TY - JOUR
T1 - Tacit knowledge
T2 - Review and possible research directions
AU - Venkitachalam, Krishna
AU - Busch, Peter
PY - 2012/3
Y1 - 2012/3
N2 - Purpose: Tacit knowledge is often difficult to define, given its inexpressible characteristics. Literature review highlights the impact of tacit knowledge on certain knowledge management topics and these include organizational learning, intellectual capital, knowledge management strategy and so forth, but some research gaps remain. The paper aims to propose directions for future research in this domain of discourse. Design/methodology/approach: A review of existing studies highlights some gaps in the literature on the role of tacit knowledge, which is followed by questions for future research. Findings: Given the richness of tacit knowledge discourse, the authors believe that the proposed questions offer avenues for scholars to explore and develop greater understanding of the role of tacit know-how in certain knowledge management topics. Research limitations/implications: The authors acknowledge that there are certain limitations to this paper, namely, focusing on the review of tacit knowledge and not on other forms of knowledge. The review presents the role of tacit knowledge and its use in the context of knowledge management related topics. Finally this study proposes only future research directions that are far from being exhaustive, rather than presenting field study results. Originality/value: This paper reviews the existing literature on how tacit knowledge is perceived and used in certain knowledge management areas. Reviewing the current literature uncovers a number of gaps regarding the role of tacit knowledge.
AB - Purpose: Tacit knowledge is often difficult to define, given its inexpressible characteristics. Literature review highlights the impact of tacit knowledge on certain knowledge management topics and these include organizational learning, intellectual capital, knowledge management strategy and so forth, but some research gaps remain. The paper aims to propose directions for future research in this domain of discourse. Design/methodology/approach: A review of existing studies highlights some gaps in the literature on the role of tacit knowledge, which is followed by questions for future research. Findings: Given the richness of tacit knowledge discourse, the authors believe that the proposed questions offer avenues for scholars to explore and develop greater understanding of the role of tacit know-how in certain knowledge management topics. Research limitations/implications: The authors acknowledge that there are certain limitations to this paper, namely, focusing on the review of tacit knowledge and not on other forms of knowledge. The review presents the role of tacit knowledge and its use in the context of knowledge management related topics. Finally this study proposes only future research directions that are far from being exhaustive, rather than presenting field study results. Originality/value: This paper reviews the existing literature on how tacit knowledge is perceived and used in certain knowledge management areas. Reviewing the current literature uncovers a number of gaps regarding the role of tacit knowledge.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84858806237&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1108/13673271211218915
DO - 10.1108/13673271211218915
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:84858806237
VL - 16
SP - 356
EP - 371
JO - Journal of Knowledge Management
JF - Journal of Knowledge Management
SN - 1367-3270
IS - 2
ER -