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

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.