B Pharm

1. Quality Circles

2. Introduction
 Voluntary groups of small number of employees who work on
similar tasks or share an area of responsibility
 They agree to meet on a regular basis to discuss & solve
problems related to work.
 They operate on the principle that employee participation in
decision-making and problem-solving improves the quality of
work.
 In essence, Quality circle is a small group of employees in
the same work area or doing a similar type of work who
voluntarily meet regularly for about an hour every week to
identify, analyze and resolve work related problems, leading
to improvement in their total performance and enrichment of
work life.

3. Some features of QCs
 QC is a philosophy and not a technique
 QCs have a bottom up approach – not a
top down approach
 QCs are voluntary but not compulsory
 QCs are management supported but not
directed by management
 QCs are participative
 QCs are a group activity.
 QC involve task performers or grass root
employees

4. Alternative names of QC
 Human Resource Circles
 Action Circles
 Magic Circles
 Quality Seekers
 Employees Circles
 Productivity Circles
 Employees Participation Circles
 Shop Improvement teams
 Small Group Activities

5. Benefits of QCs
 Improvement in human relations and work
area morale
 Promotion of a participative culture in
organization
 Enhanced interest in job
 Helps teamwork among employees in an org.
 Improved housekeeping, cost effectiveness
and safety in organizations
 Help in improving productivity
 Enhances member’s problem solving
capability

6. Some pitfalls of QCs
 Inadequate Training
 Unsure of Purpose
 Not truly Voluntary
 Lack of Management Interest
 Quality Circles are not really empowered
to make decisions.
 Lack of proper record keeping of QC
activities
 Some members do not participate
wholeheartedly in QC activities.