To Trade or to Teach: Modeling Tacit Knowledge Diffusion in Complex Social Networks

A simulation model is established based on Jackson's algorithm, which captures five social networks' properties, to analyze the dynamic characteristics of tacit knowledge diffusion in this paper. Different local-level tacit knowledge exchange behavioral patterns are considered in this model, namely `tacit knowledge trade' and `tacit knowledge teaching'. The steady-state knowledge level and the process of tacit knowledge diffusion evolution under different social network topology and tacit knowledge exchange patterns are simulated and analyzed. The simulation results demonstrate that the efficiency of tacit knowledge diffusion decrease as the social network heterogeneity increase. And the `tacit knowledge teaching' pattern can significantly improve the efficiency of tacit knowledge diffusion.