Quality circles in a unionized setting: Their effect on grievance rates

This study examined the effect of quality circles (QCs) on grievance rates in a unionized manufacturing plant. Because circles are designed to give employees additional influence over their work lives, it was hypothesized that QC participation would reduce the number of grievances filed by circle members. This hypothesis was tested with 166 employees at a large manufacturing plant using a repeated measures control group design. Grievance rates of QC members and nonmember control employees were monitored over a three-year period, from 12 months before to 24 months after circle implementation. A significant decline in circle members' grievance rates was observed for the first post-implementation year and remained stable during the following year. It was also found that QC members filed over two-thirds of all grievances throughout the entire three year measurement period. Alternative explanations for the findings are discussed, as well as their implications for cooperative labor-management relations.An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 98th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association at Boston, August 10, 1990.