THE CASE OF ACTIVE AND INACTIVE QUALITY CIRCLES

Active and inactive quality circles (QCs; small groups of employees th at solve organizational problems) were studied during the first 3 mont hs (Times 1, 2, and 3) and the last 3 months (Times 4, 5, and 6) of th eir existence. The results indicated that both active and inactive QCs tended to have more members during the first 3 months than during the last 3 months. Membership in inactive QCs decreased significantly fro m Time 5 to Time 6, in contrast to membership in active QCs, which did not change during this period, and active QCs tended to have more mem bers than inactive QCs did at Time 6. Thus, a significant decrease in QC membership may forecast disbandment.