge
by capturing, storing, processing, retrieving and disseminating it. The strength of this
theory is based on recognising, generating, transferring and managing tacit knowledge
across time and space. It therefore centres on building both tacit and explicit knowledge
and the interchange between them through internalisation and externalisation. The
knowledge creation theory is the best model to capture, create, leverage and retain
knowledge.

Keywords: Knowledge creation, indigenous knowledge, tacit knowledge, explicit
knowledge, knowledge management.