The Role of Regional Technology Observatories in the Creation of a Regional Knowledge Management System

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34190/eckm.26.1.3830

Keywords:

knowledge management system, regional development, technology, technology assessment

Abstract

The main purpose of this article is to present the concept of a regional knowledge management system (RKMS) and the role of regional technology observatories in creating such a system. The commencement of conceptual work on an RKMS results from the need to practically embed the functioning of regional technology observatories in the Silesian Voivodeship in the broader context of managing the development of the region. The formal role of regional technology observatories in the Silesian Voivodeship in shaping the RKMS can be indicated since 2013, when the Network of Regional Specialist Observatories (NSRO) was established. The method used in the article was case study. Based on analyses of the literature, the characteristics of RKMS were identified and then, using data from 2010 to 2024, the NRSO was described and the characteristics of RKMS that NSRO met were identified. The article identifies the directions of development of RKMS and indicates the conditions favourable to endogenously rooted specialisations in the region, which have development potential in a global perspective. As an example of the scope of knowledge acquired by observatories, the results of research in the materials production and processing sector regarding innovation management and business models in this sector were presented. The example uses a quantitative analysis in which data was collected during direct surveys of companies. The research sample covered n=50 companies in the manufacturing and materials processing sector.

Author Biographies

Sławomir Olko, Silesian University of Technology

Sławomir Olko, PhD, DSc. – asociate profesor at the Silesian University of Technology, Faculty of Organization and Management. Head of Management Department and Deputy Dean for Organization and Infrastructure at the Organization and Management Faculty. Expert in innovation management and innovation strategy, innovation network, interogranizational relationship management, knowledge management. Author of more than 100 scientific publications in the area of management. Trainer, expert and evaluator in international programs (Central Europe, Interreg). Project manager of two research and develpment projects on interogranizational management.

Anna Horzela-Miś, Silesian University of Technology

Anna Horzela-Miś is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Management, Faculty of Organization and Management, Silesian University of Technology. Her research focuses on strategic management, CSR, and cluster development. She has authored numerous articles and a monograph and presented at national and international conferences. She actively manages scientific projects. She is also involved in scientific projects and serves as Secretary of the Editorial Board of the journal Organization and Management.

Lilla Knop, Silesian University of Technology

Lilla Knop – PhD, university professor at the Silesian University of Technology, Faculty of Organization and Management. Her research interests cover the areas of strategic and innovation management, cluster and network management, business ecosystems. She is a member of the Silesian Innovation Council, the Technology Observatory: Material Technologies and the Main Board of the Scientific Society of Organization and Management. Since 2004 is a member of the group of experts preparing the Regional Innovation Strategy of the Silesia Voivodeship and Technology Development Program.   Consultant and author of strategies and restructuring plans of industrial and public organizations in Poland. Author of more than 100 publications on management, innovation and strategy.

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Published

2025-08-29

Issue

Vol. 26 No. 1 (2025): Proceedings of the 26th European Conference on Knowledge Management VOL 1

Section

Academic Papers

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Copyright (c) 2025 European Conference on Knowledge Management

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