Female Communities of Practice in Innovation-Promoting Environments: Co-creation, Trust, and Internationalization
Keywords:
Communities of Practice, Collaborative Learning, Female Entrepreneurship, Absorptive Capacity, InternationalizationAbstract
In the face of the challenges encountered in coordinating and promoting innovation within Brazilian environments, Communities of Practice (CoPs) emerge as strategic venues for knowledge exchange and collaborative value creation. This study examines how collaborative learning in CoPs led by women strengthens innovation ecosystems in Paraná by focusing on (i) the building of mutual trust, (ii) the co-creation of technological solutions, and (iii) access to mentoring networks and internationalization. Through informal conversations with nine participants across three Innovation Promoting Environments (APIs), a qualitative exploratory approach was adopted alongside thematic content analysis, combining personal testimonies, institutional documents, and field observations. The results indicate that implementing structured onboarding rituals and collaborative methods—such as cycles based on the Double Diamond concept—not only significantly accelerates the prototyping process but also strengthens participants’ collective repertoires. Moreover, partnerships with international organizations substantially enhance absorptive capacity and the global reach of entrepreneurial initiatives. Based on these findings, practical recommendations are offered for incubators and technology parks, including trust-building ceremonies, specialist facilitators, and hybrid interaction strategies to amplify creativity and women’s inclusion.
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