ATTRIBUTIONS OF QUALITY CIRCLES PROBLEM-SOLVING FAILURE - DIFFERENCESAMONG MANAGEMENT, SUPPORTING STAFF, AND QUALITY CIRCLE MEMBERS

Employees with experiences in a quality circle (QC) program were asked to answer a questionnaire that measured the attributions of quality c ircles' (QCs) problem-solving failure. Seven clearly interpretable fac tors were identified: Lack of top-management support, lack of QC membe rs' commitment, lack of problem-solving skills, QC members' turnover, the nature of the task lack of support from staff members, and lack of data and time. The nomological network of the 24-item questionnaire i s also examined. Further, management personnel made significantly lowe r attributional ratings concerning lack of top-management support than supporting staff and QC members.