The allegory of tacit knowledge: a review & research agenda for entrepreneurship

Nils Wuytens (), Jelle Schepers (), Pieter Vandekerkhof () and Wim Voordeckers ()
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Nils Wuytens: Hasselt University
Jelle Schepers: Hasselt University
Pieter Vandekerkhof: Hasselt University
Wim Voordeckers: Hasselt University

Review of Managerial Science, 2025, vol. 19, issue 5, No 3, 1347-1380

Abstract: Abstract Research on tacit knowledge in the entrepreneurship field has raised a significant amount of interest in recent years and has developed both quickly and unequally. On the one hand, there is consensus that tacit knowledge is highly valued in the context of entrepreneurship as it often holds unique insights, expertise, and problem-solving capabilities that can provide a competitive advantage to individuals and organizations. On the other hand, research on the intersection of entrepreneurship and tacit knowledge has evolved significantly and developed in different directions (e.g., in terms of research context, levels of analysis, proxies), resulting in fragmented and often ambiguous findings. Therefore, the goal of this study is to consolidate the state-of-the-art of scholarly research published in top-tier entrepreneurship journals. To this aim, we performed a systematic literature review by analysing a set of 25 papers in order to synthesize prior research, identify key gaps and contributions, and propose a framework to enhance our understanding of tacit knowledge in entrepreneurship. This review provides a valuable resource for scholars interested in the intersection of tacit knowledge and entrepreneurship. Our article underscores the need for further research by proposing a research agenda to bridge existing gaps, expand knowledge, and shape the future of this important field.

Keywords: Tacit knowledge; Entrepreneurship; Systematic literature review; Research agenda; L26; D83 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s11846-024-00794-6

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