Archives

The Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Quality and Productivity (SLAAQP) has launched a booklet on "Quality Circles". "Quality Circles" is management technique which originated in Japan under the concept of Small Group Activities (SGA).

"Quality Circles" which are sometimes called Work Improvement Teams (the name used in the Singapore Civil Service) or Productivity Improvement Circle (the name used in the Philippines ) is a technique where employees usually at non-executive level get together in small groups to identify, analyse and improve productivity and quality.

In Japan Kaizen Suggestion Schemes are very popular among individuals who make simple suggestions to improve quality, productivity, safety and customer service.

"Quality Circles" on the other hand involve groups of workers who tackle improvement projects, which are too complex for an individual to handle.

This technique is now popular in over 65 countries and an Annual Convention on "Quality Circles" is held every year in an Asian country.

In Sri Lanka "Quality Circles" have been very popular in the private sector, but recently under the direction of the National Productivity Secretariat (NSP), many public sector institutions, as well as schools, have commenced "Quality Circles" with the aim of improving systems and procedures, customer service, productivity, safety and quality.

However, the further spread of "Quality Circles" has been inhibited due to the lack of literature and bad experiences that have resulted in implementing "Quality Circles" without the correct understanding of it. Therefore the SLAAQP decided to produce an introductory booklet on the subject. This booklet is also being dedicated to the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO) which is celebrating its 40th year of existence this year.

The booklet has been written by Sunil G. Wijesinha who was first trained in "Quality Circles" in an APO program in 1980 in Tokyo and who has been instrumental in popularising this concept since then. He has also attended several international seminars on "Quality Circles" and is also a member of the International Coordinating Body on Quality Circles.

The book was launched with a presentation to S. C. Mannaperuma, Secretary and Roy Jayasinghe, Addl. Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Industrial Development and Rural Industries at the auditorium of the Ministry recently.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager