Posted by John Tieso on June 03, 1999 at 14:51:45:

In Reply to: What is the difference between information and explicit knowledge? posted by Kees de Vos on June 02, 1999 at 17:36:29:

Kees:

An interesting question!

I would submit that information, as data that has a context or meaning, and has been collected and manipulated for a specific purpose, is static in nature. It exists--if it has been copied down, such as a book or manual, but the fact that information has been recorded does not automatically make it knowledge.

On the other hand, the ability to read, comprehend, and replicate procedures in a manual, and remember those procedures for use in future occasions, adds a new perspective to the information. It is the ability to KNOW HOW information can be used that makes the information knowledge.

An example:

A person with no training takes a manual and attempts to repair an automobile. That person reads the manual, looks at the illustrations, and replaces the windshield wipers--a simple task.

If the person reembers what they read and how to replace blades in the future, then they have acquired knowledge. if they remember what book they read the procedures in, and how to find the procedure once they have the book, they have acquired more limited knowledge that at least takes them to the book.

However, if they require someone else to remember where the book is, and also require assistance to find the relevent section that deals with blade replacement, I would question if knowledge has been acquired that is of value. Basically, all they know is a piece of information--procedure is in a book somewhere.

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Follow Ups:

• Re: Expilicit knowledge and windshiel wipers Kees de Vos 18:21:11 6/03/99 (5)
  • Re: Expilicit knowledge and windshiel wipers John Tieso 14:40:29 6/04/99 (0)
  • Re: Explicit knowledge and windshiel wipers Mezei 18:29:03 6/03/99 (3)
    • Re: Services for @Brint Community Members & Affiliates editor 04:56:30 6/04/99 (0)
    • Re: Explicit knowledge and windshield (!) wipers Kees de Vos 18:37:48 6/03/99 (1)
      • Re: Explicit knowledge and windshield (!) wipers Mezei 11:45:59 6/07/99 (0)

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