The guide to tacit knowledge learning
May 09 2024
Have you ever realized that most of our knowledge and skills are acquired through informal channels? Tacit knowledge, which is the knowledge that is not easily expressed in words, is actually an indispensable part of our daily lives and professional development. From intuitive judgment to skill mastery, implicit knowledge plays a crucial role in various fields.In this blog post, we will explore how to effectively learn and leverage these hidden knowledge resources to enhance individual capabilities and improve work efficiency. Whether you're an entrepreneur, educator, or ordinary employee, understanding how to identify, nurture, and transform tacit knowledge can bring tremendous benefits.
What is tacit knowledge
Tacit knowledge refers to knowledge that is difficult to articulate clearly through words, text, or symbols. This type of knowledge is deeply rooted in an individual's experience, intuition, and insight, closely tied to personal mental models, skill mastery, and even emotional attitudes. It is often highly context-specific and task-related, making it less observable and measurable compared to explicit knowledge.
The existence of tacit knowledge, although elusive, has a profound impact on individual cognitive development, skill enhancement, and the cultivation of innovative abilities. In our daily learning, work, and even life, we may have experienced this: certain skills or insights, though clearly mastered, are difficult to accurately convey to others in words. Or, when faced with complex problems, the kind of understanding that can only be intuited rather than explicitly expressed is a manifestation of tacit knowledge at work.
To further explore the nature of tacit knowledge, we can easily see that it is, in fact, a highly personalized form of knowledge. Each person's life experiences, learning environments, and even ways of thinking are unique, which determines that the tacit knowledge each individual possesses is also different. This uniqueness makes the transmission and sharing of tacit knowledge extremely challenging, but at the same time, it endows tacit knowledge with very high value.
Characteristics of Tacit Knowledge
- Tacit knowledge is difficult to articulate: Tacit knowledge is challenging to express clearly and completely through language, text, or symbols. This difficulty in communication stems from its highly personalized and implicit nature, often deeply rooted in personal experiences, intuitions, and insights, closely intertwined with an individual's cognitive structure and thought patterns. Therefore, even when individuals attempt to impart their tacit knowledge to others, they often struggle to find suitable language or means of expression to accurately describe it. This inherent difficulty in communication to some extent limits the dissemination and practical application of tacit knowledge. However, it also imbues tacit knowledge with unique value, making it a significant source of core competitive advantage for individuals or organizations.
- Tacit knowledge is context-dependent: this means that the generation, understanding, and application of implicit knowledge are closely tied to specific contexts and tasks. In different contexts, the same implicit knowledge may manifest in different forms and effectiveness. This context-dependency requires careful consideration of situational factors in the transmission and application of implicit knowledge to ensure its validity and applicability. At the same time, context-dependency increases the difficulty of learning and applying implicit knowledge, demanding that learners possess heightened situational awareness and adaptability to flexibly apply implicit knowledge to solve problems in real-world contexts.
- Tacit knowledge exhibits personalized characteristics: Firstly, the formation and accumulation of implicit knowledge are influenced by individual factors such as personal experience, cognitive structure, and thinking patterns. Therefore, implicit knowledge mastered by different individuals varies in content and quality. Secondly, the application methods and effects of implicit knowledge also differ from person to person; the same knowledge may yield vastly different results in different individuals' hands. This personalized nature necessitates thorough consideration of individual differences and diversity in the processes of learning and transmission of implicit knowledge, enabling the development of personalized learning schemes and training plans.
- Tacit knowledge is difficult to directly observe and measure: Due to its deep-rooted nature in personal experience and its often context-specific and task-specific relevance, the existence and effects of tacit knowledge are challenging to assess through direct observation and measurement. This increases the difficulty of learning and applying tacit knowledge to some extent, requiring learners to possess high levels of self-awareness and reflective ability to better understand and apply their own tacit knowledge. Moreover, the difficulty in direct observation and measurement also implies the need for more flexible and diverse assessment methods in the process of transferring tacit knowledge, ensuring effective knowledge transmission and controllable quality.
Difference between Tacit Knowledge and Explicit Knowledge
There are significant differences in nature and manifestation between explicit knowledge and tacit knowledge, which are crucial for understanding and applying these two types of knowledge. Explicit knowledge refers to knowledge that can be clearly expressed through language, words, or symbols, such as knowledge found in textbooks, papers, and reports. It possesses characteristics such as clarity, articulability, and transferability. On the other hand, tacit knowledge is difficult to articulate; it is deeply rooted in personal experience, intuition, and insight. It is often closely tied to specific contexts and tasks, thus exhibiting strong personalization, context dependency, and difficulty in direct observation.
In terms of nature, explicit knowledge is clear and articulable. It can be precisely transmitted and shared through language, writing, and other symbolic systems. This type of knowledge is the focus of formal education, vocational training, scientific research, and similar fields. In contrast, tacit knowledge is more subtle and elusive, involving personal intuition, insights, and experiential learning at a deeper cognitive level. It is often difficult to fully express in explicit language or writing. Despite its crucial role in personal learning, work, and innovation processes, tacit knowledge is frequently overlooked or underestimated due to its ineffable nature.
