The Business Unit Futures Research and Foresight systematically explores how to cope with the future and the options offered. In order to be able to meet the coming challenges and develop workable strategies, firms, public organizations and policy-makers need a sound information base for the decision-making process. Coordinator of Business Unit is Dr. Jonathan Köhler.

As the innovation process is becoming increasingly complex and project and network activities of companies are continually growing, future-oriented thinking and technological competence is crucial for the success of innovations. Therefore new methods for a holistic innovation management are needed, which are being researched by the Business Unit Management of Innovations and Technologies. Coordinator of Business Unit is Dr.-Ing. Ralph Seitz.

Materials are the enabler for many emerging technologies. The Business Unit Strategies for Material Technologies explores the development of user-oriented strategies for the use of materials and material technologies between the two poles of new possibilities for application and innovative material developments. Coordinator of Business Unit is Dr.-Ing. Ralph Seitz.