The term “quality of work life” (QWL) was first introduced in 1972 during an international labour relations conference. QWL received more attention after United Auto Workers and General Motors initiated a QWL program for work reforms. Robbins (1989) defined QWL as “a process by which an organization responds to employees needs by developing mechanisms to…
Year: 2011
Evaluate Quality of Work Life
QWL programs can be evaluated on the basis of following points: Fair compensation and job security: The economic interests of people drive them to work at a job and employee satisfaction depends at least partially , on the compensation offered. Pay should be fixed on the basis of the work done, responsibilities undertaken, individual skills…
Factors Influencing / Decide The Quality of Work Life
The factors that influence and decide the Quality of work life are: Attitude: The person who is entrusted with a particular job needs to have sufficient knowledge, required skill and expertise, enough experience, enthusiasm, energy level, willingness to learn new things, dynamism, sense of belongingness in the organization, involvement in the job, inter personnel relations,…
Elements in Quality of Work Life
Open communication Equitable reward system A concern for employee job security Participation in job design – job enrichment & organisational design Employee skill development Reduction of occupational stress Good employer-employee relations A challenging job More opportunity for growth Encouraging creativity and innovation in employees Alternate work schedule Workers participation in management Supportive leadership Autonomy and…
Total Quality Management (TQM)
TQM is a set of management practices throughout the organization, geared to ensure the organization consistently meets or exceeds customer requirements. TQM places strong focus on process measurement and controls as means of continuous improvement. Total Quality Management is an approach to the art of management that originated in Japanese industry in the 1950’s and…
Implementation Principles and Processes of TQM
A preliminary step in TQM implementation is to assess the organization’s current reality. Relevant preconditions have to do with the organization’s history, its current needs, precipitating events leading to TQM, and the existing employee quality of working life. If the current reality does not include important preconditions, TQM implementation should be delayed until the organization…
Quality Circle
Quality Circle is a small group of employees in the same work-area or doing a similar types of works who voluntarily meet regularly for about an hour every week to identify, analyze and resolve works – related problems, leading to improvement in their total performance and enrichment of their work-life. The above definition reveals, the…
Objectives of Quality Circle
Promote job involvement Create problem solving capability Improve communication Promote leadership qualities Promote personal development Develop a greater awareness for cleanliness Develop greater awareness for safety Improve morale through closer identity of employee objectives with organization’s objectives Reduce errors. Enhance quality Inspire more effective team work Build an attitude of problem prevention Promote cost reduction…
Pitfalls And Problems In Quality Circle
Lack of faith in and support to Quality Circle activities among management personnel Lack of interest or incompetence of leaders/facilitator Apathy, fear and misunderstanding among middle level executives Delay or non-implementation of Circle recommendations Irregularity of Quality Circle activities Non-application of simple techniques for problem solving Lack of or non-participation by some members in the…
Characteristics of Quality Circle
Small group of employees – optimum of 8-10 members Members are from same work area or doing similar type of job Membership is voluntary Meet regularly for an hour every week They meet to identify, analyze, and resolve work related problems Resolve work related problems, leading improvement in their total performance. Quality circle enrich the…