Title: The classification of knowledge and expertise in Finnish nuclear power plants

Authors: Tanja Kuronen, Niina Rintala

Addresses: Helsinki University of Technology, Finland. ' Helsinki University of Technology, Finland

Abstract: The difficulties in sharing tacit knowledge may compromise the safe performance of high-reliability organisations. This threat has been recognised in nuclear power plants worldwide, owing to the risk of simultaneous retirements. In this study, the nature of tacit knowledge in Finnish nuclear power plants was examined and the expertise of nuclear workers modelled. The results of this interview study showed that the tacit nuclear knowledge can be classified in two dimensions: technical and contextual. According to this classification, the employees in plants can be categorised in four categories: the experts; the novices; the technical specialists; the context sensitives.

Keywords: tacit knowledge; knowledge sharing; nuclear expertise; modelling; high-reliability organisation; nuclear power plants; nuclear knowledge management; Finland; nuclear energy; nuclear power; nuclear industry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNKM.2006.010290

International Journal of Nuclear Knowledge Management, 2006 Vol.2 No.2, pp.134 - 140

Published online: 13 Jul 2006 *

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