A systematic literature review on knowledge transfer in safety-critical systems: focus on tacit knowledge

Artikel i vetenskaplig tidskrift, 2026

The departure of experienced individuals from an organization can lead to a substantial decline in productivity, efficiency, and safety, primarily due
to the loss of specialized knowledge and skills. The intuitive understanding gained through long-term engagement in operational safety, procedural
compliance, and the handling of non-normal situations is often tacit in nature—unspoken, experience-based, and difficult to formalize or document.
Effectively transferring this type of tacit knowledge requires the application of targeted strategies. This systematic literature review, conducted in
accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, aims to identify and synthesize existing methodologies for knowledge transfer, with a particular emphasis
on tacit knowledge in safety-critical systems. A total of 22 empirical and non-empirical studies from sectors such as nuclear power, offshore op
erations, aerospace, control rooms, maritime, and railways were systematically reviewed. The findings were analysed, categorized, and presented
using the SECI model. The review underscores the critical role of knowledge management and the need for effective methods to support knowledge
transfer. It also highlights the importance of personal interactions grounded in mutual trust within social communities—such as apprenticeships—in
facilitating the transfer of tacit knowledge. However, these methodologies are often inconsistently documented. Informal interactions likewise
contribute significantly to tacit knowledge transfer. In safety-critical system environments, however, informal organizational structures can pose
risks, as such channels may become untraceable and lead to deviations from established standard operating procedures (SOPs). Additionally, the
review reveals inconsistencies in how tacit knowledge is defined and operationalized, which complicates the development of research instruments.
In summary, this systematic literature review offers a comprehensive overview of existing research on tacit knowledge transfer in safety-critical
systems, emphasizing common practices and identifying key gaps in documentation and methodological consistency.