Successful implementation of quality circles in an Indian Maharatna Unit: the driving factors

Abstract

Post-independence, DSP was going through a crisis period up to early 1980s. During that period, a comprehensive participative program was framed and implemented. One such program was quality circle (QC), initiated in early 1990s and effectively run till date. This study has been undertaken to find the critical responsible factors of such QCs’ effectiveness in DSP based on the developed QCs’ effectiveness model. In this present study, both primary and secondary data were collected in three phases during 2004–2009 through questionnaire from 160 respondents representing 80 sample QCs. The data so collected were analyzed by PCA under FA with relevant validity analysis. Twenty “Factors” were found by the study as critical and responsible for QCs’ effectiveness. It was concluded that although the success and effectiveness measure varies in between QCs, but those “Factors” would act as the catalyst of QCs’ effectiveness in any type of industrial setting within the region and country.