The University of Stuttgart is one of Germany's leading technical universities with a strong focus on engineering sciences. The »Institut für Arbeitswissenschaft und Technologiemanagement IAT« (Institute of Human Factors and Technology Management) represents within the University of Stuttgart the fields of technology management and industrial engineering, in particular information and communication technology, organizational design and human resource management.

IAT supports companies in identifying relevant technologies and in developing appropriate technological strategies taking into account their competencies, their competitive environment and their market situation. The institute plans organizational and technical structures that are future-oriented and meet company requirements as well as human needs.

IAT is working in close co-operation with the Fraunhofer Institute of Industrial Engineering IAO - the competencies and resources of Fraunhofer IAO can be used by IAT and vice versa. Both institutes are headed by Professor Dieter Spath. They are staffed with approximately 260 permanent scientific and technical employees and are involved in more than 400 research and consultancy projects per annum.

Fraunhofer IAO and IAT participate in public research programmes funded by the European Union, the German department of research and the government of the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg. Moreover, Fraunhofer IAO and IAT obtain 50 percent of their income from research contracts and projects awarded to them by enterprises in the industrial and service sector.