Tools and practices for the product innovation process in the company´s network

In this paper we present a methodology that proposes the application of social network analysis techniques for the set up of communities of practice within a group of companies. These communities are promoted by the group in order to push the innovation product process among the companies, taking advantage of complementarities and synergies owned in the group. By focusing in specific product aspects, the methodology allows selecting the most suitable actors and collaborative ITC tools for a successful induced community; furthermore, it could assist in the task of defining specific practices for maintaining these communities alive.