First of all the model reflects the three knowledge levels: individual, group and organizational
knowledge level. On each of these levels various types of knowledge exist: implicit and explicit
knowledge; knowledge in terms of property and knowledge in terms of meta-knowledge. Between
these knowledge levels and within the individual and group level processes of knowledge sharing take
place. In Figure 4, these processes are indicated by different arrows. Four different sub-processes as
shown in Figure 3 can be found in every process of knowledge sharing. Not indicated in the model is
that sharing knowledge in organizations is not isolated from the social environment. Interactions occur
between different knowledge levels and the social context (e.g., Huysman & De Wit, 2000).
Our model describes different ‘processes of sharing knowledge on behalf of organizational learning’
and is derived from the model of organizational learning, developed by Huysman & de Wit (2000, p.
24). Several concepts in this model are derived from the Sociology of Knowledge (Berger &
Luckmann, 1966). Berger & Luckman (1966) were among the first scientists who described the
creation of knowledge as a social process. They elaborated important insights into the development of
the social construction of knowledge. Berger & Luckmans ideas are designed to analyze and
understand knowledge sharing as a social process. Huysman & De Wit (2000) related this idea of
institutionalization to the process of knowledge sharing within an organization. We more or less
modified this model of organizational learning by adding sub-processes of knowledge sharing, inspired
by ideas of Nonaka & Takeuchi (1995).