Tacit knowledge

Abstract Until recently, the concept of tacit knowledge has been neglected by academics and managers alike, but this has now changed as lacit know-how has become recognized as palying a key role in firm growth and economic competitivenss. Tacit knowledge forms an important element in a firm's knowledge base and has a central role in organizational learning. This analysis stresses the need to view tacit knowledge in a dynamic setting, and that tacit knowledge can be acquired and transferred on a variety of levels: individual, group, firm and inter-firm basis. The paper then explores the policy implications of technology transfer initiatives which seek of shift tacit know-how between firms and analyzes the ways that this can be achieved. Current address: PREST; 8 John Adum Street, London WC2N 6EZ, UK Current address: PREST; 8 John Adum Street, London WC2N 6EZ, UK Notes Current address: PREST; 8 John Adum Street, London WC2N 6EZ, UK