...Week5 : For all groups: W L Gore Associates Case study: Gore-Tex® and W.L. Gore & Associates: An innovative company and a contemporary culture[1] This case study explores the role of organisational management and culture within a very innovative firm, which is responsible for some very well known products such as the famous Gore-Tex fabric, and yet few people know very much about this remarkable organisation. It is operated in a similar way to that of a cooperative such as the John Lewis Partnership in the United Kingdom, where the employees are also owners. In addition the organisation seeks to minimise management with the emphasis on action and creativity. Today this enigmatic firm employs approximately 7,000 people in more than 45 plants and sales locations world-wide. Manufacturing operations are clustered in the United States, Germany, Scotland, Japan and China. Proprietary technologies with the versatile polymer polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) have resulted in numerous products for electronic signal transmission; fabrics laminates; medical implants; as well as membrane, filtration, sealant and fibres technologies for a range of different industries. Today the organisation divides its products into four main groupings: medical products; fabric products; electronic products; and industrial products. Gore has approximately 650 US patents and thousands world-wide. Further details of these can be found by visiting the US Patent & Trademark office website at www.uspto.gov. ...
Words: 3092 - Pages: 13
...Week 2 The business context 1. Porter’s Five Forces Where does the power lie? How do I maximise my power and leverage? How do I identify and minimise my weaknesses? The threat of new entrants, bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of buyers, threat of substitute products or services and rivalry among existing competitors 2. Porter’s Generic Strategies How do I gain a competitive advantage in business? What strategies will help me achieve my goals? 3.1 The Cost Leadership Strategy 3.2.1 Increase profits by reducing costs 3.2.2 Industry-average prices 3.2.3 Increasing market share 3.2.4 Low costs mean greater profit You will need: 3.2.5 Strong control over Cost of Labour 3.2.6 Preferential access to raw materials, components etc. 3.2.7 Take advantage of economies of scale 3.2.8 Easy access to supply chains and affordable logistics 3.2 The Differentiation Strategy 3.3.9 Create a product that is perceived as unique 3.3.10 Brand Loyalty 3.3.11 Can provide better insulation from competition You will need: 2.2.4 Strong R&D 2.2.5 Creativity 2.2.6 Unique Marketing Strategy 2.2.7 Innovate to stay ahead of the competition 2.3 Focus Strategy 2.3.1 Focus on niche markets 2.3.2 Unique understanding of the market 2.3.3 Either cost leadership or differentiation You will need: 2.3.4 Unique/specific insight into the market 2.3.5 Knowledge of suppliers and specialists...
Words: 9448 - Pages: 38