Due to fears that public-run units might take control and not let the institute have sufficient vitality, Sun created the ITRI in the form of a private foundation, drawing the directors from both the heads of the ministries of economics and finance and from the private sector.
由於擔心公營單位層層管制、做事不夠靈活積極，因此孫部長力主工研院為財團法人型態，由政府財經部會的首長和民間工商業界領袖共同擔任董監事。