SlideShare une entreprise Scribd logo
1  sur  12
Quality CirclesQuality Circles
What is a Quality Circle?What is a Quality Circle?
Voluntary groups of employees who work on
similar tasks or share an area of responsibility
They agree to meet on a regular basis to
discuss & solve problems related to work.
They operate on the principle that employee
participation in decision-making and problem-
solving improves the quality of work
How Do Quality Circles Work?How Do Quality Circles Work?
Characteristics
◦ Volunteers
◦ Set Rules and Priorities
◦ Decisions made by Consensus
◦ Use of organized approaches to Problem-
Solving
How Do Quality Circles Work?How Do Quality Circles Work?
All members of a Circle need to receive
training
Members need to be empowered
Members need to have the support of
Senior Management
How Can They be Used in anHow Can They be Used in an
Organization?Organization?
Increase Productivity
Improve Quality
Boost Employee Morale
Objectives of Quality CirclesObjectives of Quality Circles
Promote job involvement
Create problem solving capability
Improve communication
Promote leadership qualities
Enhance quality
Inspire more effective team work
Build an attitude of problem prevention
Promote cost reduction
Improve productivity
Reduce downtime of machines and equipment
Increase employee motivation
Problems with Quality CirclesProblems with Quality Circles
Inadequate Training
Unsure of Purpose
Not truly Voluntary
Lack of Management Interest
Quality Circles are not really empowered
to make decisions.
Summary of History and PracticesSummary of History and Practices
Quality Circles were first seen in the
United States in the 1950’s
Circles were developed by Dr, Kaoru
Ishikawa in Japan in the 1960’s
Circles were re-exported to the US in
the early 1970’s
Summary of History and PracticesSummary of History and Practices
1980’s brought Total Quality
Management and a reduction in the use of
Quality Circles
Quality Circles can be a useful tool if
used properly
Quality Circles (India)Quality Circles (India)
 1980: BHEL, Hyderabad first in India to start Quality
Circles
 1982: Quality Circle Forum of India (QCFI) was
founded
 1983: Tata Motors (formerly Telco) started Quality
Circles, by 1985 they had more than 400 Circles
 1985: BHEL had 1411 Circles covering around 13362
members
Real World ExampleReal World Example
The case of Tata steels
 Tata Steels, a world leader in the steel industry started its
QC journey way back in 1990 with a negligible number of
Quality Circles.
 As per the recent statistics, the number of quality circles
operating in Tata Steel has risen to over 7500.
 It proudly declares that more than 96% of its employees are
involved in this quality movement.
 To their credit Quality Circles have solved 14000 problems
by themselves, which benefited the company not only in
terms of quality improvement but also in terms of
productivity, cost, and safety.
Quality Circles,HR, MBA, Organization,

Contenu connexe

Tendances

Hr newspapers - ht - employee engagement activities in hindustan times
Hr   newspapers - ht - employee engagement activities in hindustan timesHr   newspapers - ht - employee engagement activities in hindustan times
Hr newspapers - ht - employee engagement activities in hindustan times
Shanky Sharma
 
Managerial associations
Managerial associationsManagerial associations
Managerial associations
ashap123
 

Tendances (20)

Collective bargaining case study
Collective bargaining case studyCollective bargaining case study
Collective bargaining case study
 
A Study On Quality Of Work Life Of Employees at ITI, B'lore
A Study On Quality Of Work Life Of Employees at ITI, B'loreA Study On Quality Of Work Life Of Employees at ITI, B'lore
A Study On Quality Of Work Life Of Employees at ITI, B'lore
 
Workers participation in management
Workers participation in management Workers participation in management
Workers participation in management
 
Hr newspapers - ht - employee engagement activities in hindustan times
Hr   newspapers - ht - employee engagement activities in hindustan timesHr   newspapers - ht - employee engagement activities in hindustan times
Hr newspapers - ht - employee engagement activities in hindustan times
 
Project Report on Labour Welfare Planning, summer internship MBA HR
Project Report on Labour Welfare Planning, summer internship MBA HRProject Report on Labour Welfare Planning, summer internship MBA HR
Project Report on Labour Welfare Planning, summer internship MBA HR
 
Structural intervention
Structural intervention Structural intervention
Structural intervention
 
Managerial associations
Managerial associationsManagerial associations
Managerial associations
 
Adjudication settlement of industrial disputes with case study.
Adjudication settlement of industrial disputes with case study.Adjudication settlement of industrial disputes with case study.
Adjudication settlement of industrial disputes with case study.
 
