The article reports the findings of an exploratory study of commu
nication in quality circles. It is generally accepted in the literature
that quality circles improve communication in organizational set
tings, yet no specific research has been conducted that explains
how communication is improved This study was conducted to in
vestigate that question and to provide hypotheses to be tested in fu
ture communication studies. Multiple methods of data collection
and analysis were used to produce findings that would address
how quality circle participation affects communication, as per
ceived by members themselves. A survey designed for the study in
cluded the communication portion of Likert's Profile of
Organizational Characteristics and ten open-ended questions
asking about participant's personal experiences in quality circles.
Analysis of the data revealed that quality circle participation had
positive effects on perceived individual power/influence, commu
nication with superiors, subordinates, and to some degree, with
peers. Among the areas of organizational communication not af
fected by quality circle participation were opportunities for ad
vancement, belonging/acceptance by others, and tangible
rewards.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Albrecht, T.L., & Ropp, V.A. (1982). The study of network structuring in organizations through the use of method triangulation. Western Journal of Speech Communication, 46(2), 162-178.
2.
Antilla, S. (1981, October). The quality circle, an American idea that helped build East meets West. Working Woman, 88-91.
3.
Atwater, L.Y. (1981). Quality circles in the Navy: Productivity improvement or just another program (Report No. NPRDC-SR-81-21). San Diego, California : Navy Personnel Research and Development Center (NTIS No. AD-A101873).
4.
Barra, R. (1983). Putting quality circles to work: A practical strategy for boosting productivity and profits. New York: McGraw-Hill.
5.
Benjamin, E.R. (1982). Participation and the attitude of organizational commitment: A study of quality circles (Doctoral dissertation, University of Minnesota. Dissertation Abstracts International, 43, 3062B.
6.
Benscoter, G.M. (1983). A study of the effects of training in the use of selected quality circle data collection and analysis tools upon leader/group interaction patterns and a group's ability to extract factual information from a data set (Doctoral dissertation, Pennsylvania State University. Dissertation Abstracts International, 44, 0368A.
7.
Bureau of Mines. (1981). Ergonomics-Human factors in mining (Report No. BUMINES-IC-886. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Research Center (NTIS No. PB82-165655).
8.
Cline, P.M. (1983). An organizational analysis of the Edmonds School District with recommendations for change (Doctoral dissertation, Seattle University . Dissertation Abstracts International, 442303A.
9.
Cole, R.E. (1980, July). Will quality control circles work in the United States? Quality Progress, 30-33.
10.
Cook, M.H. (1982). Quality circles—they really work, but.... Training and Development Journal, 36(1), 4-6.
11.
Cronin, W. (1983, February 14). Quality circles: A roundtable process to expose and strengthen weaknesses. Telephony, 38-40.
12.
Dean, J.W. (1983). An investigation of quality circles (Doctoral dissertation, Carnegie-Mellon University. Dissertation Abstracts International44, 0806A.
13.
Dewar, D.L. (1980). The quality circle guide to participation management . Englewood Cliffs, NJ:Prentice-Hall .
14.
Faules, D. (1982). The use of multi-methods in the organizational setting. Western Journal of Speech Communication, 46(2), 150-161.
15.
Glaser, B.G. (1969). The constant comparative method of qualitative analysis. In G. J. McCall & J. L. Simmons (Eds.), Issues in participant observation: A text and reader (pp. 216-228). Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
16.
Gomez, M. (1983). Does employee participation increase worker productivity and perception of improved quality of work life? (Doctoral dissertation, Nova University). Dissertation Abstracts International, 44, 1510A.
17.
Gonnet, K.A.M. (1983). An investigation of eleven job satisfaction variables as they pertain to full-time community college faculty (Doctoral dissertation, North Texas State UniversityDissertation Abstracts International , 44, 2374A.
18.
Goodman, R., & Ruch, R.S. (1982). The role of research in internal communication . Public Relations Journal, 38(7), 16-19.
19.
Groves, R.M., & Kahn, R.L. (1979). Surveys by telephone: A national comparison with personal interviews. New York: Academic Press.
20.
Harper, S.E., & Jordan, G.L. (1982). The utility of quality circles in United States manufacturing companies (Contract No. N00014-82-C-0139. Alexandria, Virginia: Business Innovations, Inc. (NTIS No. AD-A118 949).
Huff, A.S. (1981). Multilectic methods of inquiry. Human Systems Management, 2,83-94.
23.
Hunt, B. (1981). Measuring results in a quality circles pilot test . Quality Circles Journal, 4(3), 27-29.
24.
Imberman, W. (1982, May). Why quality circles don't work. Canadian Business, 103-106.
25.
Ingle, S. (1982). How to avoid quality circle failure in your company . Training and Development Journal, 36(6), 54-59.
26.
Ingle, S., & Ingle, N. (1983). Quality circles in service industries: Comprehensive guidelines for increased productivity and efficiency. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:Prentice-Hall.
27.
Jeys, G.H. (1982). Quality control circles: Will they work at Sandia (Report No. SAND-81-2021. Albuquerque, NM: Sandia National Laboratories (NTIS No. DE2006867).
28.
Kanter, R.M. (1977). Men and women of the corporation. New York: Basic Books.
29.
Stevens, R.E., & Moore, R.L. (1981). Quality circles: Determination of significant factors for success and a general model for implementing a quality circle process (Report No. AFIT-LSSR-21-81. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio: Air Force Institute of Technology (NTIS No. AD-A103 784).
30.
Thompson, P.C. (1982). Quality circles: How to make them work in America . New York: AMACON.
31.
Walton, R.E. (1973, Fall). Quality of working life: What is it? Sloan Management Review, 11-21.
32.
White, B.J. (1981). PRIDE: Productivity through recognition, involvement, and development of employees (Report No. YDN-139; CONF-811210-1. Oak Ridge Y12 Plant, Tennessee: Department of Energy (NTIS No. DE82001826).
33.
Younker, J.N. (1982). An empirical assessment of the applicability of the Franklin causal model within a medical center (Doctoral dissertation, Memphis State University. Dissertation Abstracts International , 43, 2381B.
34.
Zahra, S.A. (1982). An exploratory empirical assessment of quality circles (Doctoral dissertation, The University of Mississippi. Dissertation Abstracts International, 432030A.
