What is knowledge that resides in the minds of employees but has not been documented called?

The concept described is known as tacit knowledge. Tacit knowledge refers to the insights, intuitions, and experiences that individuals possess, which have not been formally documented or articulated. This type of knowledge is often challenging to transfer to others because it is deeply rooted in personal experiences and contexts.

Tacit knowledge plays a vital role in creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making within an organization, as it encompasses the skills and know-how that employees develop through their personal and professional experiences. Examples include a seasoned employee's ability to navigate complex tasks, understand subtle client needs, or troubleshoot issues based on intuition rather than written guidelines.

In contrast, organizational memory refers to the accumulated knowledge from past experiences within an organization that has been documented and can be accessed and utilized. Standard operating procedures are formalized processes for specific tasks that help ensure consistency and efficiency in operations. Corporate culture encompasses the shared values, beliefs, and practices that shape how employees interact and work together within the organization.