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.