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

by Ikujiro Nonaka, Ryoko Toyama, Toru Hirata

Managing Flow is a classic and influential text from the revered Professor Ikujiro Nonaka. It was published at a time when there was a great shift towards a knowledge-based economy which has only intensified in recent years, where knowledge is the most important resource, superseding the traditional resources of the land, capital and labour. The book presents the latest developments in knowledge creation and management theory by the leading scholar in the field, expanding on and enriching existing knowledge-based theory. It also presents process theory through 10 case studies of successful global Japanese firms, such as Eisai, Canon, Honda and Toyota. The book provides a framework for a dynamic model of a knowledge-creation organization and demonstrates the conditions and abilities of knowledge-creating leadership. 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. Managing Flow has changed the prevailing view of knowledge management as a branch within IT to an enabler of in-depth learning, advocating for the cultivation and deliberate harnessing of tacit knowledge.

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Ikujiro Nonaka was a Japanese organizational theorist and Professor Emeritus at the Graduate School of International Corporate Strategy of the Hitotsubashi University, best known for his study of knowledge management.

Reviews

[Oswaldo Toscano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nonaka hace una ampliación de su modelo de creación de conocimiento en la empresa incorporando varios factores que permitan pasar de la gestión convencional del conocimiento a lo que hoy precisamos como gestión basada en el conocimiento.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pro: Brings across the importance and specifics of knowledge work in today's organizations.

Con: Hard read.