An interpretive exploration on tacit knowledge dimensions in academia

This interpretive study explored tacit knowledge in Malaysian academia. Academicians are important assets in institutions of higher learning; therefore it is critical to understand tacit knowledge which resides in them. The lack of understanding of tacit knowledge impedes the efforts of managing it as a source of competitive advantage. The research employs the grounded theory approach and data are gathered through semi-structured interviews incorporating the critical incidences technique. It is discovered that tacit knowledge of Malaysian academicians is knowledge internalized in their work practices, which is externalized through action strategies in fulfilling the seven performance indicators introduced by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education. Three dimensions of tacit knowledge are discovered, namely the intellectual-affirmation tacit knowledge, self tacit knowledge and social tacit knowledge. Theoretical contributions from this study include a paradigm model of knowledge internalization and a theoretical model of tacit knowledge dimensions in Malaysian academia. Practically, the research highlights the tacit knowledge content of successful academicians which is imperative to improve the performance of an academician and the institution.