Intrinsic Motivation, Tacit Knowledge and its Transfer

Research in the area of knowledge transfer has mainly addressed the transfer process from an instrumental, market-driven perspective. On this view, tacit knowledge is mainly regarded as an impediment to its transfer. This study argues that tacit knowledge, given its social and intrinsic nature, can facilitate the transfer process. Our argument is based on information elicited from a number of scientific experts within the petrol industry. In their daily work, experts regard the transfer of knowledge as sine qua non of becoming expert, since interactions with others are 1) learning opportunities for themselves, and 2) as social occasions on which they demonstrate their social status as experts. Consequently, we conclude, the social and the relational nature of expertise knowledge, as a form of tacit knowledge, can be regarded as facilitators in the knowledge transfer process, rather than a barrier. Finally, conclusions and implications are drawn out.