Competitive Strategy | Case Study

Running head: MANAGEMENT
Competitive strategy
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Table of Contents
1. Determining the distinctive features of WL Gore's organisation and management and also
how the approaches are based upon identifiable management principles..................................3
3. Evaluation the benefits or advantages and the disadvantages of WL Gore and Associates
Company to the management of the organisation, enable motivation of employees and
promote innovation and creativity.............................................................................................4
4. WL Gore approach to management that has to be transferred to other companies...............7
Recommendations......................................................................................................................8
References................................................................................................................................10

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Case B: WL GORE & ASSOCIATES - Rethinking Management, Motivation &
Innovation
1. Determining the distinctive features of WL Gore's organisation and management and
also how the approaches are based upon identifiable management principles
The most important distinctive feature of the management system at WL Gore is the
ability to create and innovate while at the same time, increase the willingness to manage
engagement of employees within the organisation. Though most of the management and
structure of a company represents the values and beliefs of the organisation, still it has kept
on defying the policies and principles of management. These are needed to be followed by
most of the organisations to ensure managing the size and complexity of the organisation
notably (Rothaermel 2017). Due to the approaches based on the identifiable management
principles, the company, i.e., WL Gore and Associates has managed to define the potential
for Teflon as well as created convenience in a wide range of filtration applications too. The
organisation structure, also known as the lattice system also helped in enhancing the overall
integrity. This would allow for emphasis on communication management along with the
management of better cooperation, which also encouraged to make decisions by the leader or
manager of the organisation rather than much consultation with the employees. This might be
wrong as it could cause damage to the organisation’s performance while at the same time,
make sure that there were no titles or someone who bosses around and place commands
(Harder and Townsend 2017). The management and structure system also enabled the
company to provide wages to the employees based on their level of contribution while at the
same time, make them handle more roles and responsibilities. It could also help in promoting
better learning and acqusitions of knowledge require to be creative and innovative all
throughout. This would raise the overall potential of the organisation. Considering the
principles of management, the company followed a hierarchy, which allows for adopting the

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Taylor’s scientific management theory and also the principles of bureaucracy. Based on this
theory, either the employees are motivated on the basis of money they receive or by other
rewards and benefits to perform to their potential. Sometimes, they have also been self-
motivated and remain interested in resolving issues and problems to work together,
collaboratively, for solving issues, in coordination and as an unit (Sebastian et al. 2018).
Another major differentiable feature of the organization and its management style is
that it has been based on the limits of organisational size, due to which, the interpersonal trust
and loyalty could form. This could also allow for better engagement of workers and working
together in a collaborative manner for enhancing the overall organisational performance too.
Due to the inclusion of various components of hierarchy, it has also become much easier for
WL Gore and Associates to manage multiple divisions together and represent those with the
help of a responsible leader. The leaders would be able to manage each one of these business
units individually and become specialised to promote companywide functions as well as
manage better human resources and information technology (Al-Ali et al. 2017). But, this
might sometimes lead to certain issues like lacking in enough sets of positions, skills and
ranks and also failing to adapt to different situations. This has been beneficial for matching
the skills, knowledge and expertise level. The lattice system has also favoured the
organisational functioning by establishing good relationships between teams. It has also
allowed to make people connect with each other and acquire natural ways or organising,
thereby, fostered the development of an efficient and collaborative culture where teamwork
and coordination could be promoted at WL Gore and Associates Company.