Managing Flow: A Process Theory of the Knowledge-Based Firm

There is currently a great shift towards a knowledge-based economy, where knowledge is the most important resource, superseding the traditional resources of land, capital and labour. With this in mind, this book presents the latest developments in knowledge creation and management theory by the leading scholar in the field, Ikujiro Nonaka. It expands on and enriches existing knowledge-based theory, and explores process theory in 10 case studies of successful Japanese firms, such as Honda, Toyota and Canon. It explores knowledge management as a global concept and is relevant to any company that wants to prosper and thrive in the global knowledge economy.

Contents

Introduction
Characteristics of Knowledge
The Theoretical Framework
Vision and Driving Objectives: Values for the Common Good
Eisai
Honda
Implications
Ba
Mayekawa Manufacturing Co., Ltd
Kumon
Implications
Dialogue and Practice: Leveraging Organizational Dialects
Seven-Eleven Japan
Muji
Implications
Dynamic Knowledge Assets in Process
YKK
JFE: Synthesizing Experience
Implications
Leadership: Fostering Distributed Excellence in the Organization
Canon
Toyota Prius
Implications
Conclusions