Tacit Knowledge, Idiosyncratic Knowledge, Path Dependence Essay

Tacit Knowledge, Idiosyncratic Knowledge, Path Dependence - Essay Example In other words, tacit knowledge is hidden knowledge, as opposed to explicit knowledge, which is its opposite, woven into the very processes that some organizations have developed through the years, and woven into the very fabric of the way people carry out their work. It can be surmised that the more knowledge intensive the work is, the greater the role that tacit knowledge plays in making the products and delivering the services tied to that work. b. Idiosyncratic Knowledge As the name suggests, idiosyncratic knowledge is knowledge that is specific to one particular situation, organization, or group of people, and not available elsewhere. There are many kinds of idiosyncratic or specific knowledge for one kind of firm, and like tacit knowledge idiosyncratic knowledge is very much embedded into the very fabric of the organization and of the members of that organization, not easily surfaced and discovered, and very difficult to codify. As the name further suggests idiosyncratic knowledge is something very intimate, and something that cannot be had overnight, for one organization or firm. It is rather something that takes a long time to develop, and something that has to be born and bred in one organization from its daily operations, not easily ported and transferred to other organizations or groups. Moreover, the nature of the idiosyncratic knowledge and of its use has far-reaching implications for competitive advantage and the long-term viability and suc cess of organizations.