Case 7

W. L. Gore and Association Case Study

Q1. What theories from this chapter are revealed through the case?

Bill Gore the founder W.L. Gore and Associates develop inside a company a organizational structure as a “lattice organization” based on the follow feature:

- Direct lines of communications – person to person with no intermediary

- No fixed or assigned authority

- Sponsors, not bosses

- Natural leadership as evidenced by the willingness of others to follow

- Objects set by those who must “make them happen”

- Tasks and functions organized through commitments

- Complete avoidance of the hierarchical command and control structure

Due this fact in this case the theory which is revealed is “Dyadic Theory”

The vertical dyadic linkage (VDL) theory examines how leaders form one-on-one relationships with followers. This theory was revealed in the W. L. Gore & Associates case given their sponsor program where they assign a sponsor to each associate. This gives each associate a chance to have a one-on-one relationship with at least 3 leaders in the company since each associate has a starting sponsor, an advocate sponsor and a compensation sponsor. Each has its own specific purpose and has kept the voluntary turnover to a very low.

Q2. How did Gore’s “sponsors” program facilitate the creation of high-quality relationships among leaders, sponsors and associates?

In W.L. Gore & Associates the sponsor program is dyadic relationship between an incumbent (experienced employee) and new hired employee. Because in this program the sponsor act like a mentor, coach and advocate between for new hired employee this situation create a interpersonal relations based on friendship, in this way all people which work for W.L. Gore become a group of friends.

The sponsors program forced leaders, sponsors and associates to form relationships and to work together on a regular basis not just to complete a task but to help each other to learn and grow within the...