Explicit knowledge is defined as which of the following?

• A. knowledge that is codified, documented, easily reproduced, and widely distributed
• B. knowledge that is in the minds of employees & is based on their experiences & backgrounds (shared only with the consent and participation of the individual)
• C. knowledge that is codified but not widely distributed
• D. knowledge that is stored only in individuals' memories

Answer: (A)

Explicit knowledge is knowledge that can be written down, documented, and stored in a way that makes it easy to reproduce and share across the organization. It lives in manuals, procedures, databases, and other formal documents, so anyone can access it without needing the original person who created it. This portability and ease of distribution are what set explicit knowledge apart.

That’s why the description that it’s codified, documented, easily reproduced, and widely distributed is the best fit. In contrast, tacit knowledge sits in people's minds, drawn from their experiences and backgrounds, and is shared only with consent or participation, not easily codified. The idea of codified but not widely distributed would limit the sharing that explicit knowledge is about, and storing knowledge only in memories describes tacit knowledge rather than explicit.