von Krogh and Roos Model
The von Krogh and Roos model, also known as the "Organizational Epistemology Model," is a framework that explains how organizations create and manage knowledge. It was developed by Georg von Krogh and Johan Roos in the mid-1990s and is widely used in organizational management and knowledge management research. The model is based on three interrelated components, which are:
1. Epistemology: This component refers to the theory of knowledge and how it is created, acquired, and used in organizations. The von Krogh and Roos model proposes that knowledge can be categorized into four types:
- Tacit knowledge: knowledge that is difficult to articulate, transfer, or codify, such as skills, expertise, and intuition.
- Explicit knowledge: knowledge that is codified, documented, or written down, such as procedures, guidelines, and manuals.
- Embedded knowledge: knowledge that is part of organizational routines, practices, and culture.
- Cultural knowledge: knowledge that is shared by a group of individuals who share common beliefs, values, and norms.
2. Ontology: This component refers to the nature of reality and how it is perceived by individuals and organizations. The von Krogh and Roos model proposes that individuals and organizations have different ontologies, which can influence their perception of knowledge and how it is managed. These ontologies can be categorized into two types:
- Objectivist ontology: which assumes that reality exists independently of individuals and can be observed and measured objectively.
- Constructivist ontology: which assumes that reality is constructed by individuals and organizations through their subjective experiences and interpretations.
3. Methodology: This component refers to the methods and processes used to create, acquire, and manage knowledge in organizations. The von Krogh and Roos model proposes that organizations can use four different methodologies to manage knowledge:
- Codification: which involves the formalization and documentation of knowledge into explicit forms, such as manuals, procedures, and guidelines.
- Personalization: which involves the sharing and transfer of tacit knowledge through socialization, mentoring, and coaching.
- Combination: which involves the integration and recombination of different types of knowledge, such as explicit and tacit knowledge, to create new knowledge.
- Internalization: which involves the embedding of knowledge into organizational routines, practices, and culture.
Overall, the von Krogh and Roos model suggests that effective knowledge management in organizations requires a deep understanding of the epistemology, ontology, and methodology of knowledge creation and management. By leveraging the different types of knowledge, ontologies, and methodologies, organizations can improve their ability to innovate, adapt, and compete in a rapidly changing environment.
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