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LAWSON C. and LORENZ E. (1999) Collective learning, tacit knowledge and regional innovative capacity, Reg. Studies 33 , 305-317 . The paper reviews key ideas in the firm capabilities literature and shows how they can be usefully extended to develop a conception of collective learning among regionally clustered enterprises. The paper also explores the relationship between codifiable and tacit knowledge in the innovation process, and investigates the claim that tacit knowledge, because it is difficult to transfer in the absence of labour mobility, may constitute a basis for sustained regional competitive advantage. The closing section uses case study material based on Minneapolis and Cambridge to illustrate the importance for innovation of a regional capability for combining and integrating diverse knowledge, and of the sources of such capabilities as pre-conditions for successful high technology regions. LAWSON C. et LORENZ E. (1999) L'apprentissage collectif, la connaissance implicite et la capacite regionale a innover, Reg. Studies 33 , 305-317 . Puisant dans la documentation qui traite des competences de l'entreprise, l'article fait la critique des idees cle et montre comment on peut les elargir afin de developper une conception de l'apprentissage collectif parmi des entreprises regroupees sur le plan regional. L'article examine aussi le rapport entre les connaissances explicite et implicite dans le processus d'innovation, et cherche a verifier l'affirmation que la connaissance puisse servir de base a l'avantage competitif regional soutenu, parce qu'il s'avere difficile de la transferer, faute de mobilite de la maind'oeuvre. A partir des etudes de cas de Minneapolis et de Cambridge, la derniere partie montre l'importance pour l'innovation de la capacite regionale a combiner et a integrer des connaissances diverses, et des origines de telles competences comme prealables a la reussite des regions a la pointe de la technologie. LAWSON C. und LORENZ E. (1999) Kollektives Lernen, selbstversta �ndliche Kenntnisse und regionale innovative Leistungsfa �higkeit, Reg. Studies 33 , 305-317 . Dieser Aufsatz bespricht Grundgedanken derLiteraturzurLeistungsfa �higkeit von Firmen, und zeigt, wie sie nutzbringend ausgeweitet werden ko �nnen, um ein Konzept kollektiven Lernens unter regional geklusterten Unternehmen zu entwickeln. Der Aufsatz erforscht auch die Beziehung zwischen kodifizierbarem und als selstversta �ndlich hingenommenem Wissen im Innovationsprozess und untersucht die Behauptung, dass als selbstversta �ndlich hingenommenes, weil ohne Arbeitsplatzwechselschwer zu u �bertragendes Wissen eineGrundlage fu �r dauerhaften regionalen Wettbewerbsvorteil darstellen ko �nnte. Zum Abschluss wird Fallstudienmaterial von Minneapolis und Cambridge dazu benutzt, die Bedeutung einer regionalen Fa �higkeit zurKombination und Integration unterschiedlichen Wissens fu �r die Innovation, und den Quellen solcher Fa �higkeiten als Voraussetzung fu �r erfolgreiche, hoch technisiertete Regionen zu erla �utern.Collective Learning, Tacit ...

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ObjectivesDichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) was used worldwide until the 1970s, when concerns about its toxic effects, its environmental persistence, and its concentration in the food supply led to use restrictions and prohibitions. In 2001, more than 100 countries signed the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), committing to eliminate the use of 12 POPs of greatest concern. However, DDT use was allowed for disease vector control. In 2006, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Agency for International Development endorsed indoor DDT spraying to control malaria. To better inform current policy, we reviewed epidemiologic studies published from 2003 to 2008 that investigated the human health consequences of DDT and/or DDE (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene) exposure.Data sources and extractionWe conducted a PubMed search in October 2008 and retrieved 494 studies.Data synthesisUse restrictions have been successful in lowering human exposure to DDT, but blood concentrations of DDT and DDE are high in countries where DDT is currently being used or was more recently restricted. The recent literature shows a growing body of evidence that exposure to DDT and its breakdown product DDE may be associated with adverse health outcomes such as breast cancer, diabetes, decreased semen quality, spontaneous abortion, and impaired neurodevelopment in children.ConclusionsAlthough we provide evidence to suggest that DDT and DDE may pose a risk to human health, we also highlight the lack of knowledge about human exposure and health effects in communities where DDT is currently being sprayed for malaria control. We recommend research to address this gap and to develop safe and effective alternatives to DDT.

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