The paper explores the economics of knowledge codification and tacitness, emphasizing the need for a clearer conceptual framework. It critiques the misuse of the term "tacit knowledge" in economic policy discussions, which has led to confusion and flawed policy arguments. The authors argue that tacit knowledge is not inherently inarticulable but depends on context and the costs of articulation. They propose an explicit economic framework for understanding knowledge codification, which can better inform public policy on science, technology, and economic growth. The paper discusses the distinction between codified and tacit knowledge, highlighting that codified knowledge is explicit and can be transmitted, while tacit knowledge is implicit and often unarticulated. It examines how tacit knowledge is used in economic policy debates, particularly in justifying government subsidies for R&D. The authors argue that the concept of tacit knowledge has been misapplied, leading to incorrect conclusions about the economic implications of knowledge. The paper also addresses the economic implications of tacit knowledge in innovation and technological development. It notes that tacit knowledge is often more valuable in local contexts and that its "stickiness" allows firms to protect their knowledge. The authors suggest that the economic case for public subsidies of R&D is weakened by the mobility of tacit knowledge among employees. They argue that the concept of tacit knowledge has been used to justify a new form of strategic innovation policy, emphasizing the importance of national competitiveness. The paper concludes that the economic analysis of knowledge codification and tacitness requires a more precise and analytical approach. It emphasizes the need for a new taxonomic framework to better understand the economic determinants of codification and the role of tacit knowledge in innovation and economic growth. The authors stress that the nature of knowledge, its codification or tacitness, is a critical factor in understanding economic growth and the role of knowledge in economic development.The paper explores the economics of knowledge codification and tacitness, emphasizing the need for a clearer conceptual framework. It critiques the misuse of the term "tacit knowledge" in economic policy discussions, which has led to confusion and flawed policy arguments. The authors argue that tacit knowledge is not inherently inarticulable but depends on context and the costs of articulation. They propose an explicit economic framework for understanding knowledge codification, which can better inform public policy on science, technology, and economic growth. The paper discusses the distinction between codified and tacit knowledge, highlighting that codified knowledge is explicit and can be transmitted, while tacit knowledge is implicit and often unarticulated. It examines how tacit knowledge is used in economic policy debates, particularly in justifying government subsidies for R&D. The authors argue that the concept of tacit knowledge has been misapplied, leading to incorrect conclusions about the economic implications of knowledge. The paper also addresses the economic implications of tacit knowledge in innovation and technological development. It notes that tacit knowledge is often more valuable in local contexts and that its "stickiness" allows firms to protect their knowledge. The authors suggest that the economic case for public subsidies of R&D is weakened by the mobility of tacit knowledge among employees. They argue that the concept of tacit knowledge has been used to justify a new form of strategic innovation policy, emphasizing the importance of national competitiveness. The paper concludes that the economic analysis of knowledge codification and tacitness requires a more precise and analytical approach. It emphasizes the need for a new taxonomic framework to better understand the economic determinants of codification and the role of tacit knowledge in innovation and economic growth. The authors stress that the nature of knowledge, its codification or tacitness, is a critical factor in understanding economic growth and the role of knowledge in economic development.