Tacit v Sample Clauses

Tacit v. Explicit Knowledge One of the most common dichotomies when talking about organisational knowledge is between tacit and explicit knowledge (Xxx et al., 2018; King, 2009; Xxxxx & Xxxxxx, 2013). This is because the knowledge held by individuals and organisations that is unexpressed or uncodified (i.e. tacit knowledge) is what makes an organisation unique and can act as a facilitator or barrier to an organisation gaining competitive advantage over another (Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx & Xxxxx, 2003). Xxxxxxx (1967) defined tacit knowledge as that which exists in the mind and is not articulated or codified. As it exists in an individual’s mind, it is highly personal (Xxx et al., 2018) and subjective (Xxxxx, Xxxx, & Xxxxxxx, 2000). This knowledge is based on a person’s experiences (Xxxxx et al., 2000; Xxxxx & Xxxxxx, 2013) and intuitions (Xxxxx, 2003) and affects their actions and behaviours (Xxx et al., 2018). As such, tacit knowledge is often equated with knowing-how or practical knowledge i.e. the skills needed to perform a task (Xxxx, 1945). As it is not articulated or codified, tacit knowledge is hard to store (Ragab & Arisha, 2013) and transfer within an organisation (Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx, 2013). An example of tacit knowledge in an audience research context would be knowing when and how to probe and prompt a respondent when asking questions during an interview if the respondent seems to be struggling to answer a question. From my experience, that is something that a researcher needs to judge for themselves within a particular context, perhaps drawing on past experiences of having encountered a similar situation. This feeling or sense would be difficult to communicate to others in any formal sense, such as a ‘how to’ guide. By contrast, explicit knowledge is knowledge which can be articulated and codified (Xxxxxxx, 1958, 1966). Xxxxxx (2012) refers to it as knowledge made ‘tangible’. Although the term ‘knowledge’ is used, most authors (Xxx et al., 2018; Xxxxx et al., 2000) seem to include data and information presented in the form of physical and electronic documents, such as data tables, instructional manuals and annual reports in their definitions. As such, it can be more easily stored, in printed documents, electronic folders as well the organisation’s policies and procedures (Xxxxx, 2003). Consequently, it can be more easily transferred (Ragab & Arisha, 2013) and made accessible to others (Xxxxx et al., 2000), particularly as the transfer can take place at any time with...