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1/18/2021 ✏ Case: Gore’s Flat Structure Works Well

https://canvas.pasadena.edu/courses/1110975/assignments/8648709?module_item_id=12600761 1/4

✏ Case: Gore’s Flat Structure Works Well

Due Sunday by 11:59pm Points 40 Submitting a text entry box Available until Feb 10 at 11:59pm

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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

https://canvas.pasadena.edu/courses/1110975/assignments/8648709?module_item_id=12600761 2/4

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. (https://help.turnitin.com/integrity/student/canvas/assignments/submitting-an-assignment.htm)

1/18/2021 ✏ Case: Gore’s Flat Structure Works Well

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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.

1/18/2021 ✏ Case: Gore’s Flat Structure Works Well

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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.