Tacit knowledge is defined as which of the following?

• A. knowledge that is in the minds of employees & is based on their experiences & backgrounds (shared only with the consent and participation of the individual)
• B. knowledge that is codified, documented, easily reproduced, and widely distributed
• C. knowledge that is stored in a database and easily retrieved
• D. knowledge learned during formal training programs

Answer: (A)

Tacit knowledge is personal, context-specific know-how that lives in people’s minds and is rooted in their experiences and backgrounds. It’s not easily articulated or written down, and sharing it relies on direct interaction and the individual’s willingness. That’s why the description emphasizing knowledge in the minds of employees based on experience and background (and shared only with the individual’s consent and participation) is the best fit. The other descriptions point to explicit knowledge—codified, documented, easily reproduced or stored in a database, or learned in formal training—which can be articulated and transferred more readily, not tacit knowledge.