The Commitment of Unwritten Knowledge: Bridging the Gap between Combat Experiences and Soldiers Professional Commitment through Tacit Knowledge Sharing

Abstract In Nigeria's fourth republic, insecurity challenges have affected military professionalism and organisational behaviour. These challenges in professionalism and organisational behaviour were influenced by ethnoreligious, geographical, and political-economic issues, which cast doubt on Nigerian troops' tacit knowledge sharing and professional responsibility, thereby affecting combat exposure and experience. The study examined how tacit information sharing moderates combat exposure, experiences, and professional commitment in military personnel. (252) Nigerian soldiers were purposively and conveniently sampled using four instruments: Combat Exposure, Combat Experiences, Tacit Knowledge Sharing, and Professional Commitment. The study investigated five hypotheses and found that tacit knowledge sharing increases professional dedication, but combat exposure and experiences do not. Tacit knowledge sharing was significant for battle experiences and professional commitment, but it did not modify the link between combat exposure and professional commitment. These results suggest that military leaders should promote tacit knowledge sharing to strengthen professionalism and resilience among troops. Understanding this link helps military commanders encourage tacit knowledge exchange and a culture of learning and development among their troops. The current study can help soldiers cope with combat, improve their field performance, and advance their military careers regardless of political, religious, economic, cultural, or ethnic affiliations. Other ramifications, restrictions, and research ideas were explored.