Worker education
Worker educationWorker education
Worker education
 
Case Study on Workers Participation in Management
Case Study on Workers Participation in ManagementCase Study on Workers Participation in Management
Case Study on Workers Participation in Management
 
Employee welfare measures
Employee welfare measuresEmployee welfare measures
Employee welfare measures
 
Hr audit
Hr auditHr audit
Hr audit
 
Questionnaire performance appraisal
Questionnaire performance appraisalQuestionnaire performance appraisal
Questionnaire performance appraisal
 
Statutory and non statutory welfare schemes at workplace
Statutory and non statutory welfare schemes at workplaceStatutory and non statutory welfare schemes at workplace
Statutory and non statutory welfare schemes at workplace
 
Industrial relation in india
Industrial relation in indiaIndustrial relation in india
Industrial relation in india
 
hrd systems, processes, outcomes and organizational effectiveness
hrd systems, processes, outcomes and organizational effectiveness hrd systems, processes, outcomes and organizational effectiveness
hrd systems, processes, outcomes and organizational effectiveness
 
Compensation Management importance and factors influencing compensation
Compensation Management importance and factors influencing compensationCompensation Management importance and factors influencing compensation
Compensation Management importance and factors influencing compensation
 
Wastage analysis
Wastage analysisWastage analysis
Wastage analysis
 
INDIAN NATIONAL TRADE UNION CONGRESS
INDIAN NATIONAL TRADE UNION CONGRESSINDIAN NATIONAL TRADE UNION CONGRESS
INDIAN NATIONAL TRADE UNION CONGRESS
 
5 c model of hrm impact
5 c model of hrm impact5 c model of hrm impact
5 c model of hrm impact
 

En vedette

Quality circle
Quality circleQuality circle
Quality circle
rgarude
 
Quality Circle class XI
Quality Circle class XIQuality Circle class XI
Quality Circle class XI
dee_malhotra73
 
Final quality circle (4)
Final quality circle (4)Final quality circle (4)
Final quality circle (4)
Ashwini Savane
 
Administrative Office Management "QUALITY CIRCLE"
Administrative Office Management "QUALITY CIRCLE"Administrative Office Management "QUALITY CIRCLE"
Administrative Office Management "QUALITY CIRCLE"
Esyaz Eleyn
 

En vedette (20)

Quality circle 2
Quality circle 2Quality circle 2
Quality circle 2
 
Quality circles
Quality circlesQuality circles
Quality circles
 
Quality circle
Quality circleQuality circle
Quality circle
 
Quality circle
Quality circle Quality circle
Quality circle
 
Quality Circles
Quality CirclesQuality Circles
Quality Circles
 
Quality circle presentation by yusuff
Quality circle presentation by yusuffQuality circle presentation by yusuff
Quality circle presentation by yusuff
 
Quality circles structural od intervention - Organizational Change and Dev...
Quality circles   structural od intervention -  Organizational Change and Dev...Quality circles   structural od intervention -  Organizational Change and Dev...
Quality circles structural od intervention - Organizational Change and Dev...
 
