No Bosses at W.L. Gore and Associates

Michael Kelly

MT302 Organizational Behavior

Unit Nine: Case Incident 2

No bosses at W.L. Gore & Associates

July 13, 2009

1. How would you characterize Gore’s organizational structure using terms from this chapter? For example, is it mechanistic or organic? How might this structure influence Gore’s strategy?

Gore’s organizational structure is formalization. Formalization is described as jobs within the organization is standardized this works for Gore’s strategy because he believed that to much hierarchy and bureaucracy stifled creativity and adaptation.

2. Considering what you know about individual differences such as personality, what types of employees might respond more or less favorably to Gore’s lack of hierarchy?

A person who has a Type a personality wouldn’t like working without structure. They are usually very competitive, impatient, and are always aware of the time and how little of it they have to spare. A person who has very good interpersonal skills would work for Gore. They are generally good with communication, reduce conflict and they often are very good at obtaining information and completing tasks.

3. What are some advantages and disadvantages of Gore’s structure from a company perspective? What about from an employee perspective?

The advantages are everyone works as a team, sharing different ideas. The disadvantage is you answer to anyone. You don’t know who the boss is. From the employee’s perspective, they may feel bewildered from the lack of formal hierarchy.

4. How might Gore’s organizational design affect its relationships with external companies that are more hierarchical in nature?.

Gore’s organizational design may not affect other external companies because if there was a problem with anything they can ask anyone in the company and they will have the same answer.

References