Assessing non-technical methods for transferring tacit knowledge in safety-critical systems: a study on maritime pilot training

Paper in proceeding, 2022

A safety-critical system is a system whose failure or malfunction will have serious consequences and typically include, healthcare, aerospace, naval operations, nuclear or process industries, and military systems. Safety-critical systems also show a high level of automation and are to a high degree dependent on tacit knowledge embedded within the workforce. It is important to an organization to find methods to manage tacit knowledge transfer and thereby establishing resilience over time. Maritime pilotage is a safety-critical segment of the maritime industry to assure safe, economic, and sustainable naval operations. During the maritime pilot training the maritime pilot student acquires trade specific skills, often in the shape of tacit knowledge, primarily when interacting with other more experienced maritime pilots. The purpose of this study is to improve the maritime pilot training to mitigate increasing requirements of safe, economical, and environmentally sustainable shipping operations. The aim of the study was to locate, catch, crystallise, document, and describe non-technical methods of tacit knowledge transfer during the different elements of the maritime pilot training. This study is a mixed-method study, based on observations, interviews, questionnaires, and document analysis. In total, 21 participants were included in the study, consisting of maritime pilot students, less experienced but licensed maritime pilots, and highly experienced master maritime pilots. The results show that a substantial amount of tacit knowledge transfer occurs during on-the-job activities. Such activities are predominantly taking place in social settings and are not consistently documented or systematically utilized within the organization.