In terms of their manifestation, explicit knowledge typically exists in the form of documents such as books, papers, and reports, making it convenient for people to consult, study, and communicate. This type of knowledge can be learned and mastered through reading, listening, watching, and other similar methods, with a relatively stable form and clear learning pathways. Tacit knowledge, on the other hand, manifests more as personal skills, experiences, and ways of thinking. It is often closely related to individuals' practical experiences and life backgrounds, making it difficult to transmit through simple words or language alone. This kind of knowledge requires learning and understanding through observation, imitation, practice, and other complex and lengthy processes.
Explicit knowledge and tacit knowledge also differ in their application fields and transformation relationships. Explicit knowledge predominates in areas such as scientific research, technological development, and education. It can continuously enhance people's cognitive levels and practical abilities through systematic learning and teaching. On the other hand, tacit knowledge plays a crucial role in personal development, organizational innovation, and cultural heritage, relying on individual experiential learning and team collaboration for accumulation and refinement. These two types of knowledge are not isolated; under certain conditions, they can be mutually transformed. For instance, through reflection and summarization of personal experiences, some tacit knowledge can be converted into explicit knowledge, facilitating communication and sharing with others. Conversely, learning and absorbing explicit knowledge can stimulate the generation and development of new tacit knowledge.
tacit knowledge learning strategy
factors influencing tacit knowledge acquisition
- Learner Characteristics: The cognitive styles of learners significantly influence the acquisition and application of implicit knowledge. For instance, field-independent learners are better at understanding problems from a holistic and abstract perspective, whereas field-dependent learners tend to rely more on external information to solve problems. These cognitive style differences affect learners' information processing and strategy selection during the learning of implicit knowledge.
- Learning Motivation: Strong learning motivation can stimulate learners' interest and initiative, prompting them to explore and master tacit knowledge more deeply. Conversely, learners lacking motivation may show little interest and engagement in acquiring tacit knowledge, resulting in poor learning outcomes.
- Prior knowledge: Learners' existing knowledge and experience can provide a foundation and support for acquiring and applying tacit knowledge. Learners with relevant prior knowledge find it easier to understand and apply tacit knowledge, whereas those lacking prior knowledge may require more time and effort to grasp these concepts.
- Learning Environment: Cultural atmosphere is an essential aspect of the learning environment. In a culture that encourages innovation and is open and inclusive, learners find it easier to exchange and share tacit knowledge, thereby accelerating the process of tacit knowledge acquisition. Conversely, in a conservative and closed cultural atmosphere, learners may approach tacit knowledge learning with skepticism, leading to ineffective learning outcomes.
- Interpersonal Relationships: Good interpersonal relationships can facilitate communication and cooperation among learners, providing opportunities and platforms for learning tacit knowledge. By engaging in communication and collaboration with others, learners can acquire more tacit knowledge and apply it in practice.
- Physical Environment: A good physical environment can provide learners with a comfortable space and facilities conducive to better focusing on implicit knowledge acquisition. Conversely, a noisy, crowded, or lacking necessary facilities physical environment may disrupt learners' learning processes and diminish learning effectiveness.
How to learn tacit knowledge
- Building Reflective Learning Habits: Tacit knowledge often relies on personal experience, intuition, and insight. Therefore, learners need to cultivate the habit of reflective learning. During the learning process, learners should continually review their practical experiences, reflect on their actions, decisions, and feelings in specific contexts, and thus discover and extract tacit knowledge. Through reflection, learners can deepen their understanding of tacit knowledge and enhance the depth and breadth of their learning.
- Enhancing Practical Experience: Tacit knowledge is often related to specific contexts and tasks; therefore, practical experience is a crucial avenue for acquiring and applying tacit knowledge. Learners should actively engage in practical activities to perceive and comprehend tacit knowledge through personal experience. Additionally, learners should continuously try new methods and techniques during practice to better master and utilize tacit knowledge. Through practical experience, learners can deepen their understanding and mastery of tacit knowledge, thereby improving the flexibility and accuracy of its application.
- Utilizing External Resources: During the process of learning implicit knowledge, learners can significantly enhance their learning outcomes by leveraging external resources. For instance, learners can seek guidance and assistance from mentors or peers, engaging in discussions to glean implicit knowledge from their experiences. Additionally, participation in relevant seminars, lectures, and other activities enables learners to broaden their perspectives, stay updated on cutting-edge developments, and thereby gain a better grasp of implicit knowledge.
- Establishing a Community of Learning: Learning tacit knowledge often requires collaboration and communication with others. Learners can create a community of learning to share tacit knowledge collectively, facilitating mutual learning. Within such a community, learners engage in practical activities, discuss issues, and exchange experiences to better grasp and apply tacit knowledge. Additionally, a learning community provides a conducive environment and atmosphere, conducive to the generation and transmission of tacit knowledge.
Summary
Tacit knowledge, as an essential component of knowledge, holds significant importance in modern society that cannot be overlooked. Tacit knowledge often closely relates to personal experience, intuition, and insights accumulated through long-term practice. This type of knowledge is difficult to express explicitly through language, words, or symbols, yet it plays a crucial role in solving practical problems and driving innovation. Therefore, for individuals and organizations alike, mastering and applying tacit knowledge is key to enhancing competitiveness and achieving sustainable development.
This article elaborates on various effective strategies for learning tacit knowledge, such as engaging in practical activities, leveraging external resources, and fostering intuitive thinking. We hope these strategies will assist learners in better discovering and capturing tacit knowledge, thereby accelerating their acquisition and application processes.