Quality circle
Quality circleQuality circle
Quality circle
 
Quality Circle class XI
Quality Circle class XIQuality Circle class XI
Quality Circle class XI
 
Quality Circle ,Benchmarking
Quality Circle,BenchmarkingQuality Circle,Benchmarking
Quality Circle ,Benchmarking
 
Quality Circle
Quality CircleQuality Circle
Quality Circle
 
Final quality circle (4)
Final quality circle (4)Final quality circle (4)
Final quality circle (4)
 
Quality Circles at BHEL
Quality Circles at BHELQuality Circles at BHEL
Quality Circles at BHEL
 
Human resource development and Quality Circle
Human resource development and Quality CircleHuman resource development and Quality Circle
Human resource development and Quality Circle
 
Quality circles
Quality circlesQuality circles
Quality circles
 
Basic concept of qc
Basic concept of qcBasic concept of qc
Basic concept of qc
 
Unit 4 quality circle
Unit 4   quality circleUnit 4   quality circle
Unit 4 quality circle
 
Administrative Office Management "QUALITY CIRCLE"
Administrative Office Management "QUALITY CIRCLE"Administrative Office Management "QUALITY CIRCLE"
Administrative Office Management "QUALITY CIRCLE"
 
Quality circle
Quality circleQuality circle
Quality circle
 
Quality Circle - RADICALS
Quality Circle - RADICALSQuality Circle - RADICALS
Quality Circle - RADICALS
 

Similaire à Quality Circles,HR, MBA, Organization,

Similaire à Quality Circles,HR, MBA, Organization, (20)

Quality Circle.pptx
Quality Circle.pptxQuality Circle.pptx
Quality Circle.pptx
 
qulaity circle New Microsoft Office PowerPoint Presentation.pptx
qulaity circle New Microsoft Office PowerPoint Presentation.pptxqulaity circle New Microsoft Office PowerPoint Presentation.pptx
qulaity circle New Microsoft Office PowerPoint Presentation.pptx
 
QUALITY CIRCLE PPT.pptx
QUALITY CIRCLE PPT.pptxQUALITY CIRCLE PPT.pptx
QUALITY CIRCLE PPT.pptx
 
Quality circles
Quality circlesQuality circles
Quality circles
 
Quality circles
Quality circlesQuality circles
Quality circles
 
Quality circles
Quality circlesQuality circles
Quality circles
 
QCC.pptx
QCC.pptxQCC.pptx
QCC.pptx
 
QCC Implementation.pptx
QCC Implementation.pptxQCC Implementation.pptx
QCC Implementation.pptx
 
"Quality Circle" By "Engineer Zahid Khan"
"Quality Circle" By "Engineer Zahid Khan""Quality Circle" By "Engineer Zahid Khan"
"Quality Circle" By "Engineer Zahid Khan"
 
Quality circle
Quality circleQuality circle
Quality circle
 
Quality circle - copy
Quality circle - copyQuality circle - copy
Quality circle - copy
 
Kaizen final ppt
Kaizen final pptKaizen final ppt
Kaizen final ppt
 
Kaizenfinal
KaizenfinalKaizenfinal
Kaizenfinal
 
Quality circle
Quality circleQuality circle
Quality circle
 
Quality Circle.pptx
Quality Circle.pptxQuality Circle.pptx
Quality Circle.pptx
 
QUALITY-CIRCLES-ppt.pptx
QUALITY-CIRCLES-ppt.pptxQUALITY-CIRCLES-ppt.pptx
QUALITY-CIRCLES-ppt.pptx
 
Quality+circles
Quality+circlesQuality+circles
Quality+circles
 
Quality circles-ppt
Quality circles-pptQuality circles-ppt
Quality circles-ppt
 
Quality circle
Quality circleQuality circle
Quality circle
 
what is qc
what is qcwhat is qc
what is qc
 

Plus de Midhu S V Unnithan (6)

Training
TrainingTraining
Training
 
Counselling Interview Methods
Counselling Interview MethodsCounselling Interview Methods
Counselling Interview Methods
 
Microchip's PIC Micro Controller
Microchip's PIC Micro ControllerMicrochip's PIC Micro Controller
Microchip's PIC Micro Controller
 
Organizational Learning , Performance Management
Organizational Learning ,  Performance ManagementOrganizational Learning ,  Performance Management
Organizational Learning , Performance Management
 
