KM in Higher Learning Institutions

This study reports the findings from an interpretive exploration of tacit knowledge construction and application among the Malaysian academicians. In the knowledge era, higher learning institutions are increasingly exposed to marketplace pressures similar to other business. Therefore, it is pertinent for higher learning institutions to leverage on their knowledge for sustainability. However, efforts to leverage on tacit knowledge faced difficulties due to lack of understanding of tacit knowledge within its contextual boundary. The ambiguities surrounding tacit knowledge require deeper understanding of its construction and application to manage it as an important resource for academic institutions. The study discovered that tacit knowledge is constructed through implicit learning from the accumulated past experiences. Tacit knowledge is applied by the academicians as their adaptation strategies in appropriate job situation to fulfil the academic excellence norm.