Cahier de recherche N°14 - ESC Pau

AbstractResearch in the area of knowledge transfer has mainly addressed the transfer process from an instrumental,market-driven perspective. From this perspective, tacit knowledge is mainly regarded as animpediment 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 ofscientific experts within the petroleum industry. In their daily work, experts regard the transfer of knowledgeas a sine qua non of becoming expert, since interactions with others are 1) learning opportunitiesin themselves, and 2) social occasions during which people demonstrate their social status as experts.Consequently, we conclude, that the social and the relational nature of expert knowledge, as a form oftacit knowledge, can be regarded as & facilitator in the knowledge transfer process, rather than a barrier.Finally, conclusions and implications are drawn.Keywords: Tacit knowledge; intrinsic motivation; knowledge transfer; expertise knowledge.22CAHIERdeRECHERCHE N°14