Editing Knowledge management (section)

==== Informal methods ====
Informal knowledge protection methods refer to the use of informal mechanisms such as human resource management practices or secrecy to protect knowledge assets. There is notable amount of knowledge that cannot be protected by formal methods, and for which more informal protection might be the most efficient option.<ref name="olander2014"/>

Informal knowledge protection methods can take various forms, such as: secrecy, social norms and values, complexity, lead-time and Human resource management.<ref name="gast2019"/><ref name="estrada2016"/><ref name="telg2023">{{cite journal |last1=Telg |first1=Nina |last2=Lokshin |first2=Boris |last3=Letterie |first3=Wilko |title=How formal and informal intellectual property protection matters for firms' decision to engage in coopetition: The role of environmental dynamism and competition intensity |journal=Technovation |date=2023 |volume=124 |page=102751 |doi=10.1016/j.technovation.2023.102751|s2cid=257908051 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name="olander2014">{{cite journal |last1=Olander |first1=Heidi |last2=Vanhala |first2=Mika |last3=Hurmelinna-Laukkanen |first3=Pia |title=Reasons for choosing mechanisms to protect knowledge and innovations |journal=Management Decision |date=2014 |volume=52 |issue=2 |pages=207–229 |doi=10.1108/MD-11-2012-0791|url=https://lutpub.lut.fi/handle/10024/160013 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Informal knowledge protection methods protect knowledge assets for example by making it difficult for outsiders to access and understand the knowledge within the boundaries of the organization.<ref name="telg2023"/> Informal protection methods are more effective for protecting knowledge that is complex or difficult to express, articulate, or codify.<ref name="telg2023"/><ref name="olander2014"/>