The Institute of Technology Management was founded in 1989 with the support of the "Foundation for the Promotion of Technology Management, Technology Policy and Technology Transfer". The institute operates a research program, focussing predominantly on the development of problem and application orientated research concepts. The institute uses the "St.Gallen Management Concept" as a holistic reference framework. The research program has been continuously improved since its establishment. The institute maintains close links to industry through intense collaboration with Swiss and European organisations by means of major research and consulting projects. Research results from publications and theses flow directly into courses while students can develop real world research through collaboration in the institute’s industry projects.