From Intuition to Innovation: Harnessing Tacit Knowledge for Public Innovation A case study on the design of policy measures to address COVID-19 at the Public Health Agency of Canada

Abstract

This research explores how federal policy practitioners applied their tacit knowledge during the COVID-19 pandemic to design policy measures addressing this public health crisis. A qualitative case study involving semi-structured interviews with policy practitioners at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) examined their experiences navigating the demands and uncertainties of rapidly developing pandemic response policies. The findings revealed practitioners' heavy reliance on tacit knowledge - their accumulated experiences, intuition and contextual understanding - to fill information gaps and adapt to changing circumstances. However, they faced challenges articulating this personal, context-specific knowledge. The study highlights the role practitioners' tacit insights played in crisis policy development, demonstrating the importance of integrating both informational and inspirational design approaches. By institutionalizing practices that embrace tacit knowledge and diverse perspectives alongside empirical evidence, policy development processes can become more responsive and innovative, better equipping governments to address complex public challenges.