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Integrating Culture and Diversity

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Integrating Culture and Diversity in Decision Making:
The CEO and Organizational Culture Profile
Trinna Filbert
Dr. Elizabeth Delone
BUS 520
May 8, 2014

W. L. Gore and Associates is a company founded in 1958 by Bill and Vieve Gore. It is an inventive technology enterprise who works to discover innovative products. Numerous products from GORE-TEX fabric, cable wiring, electronics, medical devices, pharmaceutical, tubing, and sealants. The organization is referred to as a team-based and flat lattice organization. There is no chain of command; employees are referred to as associates. Associates and Professional staff are free to speak to one another in their multi-disciplined team. It provided electrical products until the discovery of polymer fabric that is now used as a basis for all the products in the medical and industrial markets. There are four practices the Gore utilizes to hire such associates. The associates networks various self organized groups such as Native American, Asia, Latino-Hispanic, LGBT, physically challenged, veterans, African-American, female associates and white male.
Next is their recruiting strategy. The company targets certain universities, career fields and organizations. They choose the brightest and the best. The internet in addition to diverse publications and firms are also tools for finding quality.
Third is diverse awareness. All associates are given the opportunity for growth and advancement in the company. They are encouraged to challenge themselves and be rewarded for their growth. They will have sponsors to assist with the development of diversity related programs. If they choose they may change their sponsors.
And finally, associates are valuable assets and they strive to provide flexibility and balance between life and work. Training is provided internally and externally. Flexible hours are offered. Benefits are extended to domestic partners. Childcare and adoptive assistance recourses

are also available. After the first year staff is given stock ownership so they have a connection in the success of the organization. With all the company does for their associates there is a minimal turnover rate in employment.
Effective management is the type of leadership for this kind of organization. This is the type of quality and quantity of work or services provided and agreed on by the team. People who become leaders have earned it by gaining the respect of the other associates and choose to follow them.
“Gore has repeatedly ranked top of the 100 Best Companies to Work For listing, coming first four years in a row. In a 2009 survey 84 percent of staff felt they could make a difference and 86 percent that they could give a valuable contribution towards the success of the company; 84 percent loved their work; and 87 percent were proud to work for the organization. More than a quarter said they had fun with colleagues and thought teams cared about each other while 80 percent did not feel under pressure to perform” (Nielson, 2010).
Imagine that one of the plants has a decrease in demand for automotive vents. Sales have continued to drop due to inflation and undercut by the competitor. Profits decrease by thirty percent. A survey is conducted with all the customers and it is discovered that there has been an increase in seal failure in some of the vents. A recall is done on remaining vents and the team analyses what has gone wrong and what needs to improve to repair the problem.
At this point they not only need to fix the product but renew their reputation with their customers. The culture switches to a long term / short term orientation until which time they can return to an individual/collective culture. Leadership remains the same, working as a team.

The company has facilities located worldwide in China, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, and in the United States. Countries outside the United States want the same. They want to be recognized for their ideas and contributions. On April 28, 2014 there is a new product to be showcased in Germany that is an improvement on vents currently used today. They allow the container to release fumes without leaking. This is made from the same type of membrane Gore uses in their medical and industrial fabric used today. The team takes the credit for products and ideas and not the individual. The culture of the company is much diversified. Gore is a fine example of the individualism/collectivism culture. New and original ideas are welcomed by all staff and associates. Associates are hired for their talents and there are no job titles. Everyone is treated the same. This is critical to their success.

References

Angeli, E., Wagner, J., Lawrick, E., Moore, K., Anderson, M., Soderland, L., & Brizee, A. (2010, May 5). General format. Retrieved from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01
Nielson,T., General format. Director Magazine. W. L. Gore. February 2010. www.director.co.uk/magazine/2010/2_Feb/WLGORE_63_06.html
Schermerhorn, Osborn, Uhl-Bien, Hunt. Organizational behavior. Twelfth edition, 11, 40, 42-46, 62-63, 67-70.

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