The semiotics of tacit knowledge sharing: a study from the perspective of symbolic interactionism

Abstract This article proposes an integrated theoretical model, combining Polanyi and Peirce constructs - tacit knowledge and semiotics, respectively - under the symbolic interactionist perspective. It aims to understand how signs are manifested as mediators in the tacit knowledge sharing process among members of a cooperative organization. It is based on: a theoretical articulation of the principles of tacit knowledge, which defends the ineffability of this kind of knowledge; semiotic theory, in which signs are a representation of “something for someone” and imply that everything in the world is a sign; and the symbolic interactionist view. This theoretical integration presents a significant theoretical contribution because it proposes a process of semiotic perception to tacit knowledge sharing. This perspective suggests that tacit knowledge sharing occurs through symbolic interaction, mediated by semiotics; this innovative model depends both on internal and external conditions, albeit involving aspects outside organizational control.摘要 本研究提出一套整合性理论模型，在符号互动论（symbolic interactionist perspective）视角下，结合波兰尼的隐性知识（tacit knowledge）与皮尔斯的符号学（semiotics）两大理论建构。本研究旨在探究合作型组织成员间的隐性知识共享过程中，符号是如何作为中介载体得以显现的。本研究的理论基础包括：系统阐释隐性知识核心原则的理论建构——该建构主张此类知识具有不可言传性；符号学理论——该理论认为符号是"为某一主体指代某一事物"的表征，且暗含世间万物皆为符号；以及符号互动论视角。这一理论整合具有重要的理论贡献，因其为隐性知识共享提出了一套符号感知的研究路径。该视角指出，隐性知识共享通过符号互动实现，并以符号学为中介；这一创新性模型同时依赖内外部条件，尽管其涉及部分组织无法管控的要素。