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Unit 14: Quality of Work Life

14.2.2 Problems in Quality Circles Notes

1. The basic problem in QC is the absence of the right type of attitude both among
managers as well as among workers. Managers may feel that QCs dilute their authority
and importance.
2. Delay in implementation of suggestions given by QCs may affect their operation
problems to the operation and functioning of QCs.

3. In the Indian context, there may be problems in organizing QCs owing to the low level
of education and lack of leadership abilities amongst workers.
4. There may be operational problems like members not being permitted to hold meetings
during office hours, irregularity of meetings, etc.
14.2.3 Historical Background

Started in Japan in the early 1960s, QCs have spread all over the world. Quality Circles
became extremely popular in the 1980s, particularly in the aerospace, automobile, steel and
consumer goods industries. The primary topics of discussion in most QCs are related to
quality, but they also consider others such as cost, safety and efficiency. QC members
identify a problem, study it and present their recommendations for change and improvement
to a committee.

14.2.4 Advantages of Quality Circles
• Generation of Creative Ideas
• Improvement in Productivity

• Better Teamwork
• Higher Motivation
• Development of Problem Solving Skills
14.2.5 Phases in the Life of a QC Programme

Table 14.1 shows the phases in the life of a QC and the problems encountered at each stage.

Table 14.1: Phases in the Life of a QC Programme

Phase Activity Destructive forces

1. Start-up Publicise, obtain funds Low volunteer rate, inadequate
and volunteers, train funding, inability to learn group
process and problem solving skills
2. Initial problem Identify and solve Disagreement on Problems
solving problems
3. Presentation and Present and have initial Resistance by staff groups and middle
approval of initial suggestions accepted management, poor presentation and
suggestions suggestions because of limited
knowledge

4. Implementation of Relevant groups act on Prohibitive, resistance by group that
solutions suggestions must implement
5. Expansion and From new groups, old Raised aspirations, reappearance of
continued problem groups continued problems, expense of parallel
solving organization, savings not realised,
and rewards wanted

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