Research and development: socioeconomically and scientifically based

Fraunhofer IMW looks back on more than fifteen years of applied socio-economic research and experience in Leipzig. About 236 employees from fourteen countries support customers and partners from business, industry, politics, research and society in using globalization, digitization and structural change as a motor for innovation. The interdisciplinary research team at the Leipzig site and, since 2020, also at the Center for Economics and Management of Technologies in Halle (Saale) accompanies companies, organizations, institutions, states, municipalities and regions with international projects, network activities and analyses scientifically based on strategic decision-making processes. Originally founded as the Fraunhofer Center for Central and Eastern Europe MOEZ in 2006, the content-related and strategic reorientation of the institute, which is certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015, has been reflected in its new name, Fraunhofer Center for International Management and Knowledge Economy IMW, since 2016. The institute's competencies are digital value creation, innovation research, structural change, knowledge and technology transfer and corporate development in international competition.

Fraunhofer IMW Research Divisions at a glance

Division Head: Dr. Daniela Pufky-Heinrich

Economics of Technology and Management

The scientists in the division are investigating the challenges of the double transformation. Using a combination of empirical research methods and mathematical, process engineering and economic simulation models, they map value creation paths and transformation scenarios and can evaluate them quantitatively.

Division Head: Dr. Friedrich Dornbusch

Regional Development and Innovation Policy

The scientists of the division analyze, evaluate and develop instruments for the design of regional transformation processes and innovation policy interventions. Based on current scientific methods and findings, they support customers and partners from politics, science, society and business in the strategic planning and design of their future cooperation, transfer and funding activities.

Division Head: Annegret Seehafer

Corporate Development in International Competition

The scientists of the division are strategic partners of German and European companies. The economically driven market services bundled in this division are developed for companies that have to meet special requirements in the course of internationalization processes.

Division Head: Dr. Steffen Preissler

Knowledge and Technology Transfer

The scientists in the division evaluate transfer objects in terms of technology, market and financing options. They align the supply and demand for knowledge, technologies and capital. Furthermore, they optimize cooperations with public research and development partners. The team also strengthens future competence for strategic decision-making.

Your contact persons:

Thorsten Posselt

Contact Press / Media

Prof. Dr. Thorsten Posselt

Executive Director

Fraunhofer Center for International Management and Knowledge Economy IMW
Martin-Luther-Ring 13
04109 Leipzig, Germany

Phone +49 341 231039-100

Fax +49 341 231039-190

Steffen Preissler

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Dr. rer. pol. Steffen Preissler

Deputy Institute Director, Head of Knowledge and Technology Transfer Division

Fraunhofer Center for International Management and Knowledge Economy IMW
Martin-Luther-Ring 13
04109 Leipzig, Germany

Phone +49 341 231039-121

Fax +49 341 231039-9121

Daniela Pufky-Heinrich

Contact Press / Media

Dr. Daniela Pufky-Heinrich

Head of Economics of Technology and Management Division, Head of Center for Economics of Materials and Management of Technologies CEM

Fraunhofer Center for International Management and Knowledge Economy IMW
Leipziger Straße 70/71, 06108 Halle (Saale)
Martin-Luther-Ring 13 04109 Leipzig, Germany

Phone +49 345 131886-0 (Halle/Saale) Telefon +49 341 231039-520 (Leipzig)

Fax +49 341 231039-9520 (Leipzig)

Annegret Seehafer

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Annegret Seehafer

Head of Corporate Development in International Competition Division, temporary Head of Business Models: Engineering and Innovation Unit

Fraunhofer Center for International Management and Knowledge Economy IMW
Martin-Luther-Ring 13
04109 Leipzig, Germany

Phone +49 341 231039-222

Fax +49 341 231039-9222

Friedrich Dornbusch

Contact Press / Media

Dr. Friedrich Dornbusch

Head of Regional Development and Innovation Policy Division, temporary Head of Innovation Policy and Transfer Design Unit

Fraunhofer Center for International Management and Knowledge Economy IMW
Martin-Luther-Ring 13
04109 Leipzig, Germany

Phone +49 341 231039-401

Fax +49 341 231039-9401

Aron Geißler

Contact Press / Media

Aron Geißler

Head of Administration

Fraunhofer Center for International Management and Knowledge Economy IMW
Martin-Luther-Ring 13
04109 Leipzig, Germany

Phone +49 341 231039-109

Fax +49 341 231039-9109

Key Figures

The scientists at Fraunhofer IMW research and develop strategies, structures, processes and instruments

  • to facilitate knowledge and technology transfer between organizations
  • to convert knowledge into innovative products and services
  • to develop the right environment for innovation and knowledge transfer

In this process, they aim for ecologically and socially balanced and economically viable solutions with a global perspective.

 

  • Founded: 2006
  • Locations: Leipzig and Halle (Saale)
  • Permanent staff: 128 employees according to TvÖD (status: 2022)
  • Development of projects: 106 projects per year, of which 1/3 are industrial projects (status: 2022)
  • Expertise: Economics, political and social sciences
  • Language skills: besides English, French and Spanish - Arabic, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Estonian, Hindi, Italian, Croatian, Persian, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Tamil, Czech, Tunisian, Ukrainian, Hungarian and Belarusian
Examples of tasks of Fraunhofer IMW:
  • International country, industry or technology rankings
  • Country or region-specific inventory analyses
  • Location and impact analyses
  • Market Research and Benchmarking
  • Research projects, studies and strategies for
    - Innovation transfer and management
    - Clusters and networks
    - Corporate development and internationalization
    - Research and Development (R&D)
  • Feasibility and foresight studies
  • Monitoring of research institutions, national and international

Number of employees

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Development of ongoing projects

Number of projects by client

Earnings per client type

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