Beyond The Tacit-Explicit Dichotomy: Towards A Conceptual Framework For Mapping Knowledge Creation, Sharing & Networking

The purpose of this paper is to critically analyze the knowledge sharing mechanisms at the individual-institutional levels which foster transfer of knowledge, resulting into the formation of knowledge networks. In particular, the paper develops an argument based on seven propositions to establish a roadmap for knowledge creation, sharing mechanisms and knowledge networks based on literature review. The basic premise of the argument revolves around the concepts of theorists (e.g. Cook & Brown, 1999; Cabrera & Cabrera, 2002; Boh, 2007) which provide four classifications of knowledge sharing mechanisms. In a theoretical discourse, the analysis suggests that knowledge sharing mechanisms under each classification gives rise to a certain type of knowledge network (based on the nature of knowledge created and mechanism used) during the transfer of knowledge. The author attempts to propose a conceptual framework to map the transfer of knowledge from creation to sharing and networking.