This article is an attempt to increase knowledge of the best conditions for application of a programme of quality circles. It suggests that before applying such a programme, the top management team must clarify: the purpose of application, the ways to use the circles, and analyse the...

The objective here is to critically assess the essential characteristics of quality circles and to focus attention on the factors and conditions which are crucial to the successful implementation of quality circles at Cosalt Holiday Homes. The proposed quality circle programme for Cosalt is...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand and measure the impact of goal clarity, goal difficulty, and management support on five social and technical outcomes for quality circles (QCs) in a Chinese company. Design/methodology/approach – Survey scales were developed based on...

Traditional statistical tools are subject to certain constraints when they are applied to quality control in industries where the number of faults per working day is limited. An effective quality monitoring and analyzing tool is therefore needed to meet the specific requirements of these...

Whilst the concept of quality circles is well established in the management lexicon, knowledge management is a much more recent addition. The aim of this paper is to show that these two concepts, together with a number of others, are closely linked and are all aspects of a much more fundamental...

The fundamentals of TQM are revisited for providing a relevant perspective on business excellence. Judging from the experience of the Japanese TQM movement, there is a need for a step‐by‐step approach towards TQ. As a result of exploratory research, a model called TQMEX standing for TQM...

A study carried out at UMIST of the operation of white‐collar circles in manufacturing firms is reported. Despite the problems associated with initiating and sustaining white‐collar circles, it is ot suggested that they should be avoided.

This article discusses the nature of quality achievement in industry. The characteristics of the Japanese approach to quality and management are examined, and the importance of employee participation and involvement in contributing to quality achievement is noted. In this context the South...

For many forward‐looking organizations establishing and maintaining good environmental management and the ability to demonstrate such practice has been achieved through the commitment of senior managers, effective leadership and teamwork. These are key aspects of any successful environmental...

Explains the advantages and disadvantages of the various approaches that are now being used in today’s society for group decision making. Groups are everywhere in our society, and learning more about them and how to work better in them can enhance the quality of each person’s life. Explains...