Infosys Case Study, Organizational Structure- Infosys
Infosys Case Study, Organizational Structure- InfosysInfosys Case Study, Organizational Structure- Infosys
Infosys Case Study, Organizational Structure- Infosys
 
Shares, MBA
Shares, MBAShares, MBA
Shares, MBA
 

Dernier

Call Girls From Pari Chowk Greater Noida ❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Service I...
Call Girls From Pari Chowk Greater Noida ❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Service I...Call Girls From Pari Chowk Greater Noida ❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Service I...
Call Girls From Pari Chowk Greater Noida ❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Service I...
lizamodels9
 
Al Mizhar Dubai Escorts +971561403006 Escorts Service In Al Mizhar
Al Mizhar Dubai Escorts +971561403006 Escorts Service In Al MizharAl Mizhar Dubai Escorts +971561403006 Escorts Service In Al Mizhar
Al Mizhar Dubai Escorts +971561403006 Escorts Service In Al Mizhar
allensay1
 
Chandigarh Escorts Service 📞8868886958📞 Just📲 Call Nihal Chandigarh Call Girl...
Chandigarh Escorts Service 📞8868886958📞 Just📲 Call Nihal Chandigarh Call Girl...Chandigarh Escorts Service 📞8868886958📞 Just📲 Call Nihal Chandigarh Call Girl...
Chandigarh Escorts Service 📞8868886958📞 Just📲 Call Nihal Chandigarh Call Girl...
Sheetaleventcompany
 
The Abortion pills for sale in Qatar@Doha [+27737758557] []Deira Dubai Kuwait
The Abortion pills for sale in Qatar@Doha [+27737758557] []Deira Dubai KuwaitThe Abortion pills for sale in Qatar@Doha [+27737758557] []Deira Dubai Kuwait
The Abortion pills for sale in Qatar@Doha [+27737758557] []Deira Dubai Kuwait
daisycvs
 
Call Girls From Raj Nagar Extension Ghaziabad❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Servi...
Call Girls From Raj Nagar Extension Ghaziabad❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Servi...Call Girls From Raj Nagar Extension Ghaziabad❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Servi...
Call Girls From Raj Nagar Extension Ghaziabad❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Servi...
lizamodels9
 
Call Girls Jp Nagar Just Call 👗 7737669865 👗 Top Class Call Girl Service Bang...
Call Girls Jp Nagar Just Call 👗 7737669865 👗 Top Class Call Girl Service Bang...Call Girls Jp Nagar Just Call 👗 7737669865 👗 Top Class Call Girl Service Bang...
Call Girls Jp Nagar Just Call 👗 7737669865 👗 Top Class Call Girl Service Bang...
amitlee9823
 
Russian Call Girls In Gurgaon ❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Service In 24/7 Delh...
Russian Call Girls In Gurgaon ❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Service In 24/7 Delh...Russian Call Girls In Gurgaon ❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Service In 24/7 Delh...
Russian Call Girls In Gurgaon ❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Service In 24/7 Delh...
lizamodels9
 
Call Girls Kengeri Satellite Town Just Call 👗 7737669865 👗 Top Class Call Gir...
Call Girls Kengeri Satellite Town Just Call 👗 7737669865 👗 Top Class Call Gir...Call Girls Kengeri Satellite Town Just Call 👗 7737669865 👗 Top Class Call Gir...
Call Girls Kengeri Satellite Town Just Call 👗 7737669865 👗 Top Class Call Gir...
amitlee9823
 

Dernier (20)

Cracking the Cultural Competence Code.pptx
Cracking the Cultural Competence Code.pptxCracking the Cultural Competence Code.pptx
Cracking the Cultural Competence Code.pptx
 
Call Girls From Pari Chowk Greater Noida ❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Service I...
Call Girls From Pari Chowk Greater Noida ❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Service I...Call Girls From Pari Chowk Greater Noida ❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Service I...
Call Girls From Pari Chowk Greater Noida ❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Service I...
 
