QCs’ Effectiveness in Selected Industrial Enterprises in West Bengal

Organizations the world over are searching for new means for continuous improvement. One such search ends in Quality Circles (QCs). Starting in 1980s, the QC philosophy has spread throughout India, especially in the Eastern region including West Bengal (WB). The present study finds out the factors critical and responsible for QCs’ effectiveness in five industrial enterprises in WB. Both primary and secondary data were collected during 2004-09 from 236 respondents representing 118 sample QCs. The data was analyzed by Principal Component Analysis and Factor Analysis with relevant validity analysis. Twenty-three ‘factors’ were extracted as critical and responsible for QCs’ effectiveness. The success and effectiveness measure varies among the organizations and QCs. The ‘factors’ would act as the catalysts of QCs’ effectiveness in any type of industrial setting.