SECI model layer

As described in Chapter Three, Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995) proposed the knowledge creation model that facilitates interaction of tacit and explicit knowledge by applying the four conversion modes SECI. The SECI model is a well-known theory in the area of KM, and has been successfully applied to manage knowledge in a variety of domains. More insights about the SECI model, its modes, and barrier of non-validity in different cultures, were discussed in Chapter Three. In this chapter, however, we focus on the application of the model in the healthcare domain and type of knowledge of the SECI model.

The SECI model has been utilised in different domains for the purpose of knowledge creation and dissemination. Several studies have shown successful applications of the knowledge creation model. For example, the SECI model was proposed to be applied in a library to build a system for KS (Cao et al., 2010). In another study, the SECI model was utilised in the field of software development in order to assist stakeholders in the process of elicitation, specification and validation of software requirements (Chikh, 2011). Moreover, Easa (2012) utilised the SECI model in a banking sector successfully. Additionally, Li et al. (2009) examined the SECI model’s utilisation in the manufacturing sector and proved its successful utilisation.

The healthcare domain utilises tacit and explicit knowledge in different ways. Researchers have demonstrated the importance of the two types of knowledge in different studies. Tacit knowledge is valuable for many healthcare practitioners in addressing a medical problem (Herbig et al., 2001). Tacit knowledge is also beneficial in clinical care as it is the basis for decision-making, even though these decision guidelines are made available in an explicit form (Thornton, 2006). According to Kothari et al. (2012), the value of tacit knowledge in this context is that capturing such a form of knowledge can contribute to the performance and training of practice, which is typically based on experience. More precisely, utilisation of tacit knowledge in healthcare has more connotations for healthcare delivery by promotion or rejection of explicit medical expertise (Boateng, 2008). Moreover, the capture of tacit knowledge, and its transformation into explicit knowledge, seems to benefit the performance, not only for clinicians but also for hospital leadership and other individuals in the various departments of the hospital (Hovlid et al., 2012).

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Explicit knowledge, on the other hand, is also useful in the healthcare sector. The explicit knowledge can address several issues which exist in the healthcare sector. According to Wickramasinghe and Davison (2004), knowledge is the driving force for enhanced practice management. Therefore, making this knowledge explicit can make healthcare organisations better equipped to deal with complications, such as increased cost and the pressure for delivering high-quality and effective care. In addition, explicit knowledge is valuable for the practice of evidence-based medicine, which is based on research evidence, clinical expertise and patients’ preferences and values for the purpose of performing medical decision-making (Wickramasinghe and Davison, 2004).

The advantages of tacit and explicit knowledge, as well as the case for evidence-based medicine, raises the importance of utilising a conversion mechanism for the two types of knowledge in healthcare. Evidence-based medicine is primarily based on the explicit evidence from research. However, it is important to consider the tacit knowledge that represents both the clinical expertise of medical staff and the patients’ preferences. According to Wickramasinghe and Davison (2004), the tacit knowledge of medical expertise and patients’ preferences are not utilised sufficiently. More importantly, it is almost impossible for healthcare professionals to rely only on tacit knowledge in supporting their medical decisions and practices. Wickramasinghe and Davison (2004) also stated that ignoring the tacit knowledge of healthcare professionals, which is gained from daily practices, might not be the solution, as that tacit knowledge can provide great significance to the healthcare system. Therefore, the best solution in tackling this problem is to adopt a knowledge- conversion theory that can convert tacit and explicit knowledge to support different activities in the healthcare domain.

Despite the importance of the existence of knowledge creation models and methods, the literature indicated that there is a deficiency of such models in the KM area. The SECI model seems to be the only highly utilised model for KM and knowledge creation in different domains (Li et al., 2009 ; Cao et al., 2010). According to Snowden (2002), the knowledge conversion model of Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995) contributes to the deficiency of other KM models and tools because the focus on this model has dominated the KM area. Therefore, the model is adopted in this study for four main reasons. Firstly, the SECI model explores the

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interrelationship between the two different types of knowledge, tacit and explicit, which have been outlined above and which are highly utilised in healthcare. Secondly, the SECI model facilitates the conversion between tacit and explicit knowledge, which is a necessary process to benefit from knowledge availability in the healthcare domain (Dalkir & Liebowitz, 2011). Thirdly, the model does not only concentrate on the dissemination of knowledge. It also takes into consideration the process of knowledge creation, which is also a valuable process in the area of KM. Finally, the SECI model is widely utilised in different domains, such as organisational learning, product development and IT. Its successful implementation in different domains requires similar applications within the healthcare sector in Saudi Arabia, which is seen to have slower KM practice than other healthcare sectors in developed countries (Szulanski, 2001; Scott, 1998).