Knowledge Explicit - Tacit

In general, "knowledge” means three things." First, we use it to refer to a state of knowing. This common usage corresponds to what is often referred to as "know about." Second, we use the word "knowledge" to refer to an understanding or grasp of facts. This corresponds to "know how." Third, we use the term "knowledge" to refer to codified, captured and accumulated facts, methods, principles, techniques and so on. This corresponds to “know-who”.

Knowledge is a fluid mix of framed experience, values, contextual information, and expert insight that provides a framework for evaluating and incorporating new experiences and information. It originates and is applied in the minds of knowers. In organizations, it often becomes embedded not only in documents or repositories but also in organizational routines, processes, practices, and norms.

Explicit Knowledge

Explicit knowledge, as the first word in the term implies, is knowledge that has been articulated and, more often than not, captured in the form of text, tables, diagrams, product specifications and so on. This type of knowledge is said to be easy to transfer through oral and written communication.

Examples:

• The formula for finding the area of a rectangle (i.e., length times width).

• The formalized standards by which an insurance claim is adjudicated.

• Instructions to download and install software.

Tacit Knowledge

Tacit knowledge is knowledge that cannot be articulated. This type of knowledge cannot be directly transferred from one individual to another using oral and written communication. It has to go through a process that will convert it into explicit knowledge.

Examples:

• Reading the reaction on a customer’s face is an instances of where we are able to perform well but unable to articulate exactly what we know or how we put it into practice.

• Books about learning to ride a bike contain explicit knowledge. However, many would agree that no matter how many times you read such a book, you will not become an expert biker unless you actually practice riding one. Thus we say that practice provides the necessary