Question Tag: Knowledge Management

Explicit Knowledge:
Explicit knowledge refers to knowledge that is formalized, documented, and easily transferable across individuals and departments within an organization. It is the type of knowledge that can be written down and stored in databases, manuals, documents, or other formats that make it easily accessible and shareable among employees. Examples of explicit knowledge include company policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), technical manuals, financial reports, and databases of customer information. This type of knowledge is often structured and organized in a way that allows it to be retrieved and used by others who need it. Because explicit knowledge is codified, it is easier to transmit across time and space, making it highly valuable in large organizations where information needs to be consistent and easily accessible.

Tacit Knowledge:
Tacit knowledge, on the other hand, is the knowledge that is personal, context-specific, and often difficult to formalize or communicate. This type of knowledge is rooted in individual experience, intuition, insights, and the skills that are often developed over time through personal involvement in specific tasks or activities. Unlike explicit knowledge, tacit knowledge is not easily articulated or shared because it is deeply ingrained in an individual’s actions, behaviors, and perceptions. For example, a seasoned employee might have a deep understanding of how to manage complex customer relationships or troubleshoot a specific piece of equipment, but this knowledge is based on years of hands-on experience and is not easily documented or transferred to others. Sharing tacit knowledge typically requires close interaction, mentoring, or apprenticeship, where the less experienced learn through observation and practice rather than through written or verbal instructions.

(2 detailed explanations @ 2.5 marks each = 5 marks)