The SECI-MaP Model: A Human-Machine Integrated Model for Organisational Knowledge Creation

Abstract

While the human-focused SECI model of Nonaka and his colleagues captures their widely recognised theory of organisational knowledge creation, we live in an era of rapid technological advancements and Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI and in particular Machine Learning (ML), show great potential for organisations to support their learning and to discover and create new knowledge. This leaves the question of how AI and ML impact the SECI model. This study performs a theoretical investigation on integrating human- and machine contributions for organisational knowledge creation. A Design Science Research (DSR) approach is followed to design, develop and propose the conceptual SECI-Machine Partnership (SECI-MaP) model. The SECI-MaP model extends Nonaka’s SECI model and captures a human-machine symbiotic and synergistic partnership for enhanced organisational knowledge creation. It implies that sufficiently mediated and applied combined efforts of humans and machines could be greater than the sum of their individual contributions.