Chapter 8 Case

W.L. Gore's Culture Promotes Employee Satisfaction, Innovation, and Retention

Apply the knowledge of Management presented in this chapter to the following case. Applying this knowledge should enable you to have a better understanding of W.L. Gore's company culture. Read the case below and answer the questions on the right.

Based on the competing values framework (Figure 8.2), W.L. Gore has a(n) ____________ based culture.

Clan-

Based on the case, W.L. Gore has a ______________ organizational structure.

Horizontal

Bill Gore wanted to start a company that was free from bureaucracy and a command and control style of leadership. He felt that this was the best way to foster creativity, engagement, and innovation. What type of organizational design fits best with this view?

Organic

Bill Gore believed in keeping operational facilities small due to his focus on high quality interpersonal relationships, and as such, the company splits up people at a facility once it reaches a certain size by creating a new location. Which level of organizational culture does this describe?

observable artifacts

At W.L. Gore, associates have sponsors whose goal is to help them succeed. Moreover, sponsors help associates chart a course in the organization that will offer personal fulfillment while maximizing their contribution to the enterprise. Which of the twelve ways to embed organizational culture does this most closely align with?

role modeling, training, and coaching