The HWWI's scientific activities are supported by its Scientific Board. The Institute's management is advised and supported by its Board of Trustees, which also includes the Scientific Board.  

The Scientific Board supports and advises the HWWI in all its scientific activities. It comprises four economists who work in the university sector. These are:

• Prof. Hans-Helmuth Kotz, Goethe-University Frankfurt
• Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Maennig, University of Hamburg
• Prof. Dr. sc. pol. Wolf Schäfer, Helmut-Schmidt University
• Prof. Dr. Thusnelda Tivig, University of Rostock

The Board of Trustees of the HWWI, which is also a member of the Scientific Board, advises the management of the HWWI on the strategic orientation of the institute, advising and working on the acquisition of resources for fulfilling the business objectives, and is simultaneously a committee for establishing and maintaining contact with people and institutions which and who are willing to promote the interests of society.

The Board of Trustees of the HWWI combines the talents of eight individuals – predominantly from Northern Germany – from the fields of business, science or the public sector and who thus unify and anchor the HWWI, with a particular focus on the metropolitan region of Hamburg:

• Dr. Jens Peter Breitengroß, Hamburg Chamber of Commerce
• Dr. Hans-Walter Peters, Joh. Berenberg, Gossler & Co. KG
• Prof. Dr. Norbert Klusen, Techniker Krankenkasse
• Prof. Hans-Helmuth Kotz, Goethe-University of Frankfurt 
• Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Maennig, University of Hamburg
• Prof. Dr. sc. pol. Wolf Schäfer, Helmut-Schmidt University
• Prof. Dr. Thusnelda Tivig, Universiy of Rostock
• Jörg Wohlers, Hamburger Sparkasse