Uneak White's Personal Brand Exploration Presentation
Uneak White's Personal Brand Exploration PresentationUneak White's Personal Brand Exploration Presentation
Uneak White's Personal Brand Exploration Presentation
 
Falcon Invoice Discounting: The best investment platform in india for investors
Falcon Invoice Discounting: The best investment platform in india for investorsFalcon Invoice Discounting: The best investment platform in india for investors
Falcon Invoice Discounting: The best investment platform in india for investors
 
Phases of Negotiation .pptx
 Phases of Negotiation .pptx Phases of Negotiation .pptx
Phases of Negotiation .pptx
 
Business Model Canvas (BMC)- A new venture concept
Business Model Canvas (BMC)-  A new venture conceptBusiness Model Canvas (BMC)-  A new venture concept
Business Model Canvas (BMC)- A new venture concept
 
Al Mizhar Dubai Escorts +971561403006 Escorts Service In Al Mizhar
Al Mizhar Dubai Escorts +971561403006 Escorts Service In Al MizharAl Mizhar Dubai Escorts +971561403006 Escorts Service In Al Mizhar
Al Mizhar Dubai Escorts +971561403006 Escorts Service In Al Mizhar
 
Organizational Transformation Lead with Culture
Organizational Transformation Lead with CultureOrganizational Transformation Lead with Culture
Organizational Transformation Lead with Culture
 
Chandigarh Escorts Service 📞8868886958📞 Just📲 Call Nihal Chandigarh Call Girl...
Chandigarh Escorts Service 📞8868886958📞 Just📲 Call Nihal Chandigarh Call Girl...Chandigarh Escorts Service 📞8868886958📞 Just📲 Call Nihal Chandigarh Call Girl...
Chandigarh Escorts Service 📞8868886958📞 Just📲 Call Nihal Chandigarh Call Girl...
 
Cheap Rate Call Girls In Noida Sector 62 Metro 959961乂3876
Cheap Rate Call Girls In Noida Sector 62 Metro 959961乂3876Cheap Rate Call Girls In Noida Sector 62 Metro 959961乂3876
Cheap Rate Call Girls In Noida Sector 62 Metro 959961乂3876
 
Call Girls Zirakpur👧 Book Now📱7837612180 📞👉Call Girl Service In Zirakpur No A...
Call Girls Zirakpur👧 Book Now📱7837612180 📞👉Call Girl Service In Zirakpur No A...Call Girls Zirakpur👧 Book Now📱7837612180 📞👉Call Girl Service In Zirakpur No A...
Call Girls Zirakpur👧 Book Now📱7837612180 📞👉Call Girl Service In Zirakpur No A...
 
The Abortion pills for sale in Qatar@Doha [+27737758557] []Deira Dubai Kuwait
The Abortion pills for sale in Qatar@Doha [+27737758557] []Deira Dubai KuwaitThe Abortion pills for sale in Qatar@Doha [+27737758557] []Deira Dubai Kuwait
The Abortion pills for sale in Qatar@Doha [+27737758557] []Deira Dubai Kuwait
 
Call Girls From Raj Nagar Extension Ghaziabad❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Servi...
Call Girls From Raj Nagar Extension Ghaziabad❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Servi...Call Girls From Raj Nagar Extension Ghaziabad❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Servi...
Call Girls From Raj Nagar Extension Ghaziabad❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Servi...
 
