The diffusion of tacit knowledge and its implications on information systems: the role of meta-abilities

Diffusing tacit knowledge, a transparent and subjective form of knowledge, needs an individual’s ability to externalize and sharing of this knowledge. This paper proposes a framework for the diffusion of tacit knowledge by using the concept of meta‐abilities. The argument of this research is that meta‐abilities develop individual influencing skills and sharing attitudes. These two elements in turn enable individuals to externalize their tacit knowledge in the form of creative idea, actions, reactions and reflection. Documenting these externalized and shared knowledge can provide a basis to keep information systems (IS) updated with relevant and reliable “best practices”. From a discussion of this framework, it is concluded that the future focus for the diffusion of tacit knowledge should be toward an individual’s meta‐abilities development that develop creativity and interpretivity. There should also be an impetus towards creating the right organizational culture and infrastructure that promotes tacit knowledge sharing and externalization within and between employees.