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- W. L. Gore & Associates is a company without titles, hierarchy, or any of the conventional structures associated with enterprises of its size. The titles of president and secretary-treasurer are used only because they are required by the laws of incorporation. In addition, Gore does not have a corporate wide mission or code of ethics statement, although Gore does not require or prohibit business units from developing such statements for themselves. Thus, the Associates of some business units who have felt a need for such statements have developed them for themselves. The majority of business units within Gore do not have such statements. When questioned about this issue, one Associate stated, “The company belief is that (1) its four basic operating principles cover ethical practices required of people in business; and (2) it will not tolerate illegal practices.” Gore’s management style has been referred to as un-management.