Tacit knowledge is a type of knowledge that is difficult to express, communicate, or codify. It is often acquired through personal experience, observation, intuition, and insight. Tacit knowledge is sometimes contrasted with explicit knowledge, which is the structured and documented information that can be easily shared and transferred.
In this article, we will explore the concept of tacit knowledge, its importance, benefits, and examples. We will also discuss how tac contrast with explicit knowledge and how they can be integrated for better organizational performance.
What is Tacit Knowledge?
The term tacit knowledge was popularized by Michael Polanyi, a philosopher and scientist who wrote about the role of personal knowledge in scientific discovery. Polanyi argued that “we can know more than we can tell” and that all knowledge is rooted in tacit knowledge. He stated that tacit knowledge is the kind of knowledge that cannot be fully articulated by verbal means, but only by practice and participation in a specific context.
Some examples of tacit knowledge are:
- Learning how to speak a language
- Riding a bike
- Playing a musical instrument
- Recognizing faces
- Cooking a dish
- Solving a problem
- Developing a strategy
- Creating an innovation
These examples show that tacit knowledge involves learning and skill, but not in a way that can be written down or explained. Tacit knowledge is often embedded in the individual’s mind, body, habits, routines, emotions, values, and beliefs.
Why is Tacit Knowledge Important?
Tacit knowledge is important for several reasons:
- It is a source of competitive advantage. Tacit knowledge can provide unique and valuable insights, solutions, and innovations that are not easily replicated by competitors. Tacit knowledge can also enhance the quality and efficiency of products and services.
- It is a driver of learning and innovation. Tacit knowledge can stimulate curiosity, creativity, and experimentation. Tacit knowledge can also facilitate the discovery of new connections, patterns, and possibilities that are not obvious from explicit knowledge.
- It is a facilitator of collaboration and communication. Tacit knowledge can foster trust, rapport, and shared understanding among individuals and groups. Tacit knowledge can also enable the exchange of feedback, perspectives, and ideas that can enrich explicit knowledge.
