Research on Explicit and Tacit Knowledge Interaction in Software Process Improvement Project

Jiangping Wan,Xiaoyao Wan,Dan Wan,Weiping Luo

doi:10.4236/jsea.2011.46038

Abstract

This research develops a knowledge model for Software Process Improvement (SPI) project based on knowledge creation theory and its twenty-four measurement items, and proposes two hypothesizes about the interaction of explicit knowledge and tacit knowledge in SPI. Eleven factors are extracted through statistical analysis. Three knowledge-creation practices for capturing tacit knowledge contribute greatly to SPI, which are communication among members, crossover collaboration in practical work and pair programming. Two knowledge-creation practices for capturing explicit knowledge have significant positive impact on SPI, which are integrating project document and on-the-job training. Ultimately, suggestions for improvement are put forward, that is, encouraging communication among staff and integrating documents in real time, and future research is also illustrated.

Highlights

The theory of knowledge creation [1] is based primarily on Polanyi’s [2] categorization of knowledge as explicit and tacit
This research develops a knowledge model for Software Process Improvement (SPI) project based on knowledge creation theory and its twenty-four measurement items, and proposes two hypothesizes about the interaction of explicit knowledge and tacit knowledge in SPI
After field survey and literature review, we found that software requirement development (SRD) is a knowledge creation process

Summary

Introduction

The theory of knowledge creation [1] is based primarily on Polanyi’s [2] categorization of knowledge as explicit and tacit. It prescribes the capture of both explicit and tacit types of knowledge, making it available to the organization in order to generate competitive capabilities. Explicit knowledge is codified knowledge articulated in words, figures, and numbers. It is objective, and relatively easy to share in the form of specifications, standard operating procedures, and data. Tacit knowledge is knowledge that has not been codified and is relatively difficult to codify.

Methods

Results

Conclusion