The Concept of “Ba”: Building a Foundation for Knowledge Creation

TLDR

Ba is a shared space—physical, virtual, or mental—where knowledge, inseparable from context, emerges and can be fostered across organizational levels. The article aims to introduce Ba as a foundational concept for organizational theory, develop four platforms linking Ba to knowledge creation, and illustrate its application through case studies. The authors describe four Ba‑based platforms that promote distinct knowledge conversion modes and demonstrate their use in three companies at team, division, and corporate levels.

Abstract

This article introduces the Japanese concept of to organizational theory. Ba (equivalent to place in English) is a shared space for emerging relationships. It can be a physical, virtual, or mental space. Knowledge, in contrast to information, cannot be separated from the context—it is embedded in ba. To support the process of knowledge creation, a foundation in ba is required. This article develops and explains four specific platforms and their relationships to knowledge creation. Each of the knowledge conversion modes is promoted by a specific ba. A self-transcending process of knowledge creation can be supported by providing ba on different organizational levels. This article presents case studies of three companies that employ ba on the team, division, and corporate level to enhance knowledge creation.