A quality circle is a group of regular employees who meet regularly to discuss workplace improvements and present ideas to management. Quality circles were first established in Japan in 1962 to promote participative and humanistic management, which values employee input and involvement in problem solving. The objectives of quality circles are to improve quality and productivity through developing employee problem solving skills, teamwork, motivation, and sense of responsibility. A quality circle is typically composed of 8-10 members from the same work area led by a member-selected leader.

1. Quality Circle

8. Structure of Quality Circle Non Qc - Members Members Leader Facilitator Co-ordinator Steering committee Top Management

9. Roles & Responsibilities The success of the quality circles depends solely on the attitude of the Top management and plays an important role to ensure the success of implementation of quality circles in the organization. Top Management Steering committee Co-ordinator Facilitator Leader Members Non-members

10. Roles & Responsibilities Steering committee called middle management consists of chief executive heads of different divisions or a co-ordinator plays a positive role in quality circles activities for the success of the efforts. The meetings are conveyed at least once in one to two months interaval. Top Management Steering committee Co-ordinator Facilitator Leader Members Non-members

11. Roles & Responsibilities Co-ordinator also acts as facilitators is an individual responsible for coordinating and directing the quality circles activities within an organization and carries out such functions as would make the operations of quality circles smooth, effective and self-sustainable. Top Management Steering committee Co-ordinator Facilitator Leader Members Non-members

12. Roles & Responsibilities Facilitator also acts as a catalyst, innovator, promoter and teacher and is nominated by the management. (i) Communicating with all levels of management and obtaining their support and assistance; (ii) Providing training to QCC leaders and assisting in training of QCC members where required; (iii) Maintaining an open and supportive environment; (iv) Ensuring QCC members direct their activities to work-related problems; (v) As a mediator in problem-solving; (vi) As a resource person to the Circle; and (vii) Evaluating the costs and benefits of the QCC programme and reporting to the Management.

13. Roles & Responsibilities Leader of the quality circles is chosen by the members among themselves and they may decide to have a leader by rotation since the members are the basic elements of the structure of quality circle . (i) Training members on problems-solving techniques with the assistance of the facilitator where required; (ii) Responsible for the smooth operation of QCC activities and fostering the spirit of cooperation and harmony among members; (iii) Assisting the Circle members in record keeping and in the preparation of management presentations; (iv) Conducting meetings in an orderly and effective manner; (v) Showing interest and support to the Circle; (vi) Encouraging other workers to become members; (vii) Assisting members in problem-solving; and (viii) Enforcing team discipline.

14. Roles & Responsibilities Members of the quality circles are the small group of people from the same work area or doing similar type of work whereas non-members are those who are not members of the quality circle but may be involved in the circle recommendation. (i) Attending meetings regularly; (ii) Directing their efforts towards solving work-related problems; (iii) Identifying problems, contributing ideas, undertaking research and investigation (where necessary) and assisting the QCC in problem-solving. (iv) Participating in management presentations.

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