'Generative dance' between tacit knowledge, expertise and organisational frameworks

Abstract

In this paper, we argue that it is critical for both strategy and entrepreneurship scholars to understand the competing choices that knowledge-holders face for deploying their knowledge and ultimately creating and appropriating value within: (1) established organisational structures, (2) new ventures or (3) market exchange. We explore the value creation options from individuals' tacit knowledge and expertise within a dynamic context, arguing that primarily through the 'generative dance' between tacit knowledge, expertise and combinatory assets of organisational frameworks will the knowledge-based value creation unfold over time. The level of configurations of knowledge-based assets and other organisational combinatory assets will impact the distribution of gains and the share the knowledge-holder will extract from generated economic rents. We shift the focus to the source of the value (i.e. the knowledge-holder) and pose the question: 'Who benefits most from the value generated from tacit knowledge and expertise?'