Differences between Active and Inactive Quality Circles in Attendance and Performance

Abstract

Based on the archival data of a quality circle (QC) program in a three-year period, the differences between active QCs (n = 32) and inactive QCs (n = 12) on QC members' participation and QCs' performance were examined using a discriminant analysis. The results showed that active QCs had lower rate of problem-solving failure, higher attendance rate at QC meetings, and higher net savings of QC projects than inactive QCs. The results were discussed in terms of the problem-solving process of small groups.