case3
over 300 words
1/18/2021 ✏ Case:
Gore’s Flat Structure Works Well
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✏ Case: Gore’s Flat Structure Works Well
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Due Date: January 24
Goal and Purpose
The goal of this assignment is to analyze a type of organizational structure.
Directions
Read the following case (taken from Chapter 7 of our textbook). You are welcome and
encouraged to do additional research of your own.
Imagine an organization with more than 10,000 employees working in 30 countries around the world—
with no hierarchy structure. W. L. Gore & Associates, headquartered in Newark, Delaware, is a model of
unusual business practices. Wilbert Gore, who left Dupont to explore new uses for Teflon, started the
company in 1958. Best known for its breathable, weatherproof Gore-Tex fabric, Glide dental floss, and
Elixir guitar strings, the company has no bosses, no titles, no departments, and no formal job
descriptions. There is no managerial hierarchy at Gore, and top management treats employees, called
associates, as peers.
In 2005, the company named 22-year associate Terri Kelly as its new chief executive officer. Unlike large
public corporations, Gore’s announcement was made without much fanfare. Today, more than 12 years
later, Kelly continues as chief executive but is the first to admit that it’s not about the CEO at Gore—it’s
about the people who work there and their relationships with one another.
The company focuses on its products and company values rather than on individuals. Committees,
comprised of employees, make major decisions such as hiring, firing, and compensation. They even set
top executives’ compensation. Employees work on teams, which are switched around every few years.
In fact, all employees are expected to make minor decisions instead of relying on the “boss” to make
them. “We’re committed to how we get things done,” Kelly says. “That puts a tremendous burden on
leaders because it’s easier to say ‘Just do it’ than to explain the rationale. But in the long run, you’ll get
much better results because people are making a commitment.”
1/18/2021 ✏ Case: Gore’s Flat Structure Works Well
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Because no formal lines of authority exist, employees can speak to anyone in the company at any time.
This arrangement also forces employees to spend considerable time developing relationships. As one
employee described it, instead of trying to please just one “boss,” you have to please everyone. Several
years ago the company underwent a “strategy refresh,” conducting surveys and discussions with
employees about how they fit into the organization’s culture. Not surprisingly, there was a cultural divide
based on multiple generations of workers and length of service stature, which Kelly and her associates
have worked hard to overcome. She realizes that not everyone will become a “lifer” at Gore, but
recognizes the importance of younger employees who have helped the company become more tech-
savvy in communications and stay well-connected in a fast-moving business world.
The informal organizational structure continues to work well. With revenues of $3 billion, the company
produces thousands of advanced technology products for the electronics, industrial, fabrics, and medical
markets. Its corporate structure fosters innovation and has been a significant contributor to associate
satisfaction. Employee turnover is a low 3 percent a year, and the company can choose new associates
from the thousands of job applications it receives annually. In 2017, Gore was named one of the 12
legends on Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For.” These companies have made Fortune’s list for
all 20 years the magazine has published its annual “Best” rankings.
Submission Instructions
In the textbox, answer the following questions:
1. Given the lack of formal structure, how important do you think Gore’s informal structure becomes?
2. Is W. L. Gore a mechanistic or an organic organization? Support your answer with examples from the
case.
3. How do you think Gore’s flat organizational structure affects innovation at the company?
Grading and Feedback
Please view the rubric for a description of the grading and points. Please use proper spelling and
grammar. The total word count of your response should be at least 300 words (total, not per
question). You are welcome to write more if you choose.
Important Information on Turnitin:
This assignment uses Turnitin, a plagiarism checker that is integrated in CANVAS. You can find
information on submitting an assignment to Turnitin here.
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Gore’s Flat Structure Works Well
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Sources: “Our Story,” https://www.gore.com, accessed July 18, 2017; Jeremy Hobson, “What It’s Like to Lead a Non-Hierarchical Workplace,”
http://www.wbur.org, accessed July 18, 2017; Alan Deutschman, “The Un-CEO,” Fast Company, https://www.fastcompany.com, accessed July 18, 2017;
Claire Zillman, “Secrets from Best Companies All Stars,” Fortune, http://fortune.com, March 9, 2017; Daniel Roberts, “At W.L. Gore, 57 Years of Authentic
Culture,” Fortune, http://fortune.com, March 5, 2015.
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Total Points: 40
Criteria Ratings Pts
10 pts
10 pts
10 pts
10 pts
Informal Structure
Given the lack of formal structure,
how important do you think Gore’s
informal structure becomes?
10 pts
Full Points
The question was answered
in full with a detailed and
well-thought response.
5 pts
Partial Points
The question was
answered but could
use more detail.
0 pts
No Points
The
question
was not
answered.
Mechanistic or Organic Organization
Is W. L. Gore a mechanistic or an
organic organization? Support your
answer with examples from the
case.
10 pts
Full Points
The question was answered
in full with a detailed and
well-thought response.
5 pts
Partial Points
The question was
answered but could
use more detail.
0 pts
No Points
The
question
was not
answered.
Innovation
How do you think Gore’s flat
organizational structure affects
innovation at the company?
10 pts
Full Points
The question was answered
in full with a detailed and
well-thought response.
5 pts
Partial Points
The question was
answered but could
use more detail.
0 pts
No Points
The
question
was not
answered.
Spelling, Grammar, and Word Count 10 pts
Full Points
The assignment was at least
300 words (in total) with
correct spelling and
grammar.
0 pts
No Marks
The response was either under the
required word count and/or had
spelling and grammatical errors.