A Yin-Yang dialectical systems theory of knowledge creation

Abstract

Purpose Cross-cultural cognitive paradoxes have frequently broken the existing boundaries of knowledge and stimulated demands for knowledge creation (KC), and such paradoxes have triggered and will continue to trigger novel risks in the context of international business (IB). Given the nascency of relevant issues, this study aims to develop a more comprehensive understanding of KC across cultures by proposing a Yin-Yang dialectical systems theory of KC as micro-foundation to more systematically frame the risk/paradox-resolving mechanism elicited by cultural collisions. Design/methodology/approach This paper is conceptual in nature. The authors first critically review the literature to lay a broad theoretical foundation. Integrating the philosophy- and praxis-based views, the authors reposition knowledge as a Yin-Yang dialectical system of knowing, with yin representing the tacit while yang represents the explicit. Next, the authors justify the underling logic of realising KC through a contradiction-resolving process. On this basis, the authors draw upon the Yijing’s Later Heaven Sequence (LHS) as the source domain of a heuristic metaphor to reconceptualise KC as a dynamic capability in the IB context. Findings Using the LHS paradigm to metaphorically map the intricate patterns of interaction and interconnectivity among the involved individuals, organisations and all related stakeholders, this research identifies and theorises the overall dynamic capability of KC in the IB context, which comprises five sets of processes: contradiction, conflict, communication, compromise and conversion. Practical implications This research highlights that KC is simultaneously activated and constrained by human actions as well as by the socially constructed context in which it emerges, which helps individuals, organisations and policy makers more clearly frame the novel risks induced by cross-cultural cognitive conflicts in the IB context. Originality/value The authors synthesise Yin-Yang dialectics with the approach of collective phronesis, proposing a novel, praxis-oriented Yin-Yang dialectical systems theory of KC. It provides a deeper understanding of the epistemological paradox inherent in all knowledge, thus enabling KC to be rationalised by a sounder logical reasoning. By fusing the macro and micro perspectives on KC, the authors also enrich existing theory and future theory building in the domain of knowledge management.

How does knowledge hiding play a role in the relationship between leader–member exchange differentiation and employee creativity? A cross-level model

“…Future studies can analyze this mediating mechanism from other aspects of knowledge management. Other perspectives, such as knowledge-based dynamic capabilities and knowledge creation (Bhardwaj et al , 2022; Chin et al , 2022; Goswami and Agrawal, 2022; Alinasab et al , 2022) can be analyzed in future studies. Second, this study investigated the mediating role of knowledge hiding as a whole.…”

Comparative analysis of the influence of Chinese urban and rural family cultures on household financial asset allocation

“…Studying urban and rural culture from the perspective of cross-cultural psychology has a certain realistic basis and related background. The study of urban and rural cross-cultural psychology in China is a comparative study of the city and the countryside as two typical regions ( Chin et al, 2022c ). The city and the countryside are affected by different cultural psychology and have different cultural psychological attributes.…”

How does digital transformation affect innovation in knowledge-intensive business services firms? The moderating effect of R&D collaboration portfolio

“…First, DT facilitates KIBS firms to offer new knowledge-based products and services that have never been suggested before (Li et al, 2022a(Li et al, , 2022b. The initial phase of DT requires firms to learn a diverse set of digital technologies, and advanced technologies such as big data, blockchain, cloud computing, AI, virtual reality and augmented reality would offer new approaches for firms to facilitate new product development (Xie et al, 2016;Chin et al, 2022aChin et al, , 2022b. Akter et al (2022) have confirmed that IoT technologies enable firms to use the original real-time data to rebuild the architecture of product-service offerings.…”

“…Third, DT arises a necessity to recruit digital talents and provide professional training for incumbent employees, which constitutes a highly intellectual workforce and creates new problem-solving approaches (Nambisan et al, 2019). Moreover, DT orients the design of business strategies that motivate firms to create business models in emerging fields to grasp additional market opportunities (Chin et al, 2022a(Chin et al, , 2022b. Considering the COVID-19 pandemic has enacted new challenges and opportunities (e.g.…”

“…Second, DT enables firms to leverage digital tools to carry out better KM. Firms are enabled to build the competence of ICTs in the process of DT (Di Vaio et al , 2021), which helps strengthen internal and external connections and ease access to new knowledge, thereby promoting a broader and deeper search into external knowledge sources (Chin et al , 2022a, 2022b). The application of digital tools accelerates data analytics (i.e.…”