Know-how

Know-how is different from other kinds of Knowledge such as Propositional Knowledge in that it can be directly applied to a Task . Procedural knowledge about solving problems differs from propositional knowledge about Problem Solving . For example, in some legal systems, this knowledge or ''know-how'' has been considered the Intellectual Property of a company, and can be transferred when that company is purchased.

One limitation of procedural knowledge is its job-dependence; thus it tends to be less general than propositional knowledge. For example, a computer expert might have Knowledge about a computer algorithm in multiple languages, or in pseudo-code, whereas a Visual Basic programmer might only know about a specific implementation of that algorithm, written in Visual Basic. Thus the 'hands-on' expertise and experience of the Visual Basic programmer might be of commercial value only to Microsoft job-shops, for example.

One advantage of procedural knowledge is that it can involve more Sense s, such as hands-on experience, practice at solving problems, understanding of the limitations of a specific solution, etc. Thus know-how can frequently eclipse theory.

In Intellectual Property law, the know-how is a parcel of closely-held information relating to industrial technology, sometimes also referred to as a Trade Secret which enables its user to derive commercial benefit from it. It is a component of the intellectual property rights on its own merits in most legislations but most often accompanies the license to the right-of-use of Patent s or Trademark s owned by the party releasing it for circumscribed use. Knowhow does not however solely comprise of secret information that is not in the public domain; it is a "bundled" parcel of secret and related non-secret information which would be novel to an expert in the field of its usage.

SEE ALSO

EXTERNAL LINKS

Wikihowto - a proposed Wikimedia project

FAQ of the Know-how Wiki for '' How To Solve It ''

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Know-how