What does a "quality circle" refer to?

A "quality circle" refers to a group of employees who come together regularly to discuss and resolve work-related problems. The primary aim of a quality circle is to enhance quality and productivity by tapping into the collective knowledge and experiences of employees who are directly involved in the workflow.

These groups typically consist of individuals who share similar work responsibilities and have valuable insights into the challenges they face. By engaging in this collaborative process, quality circles promote a culture of continuous improvement within an organization. Members generate and propose solutions to specific quality issues, thereby fostering employee involvement and empowerment.

In contrast, discussions among managers strategic in nature do not embody the principle of employee participation that quality circles emphasize. Performance indicators serve as measurable values to gauge success but do not include focused group discussions. A formal complaint process, while important for addressing grievances, is not aligned with the proactive, problem-solving approach of quality circles that advocates for team collaboration on quality issues.