Value Proposition canvas- Customer needs and pains
Value Proposition canvas- Customer needs and painsValue Proposition canvas- Customer needs and pains
Value Proposition canvas- Customer needs and pains
 
BAGALUR CALL GIRL IN 98274*61493 ❤CALL GIRLS IN ESCORT SERVICE❤CALL GIRL
BAGALUR CALL GIRL IN 98274*61493 ❤CALL GIRLS IN ESCORT SERVICE❤CALL GIRLBAGALUR CALL GIRL IN 98274*61493 ❤CALL GIRLS IN ESCORT SERVICE❤CALL GIRL
BAGALUR CALL GIRL IN 98274*61493 ❤CALL GIRLS IN ESCORT SERVICE❤CALL GIRL
 
Whitefield CALL GIRL IN 98274*61493 ❤CALL GIRLS IN ESCORT SERVICE❤CALL GIRL
Whitefield CALL GIRL IN 98274*61493 ❤CALL GIRLS IN ESCORT SERVICE❤CALL GIRLWhitefield CALL GIRL IN 98274*61493 ❤CALL GIRLS IN ESCORT SERVICE❤CALL GIRL
Whitefield CALL GIRL IN 98274*61493 ❤CALL GIRLS IN ESCORT SERVICE❤CALL GIRL
 
Call Girls Jp Nagar Just Call 👗 7737669865 👗 Top Class Call Girl Service Bang...
Call Girls Jp Nagar Just Call 👗 7737669865 👗 Top Class Call Girl Service Bang...Call Girls Jp Nagar Just Call 👗 7737669865 👗 Top Class Call Girl Service Bang...
Call Girls Jp Nagar Just Call 👗 7737669865 👗 Top Class Call Girl Service Bang...
 
Russian Call Girls In Gurgaon ❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Service In 24/7 Delh...
Russian Call Girls In Gurgaon ❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Service In 24/7 Delh...Russian Call Girls In Gurgaon ❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Service In 24/7 Delh...
Russian Call Girls In Gurgaon ❤️8448577510 ⊹Best Escorts Service In 24/7 Delh...
 
SEO Case Study: How I Increased SEO Traffic & Ranking by 50-60% in 6 Months
SEO Case Study: How I Increased SEO Traffic & Ranking by 50-60%  in 6 MonthsSEO Case Study: How I Increased SEO Traffic & Ranking by 50-60%  in 6 Months
SEO Case Study: How I Increased SEO Traffic & Ranking by 50-60% in 6 Months
 
Call Girls Kengeri Satellite Town Just Call 👗 7737669865 👗 Top Class Call Gir...
Call Girls Kengeri Satellite Town Just Call 👗 7737669865 👗 Top Class Call Gir...Call Girls Kengeri Satellite Town Just Call 👗 7737669865 👗 Top Class Call Gir...
Call Girls Kengeri Satellite Town Just Call 👗 7737669865 👗 Top Class Call Gir...
 

Quality Circles,HR, MBA, Organization,

  • 2. What is a Quality Circle?What is a Quality Circle? Voluntary groups of employees who work on similar tasks or share an area of responsibility They agree to meet on a regular basis to discuss & solve problems related to work. They operate on the principle that employee participation in decision-making and problem- solving improves the quality of work
  • 3. How Do Quality Circles Work?How Do Quality Circles Work? Characteristics ◦ Volunteers ◦ Set Rules and Priorities ◦ Decisions made by Consensus ◦ Use of organized approaches to Problem- Solving
  • 4. How Do Quality Circles Work?How Do Quality Circles Work? All members of a Circle need to receive training Members need to be empowered Members need to have the support of Senior Management
  • 5. How Can They be Used in anHow Can They be Used in an Organization?Organization? Increase Productivity Improve Quality Boost Employee Morale
  • 6. Objectives of Quality CirclesObjectives of Quality Circles Promote job involvement Create problem solving capability Improve communication Promote leadership qualities Enhance quality Inspire more effective team work Build an attitude of problem prevention Promote cost reduction Improve productivity Reduce downtime of machines and equipment Increase employee motivation
  • 7. Problems with Quality CirclesProblems with Quality Circles Inadequate Training Unsure of Purpose Not truly Voluntary Lack of Management Interest Quality Circles are not really empowered to make decisions.
  • 8. Summary of History and PracticesSummary of History and Practices Quality Circles were first seen in the United States in the 1950’s Circles were developed by Dr, Kaoru Ishikawa in Japan in the 1960’s Circles were re-exported to the US in the early 1970’s
  • 9. Summary of History and PracticesSummary of History and Practices 1980’s brought Total Quality Management and a reduction in the use of Quality Circles Quality Circles can be a useful tool if used properly
  • 10. Quality Circles (India)Quality Circles (India)  1980: BHEL, Hyderabad first in India to start Quality Circles  1982: Quality Circle Forum of India (QCFI) was founded  1983: Tata Motors (formerly Telco) started Quality Circles, by 1985 they had more than 400 Circles  1985: BHEL had 1411 Circles covering around 13362 members
  • 11. Real World ExampleReal World Example The case of Tata steels  Tata Steels, a world leader in the steel industry started its QC journey way back in 1990 with a negligible number of Quality Circles.  As per the recent statistics, the number of quality circles operating in Tata Steel has risen to over 7500.  It proudly declares that more than 96% of its employees are involved in this quality movement.  To their credit Quality Circles have solved 14000 problems by themselves, which benefited the company not only in terms of quality improvement but also in terms of productivity, cost, and safety.

