Formal and informal interorganizational learning within strategic alliances

Learning behaviors of employees can be either formalized (in the form of programmed events and visits) or informal (in the form of spontaneous interaction and knowledge sharing). We investigate the effect that both types of learning behaviors have on interorganizational learning of substantive knowledge in the context of an alliance. We also look at the effects that the two forms of learning behavior have on each other. We find that while informal learning behaviors have a consistently positive effect on the learning outcome and on formal learning behaviors, this is not so for formal learning behaviors. The effect of formal behaviors on both learning outcome and informal behaviors, while positive, diminishes at higher levels. This leads us to conclude that although both informal and formal learning behaviors foster interorganizational learning, too much formalization obstructs learning. Similarly, while formally programmed behaviors do encourage informal learning behaviors of the boundary spanners, an excess of formalization stifles them.     

The Life and Achievements of Eugeniusz Piasecki: A Renowned Polish Co-founder of Physical Culture Sciences

Abstract

Professor Eugeniusz Piasecki’s multiple contributions to the development of physical education as well as his activities in various educational, scientific, and social organizations place him among the elite physical education theorists in Poland and abroad. Until 1918, Piasecki was active in the cities of Kraków, Lvov, Kiev, and Zakopane, and in the years 1919–1939 and 1945–1947, he became firmly associated with the city of Poznań. Eugeniusz Piasecki was persistent in implementing his reformist ideas, especially in the field of training of physical culture professionals. Piasecki’s activities brought about significant advances in the theory and practice of physical education – called later physical culture sciences. Despite hardships and obstacles in his school and academic path, Eugeniusz Piasecki displayed a unique talent for propitiating medical and pedagogical professionals and for contributing to the development of the Scout Movement, school sports clubs, therapeutic gymnastics, university departments, and the League of Nations. The aim of the paper is to discuss and evaluate the original achievements of Eugeniusz Piasecki – a Polish scholar, physician, polymath, role model, and a co-founder of physical culture sciences, who made invaluable contributions to the training of PE teachers and instructors and the development of school and extra-school sport movement.