What role do QC-circles play in Sweden?

Journal article, 1992

An analysis is made on why the quality control (QC) circle activities in Sweden took a considerable step backwards since 1985, after a steady increase in the number of circles during the first 10 years. There are many contributing factors to the reversal, among which are lack of top management support, a short term focus and narrow perspective on the role of the circle, and implementation flaws. The perceived decline does however not reveal the whole truth. QC circles exist under other names, and different modified forms of problem-solving groups are frequent. In some firms also QC circles come and go and reoccur when the firm enters into a situation where the total labour force has to be mobilized. The results from Sweden strongly indicate the crucial role of top management involvement for a successful implementation and continuation of a QC circle program.