Tacit Knowledge Transfer in Finnish Manufacturing Companies

Abstract

Tacit knowledge, which is based on individual experience and intuition, is important to operational performance in the manufacturing industry. However, this type of knowledge is difficult to articulate, capture, or systematically transfer. One of the aims of Manufacturing Academy 2.0 project, co-led by Tampere University of Applied Sciences and SASKY Municipal Education and Training Consortium, is to support manufacturing companies in developing their own strategies for recognizing, retaining, and transferring tacit knowledge. This paper explores how tacit knowledge transfer is currently practiced in Finnish manufacturing companies and how these practices relate to the SECI model of knowledge creation. The study is based on 163 company interviews conducted during industry fairs, follow-up company visits, and a co-creation workshop with stakeholders from education and industry. Results show that while tacit knowledge is widely acknowledged as important, companies vary significantly in how systematically they approach its transfer. Socialization and internalization phases are the most established, while externalization and combination remain underdeveloped.