Explicit and Tacit Knowledge: Which One is More Valuable?

The human body has two basic forms of input: food and water. However, the question between which one is more important is often left unanswered. A similar question can be applied to the two types of knowledge, explicit and tacit. While it’s not a binary choice, understanding the nuances of each can provide valuable insights into how knowledge is managed and transferred within organizations.

The Nature of Explicit and Tacit Knowledge

At its core, explicit knowledge refers to codified, formalized information that can be easily written down and shared, such as books, manuals, and articles. On the other hand, tacit knowledge is more personal and experiential, often difficult to articulate and transfer, such as expert intuition, procedural skills, and cultural understanding.

Implications for Organizations

Managers must navigate the complex landscape of knowledge management to maintain employee value and organizational resilience. One debates whether to harness explicit or tacit knowledge more effectively, highlighting the balance between codifying experience (explicit) and retaining personal expertise (tacit).

Tacit Knowledge and Its Management

Tacit knowledge, specifically, is incredibly valuable but harder to capture and share. This knowledge is often embedded in the individual's experience and expertise, making it less transferable to others. However, managers can use knowledge management strategies to capture and transfer this knowledge. For instance, documentation of successful projects, process manuals, and internal wikis can help codify tacit knowledge, but the key lies in fostering a culture where tacit knowledge is shared.

Explicit Knowledge and Organizational Heritage

Explicit knowledge often serves as the backbone of organizational heritage. Materials like training manuals, guidelines, and procedural documents are crucial for training new employees and maintaining consistency across the organization. However, without tacit knowledge, explicit knowledge alone can only go so far. Expert intuitions and experiential knowledge invaluable in decision-making and troubleshooting, especially in complex and dynamic environments.

Transferring Knowledge: A Delicate Balance

The challenge for managers is to strike a balance between retaining valuable tacit knowledge and making employees more interchangeable. Long-term retention of tacit knowledge is vital; it is the core of an organization’s competitive advantage. However, transferring explicit knowledge ensures that future employees can quickly become productive members of the team. The key is to foster a culture where knowledge is shared openly, documented effectively, and captured in a way that complements rather than replaces tacit expertise.

Empowering Future Generations

Effective knowledge transfer is particularly crucial for educators. As a teacher, I have dedicated decades to sharing my expertise with students, recognizing the importance of both explicit and tacit knowledge. Slides and other teaching materials provide a framework, but the true value lies in the accompanying experiential knowledge that accompanies it. Retaining and transferring this knowledge ensures that the next generation of educators can build upon the foundation I have laid.

As I approach retirement, I am focused on passing on my accumulated knowledge to a successor. This involves more than just sharing explicit materials; it’s about transferring the tacit knowledge that comes with years of experience. Effective teaching isn’t just about delivering information; it’s about leading by example and instilling a lifelong love of learning that enables students to navigate their own paths.

Conclusion

Both explicit and tacit knowledge are indispensable in modern organizations and education. Managers must carefully manage both forms to build a robust and resilient workforce. By fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and emphasizing the importance of both types, organizations can maintain their edge and empower future generations to succeed.

Keywords

Explicit knowledge, tacit knowledge, knowledge management