Managers' Attendance and the Effectiveness of Small Work Groups: The Case of Quality Circles

Abstract

Abstract Managers' attendance and the effectiveness of small work groups were examined by using the archival data of 47 quality circles (QCs) in the United States over a 3-year period. The results showed that upper-management attendance was related to members' participation (attendance rate at group meetings and group membership). Middle-management attendance was related to groups' problem-solving activities (the number of projects attempted and cost savings). Lower-management attendance was not related to groups' problem-solving activities.