Function of Ba of Meta-Engineering for Creating Innovation

Abstract

The authors have proposed the MECI cycle as a fundamental process for realizing innovation. The MECI cycle is founded on Ba (roughly meaning 'field'). The Ba concept was proposed by Nonaka and Konno as a context shared among Ba participants, and by Carlson and Wilmot as an innovation team. The function of Ba they described is limited to interactions or communications among participants, however, even though Ba has diverse functions. The authors regard Ba as classifiable into three categories, Ba of catalysis, Ba of group working and Ba of networks. Different types of Ba influence innovation in different ways. In Ba of catalysis two ideas react through a catalytic effect of Ba to create a new idea for innovation. In Ba of the group working, participants share their context and commitment, and are coupled tightly by communication. Everyday discussion fosters a sense of unity, which strongly promotes development. In Ba of networks, many participants exchange their information every day using the internet. They are loosely coupled by communication. Their innovation can be truly democratized. Results suggest that innovations created in the Ba of networks will be dominant in future efforts.