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Society of Quality Circles - do we need one?
In our September issue of Touchstone we reported that during the week of the International Conference on Quality in Japan that month, both Honda and Toyota seperately announced that they had initiated a policy to aim for 100% membership of Quality Circles in all their operations world wide.
Both of these automotive giants of course have extensive operations in the UK.
If they are to be successful, it follows that many of their suppliers will also consider following their example so there is a possibility that the concept will be revived in both the UK and in other non Asian countries (Quality Circles are very active in the Far East and have been since the 1980s).
Should this be the case, it is imperative that industry avoids the great mistakes it made when we introduced Quality Circles back in the late 1970s. Tragically, had this not happened, the industrial cultures in the West would be significantly better than they are today. If there is second chance let us do it properly this time.
One key feature of success in those Far Eastern Countries is the support of a national organisation dedicated to the promotion of the concept. In the early 1980s such an organisation was formed (The National Society for Quality Circles) in the UK and it flourished for a few years before it changed its name to 'The National Society for Teamwork and diversified into supporting Teamwork generally. It survived for a few years after this before financial problems brought about its demise.
We believe that it is vital that a new organisation is formed to fill this vacuum. It would be inappropriate for DHI as a purely commercial operation to start such an organisation. However, there is a way that we can do this.
Three years ago, with the agreement of Dr Juran, David Hutchins personally registered 'The Juran Research Centre UK. Its Articles and Memoranda of Association state that it is not for profit. The objective was to further in the UK the work of Dr Juran as a scientific organisation to further the development of the Quality Arts and Sciences. To date the company has not been developed other than to publish a one page web site for itself. The object was to raise funds to provide scholarships for Quality Related degrees.
This organisation could therefore legitimately be used to host a Society of Quality Circles. If there is support for this venture, David Hutchins would personally be prepared to set it up and encourage membership.
David's initial thoughts are that membership should be primarily on an individual basis with an annual fee slightly lower than for professional membership of Institutions and with no qualification barriers.
Corporate membership and Corporate Sponsorships should be encouraged in order to boost funding for its activites and to raise its profile in industry generally.
The Society should also embrace Kaizen activities since they are in reality identical in all but name to Quality Circles.
In keeping with similar societies in both Asia and the Far East, it is envisaged that such a Society would produce publications, training aids, a news letter (probably electronic) and hold events for members to present and share their achievements.
It is also hoped that this Society if formed would link with the various Quality Circles Societies in the field of Education including particularly ICSQCC and particularly the magnificent work being carried out by Richard Ennals and his links with UNESCO and also IAQC the International Academy for Quality Certification.
If you have any interest at all in this proposal please contact David Hutchins through the 'CONTACT' feature at the top right hand corner of this web site with your thoughts. If there is sufficient positive reaction and any offers to help then David Hutchins will not waste any time in setting the wheels in motion to begin this exciting new project.
Note: The term Quality Circles also includes Kaizen - (some spell it 'Kaizan'). This concept is identical to true Quality Circles in every respect. They are also known as QC Circles which is the really correct name used in Japan, or in the Far East today e-QC Circles which means 'evolutionary QC Circles and was coined by JUSE in 2002').
Related PagesQuality in Education
Quality Circles Appreciation Training Course
Quality Circles Facilitator Training Course
Quality Circles at Wedgwood
Article: Ringing the Bell with Quality Circles
Book: The Quality Circles Handbook
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