Notes de l'éditeur

  1. Number of members ranging from 3-12 people. They focus on specific issues to resolve problems. They generally meet weekly to analyze work related problems and propose solutions to Management and where possible implement those solutions. Members also tend to generate a mutual respect and trust as they work on solutions, which is conducive for collaborating as a team.
  2. Participation in Quality Circles needs to strictly be voluntary. If members are forced to participate, it does not allow for a conducive team building environment. The members of the Quality Circle set the rules and prioritizes/selects problems that will be approached and discussed by the team. All decisions are made by consensus, encouraging open communication. Organized problem-solving should be utilized, which would include brainstorming and cause-and-effect diagramming. This organized approach also prevents the circles from holding unproductive sessions as well.
  3. Ishikawa, when developing this concept always believed that everybody should be properly trained to use the 7 Tools of Quality Control: 1. Pareto Charts 2. Cause and Effect Diagrams 3. Stratification 4. Check Sheets 5. Histograms 6. Scatter Diagrams 7. Control Charts and Graphs He also believed that the circles should be empowered enough to see their recommendations through. Along with empowerment, it is expected to have management support. Many times Circles have collapsed due management lack of interest or interference.
  4. Quality Circles can be used in any organization, whether it is Manufacturing, Service, Health Care, Education, etc. They can be used to increase productivity…as an example, members can develop ways to decrease lead times for products. They can be used to help improve quality of services as well as products. If there are issues, members can analyze the process and come up with solutions to make it better. This will improve quality and likely increase productivity as well.
  5. A lack of understanding what Quality Circles may cause management to be reluctant to initiate circles, act upon circle suggestions or being eager for quick solutions, may implement too early. Some circles are not given a clear purpose or direction. Without having a clear purpose it is difficult to be a productive team. There are times that members are assigned to circles instead of volunteering. Under circumstances like this, the employee at times is reluctant to be part of the team. Management loss of interest in the project that the circle is working on is also a hindrance in the success of the circle. Without empowerment and support of the management staff, circles will not have the resources provided to them to be successful.
  6. Brief History of the origins of Quality Circles.
  7. In the 1980’s, the introduction of the new idea of Total Quality Management replaced a lot of the Quality Circles in the United States and was more successful. Circles can be a useful tool as long as the key factors in a successful Circle are maintained: volunteers, management support, and employee empowerment.
  8. Hirshfield, selected 8 students for this endeavor and had them study the purpose and operation of Quality Circles and used the methods that they learned to determine the type and frequency of written assignments, the content of lectures and the method to be used for testing. The decisions made by the Circle resulted in change to the course structure and content. Some of the actions were the use of daily outlines , increased student participation in the selection of poetry and films used in class, and urged the use of contemporary analysis to illustrate the use of course material to modern problems. Hirshfield felt that Quality Circles are a valuable academic tool. It provided students with experience in decision making and problem solving as well as an increase in student familiarity with course material.