Oganizational Behavior from Group Bkr

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Identified Strengths in W.L. Gore & Associates’’ Approach 2

Identified Weaknesses in W.L. Gore & Associates’’ Approach 5

Organizations Who Differ from W.L. Gore & Associates’ Approach 6

Conclusion 8

References 9

Introduction

Organizations have thrived, grown and succeeded using the structured corporate hierarchy. For years, a structured hierarchy has been considered the “norm” within many industries. However, companies have changed since the beginning of the industrial age, and their employee base has changed as well (Daft, 2010). Organizations have become aware of other types of organizational structures that are not hierarchical. One organization that does not use this hierarchy is W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. The lattice organization structure has been quite successful for W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.; and has some uniqueness to it. This report will provide information describing the strengths, weaknesses of a lattice approach. In addition, examples of types of organizations where the lattice approach will not be as effective have been provided.

Benko and Anderson state, “The workplace has changed in many ways. CEO span of management has increased 200% while organizational layers have contracted by 25 percent, limiting options to move up. Options for when, where and even how work is done is expanding: More than 20 percent of U.S. employees no longer go to a traditional office space each day” (Benko & Anderson, 2010, p. 35). An overwhelming level of structural change has swept through the corporate world. Organizations have been forced to adapt and overcome by incorporating an organizational structure that is capable of keeping up with how work gets done today. That capability has come by way of The Corporate Lattice (Daft, 2010). According to W.L. Gore, the structure within a lattice organization is complex and evolves from interpersonal interactions, self-commitment to group-known responsibilities, natural...