Post on 16-Jul-2020
Revelations of a QCC Research Survey in Japan
Ichiro KotsukaExecutive Director
Union of Japanese Scientists & Engineers
ICQCC 2009, Cebu, PhilippinesOctober 23, 2009
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QC Circle Headquarters
We began the QC Circle Activities in Japan, in April, 1962. The activities spread rapidly in subsequent years. In Japan, the activities have been practiced throughout many industries from manufacturing to services. Globally, more than 70 countries and regions have introduced and promoted QC Circles.
The QC Circle Headquarters of Japan is located within the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE).
There are 9 regional offices throughout Japan as shown on the right, to facilitate and assist QC Circle activities.
QC Circle Headquarters
(JUSE)
Hokkaido Region
Tohoku Region
Hokuriku Region
Kanto Region
Tokai Region
Kinki Region
Chugoku-Shikoku Region
Kyushu Region
Okinawa Region
What is the “QCC Research Survey”?
• The QCC Research Survey is a nation-wide survey of QCC activity status in Japan.
• The survey started in 1979, is conducted every 4 to 8 years and this is the 7th
survey.• The survey was conducted respectively, to
QCC promoters who help promote QCC activities, and QCC leaders who take charge of actual QCC activities.
Part 1. Promoter Results
1. Department/Section that introducessmall group activities
13%
10%
14%
45%
35%
63%
72%
69%
65%
86%
10%
8%
14%
31%
34%
51%
57%
58%
59%
84%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Other
Sales
Service
R&D
Marketing
Design, technology
Maintenance
Administrative affairs
Materials
Manufacturing
2009
2004
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2. Participants in small group activities
47%
53%
46%
29%
5%
7%
2%
3% 8%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
2004
2009
Full‐time, part‐time, and temp‐workers all participate
Full‐time workers all participate
Full‐time, part‐time, and temp‐workers voluntarily participate
Full‐time workers voluntarily participate
Other
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3. Promotional body ofsmall group activities
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4. Promotion of e-QCC activities
32% 46% 18% 37%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Promotes e‐QCC concious circle activity
Promotes circle activity without e‐QCC in mind
Not aware of e‐QCC
Other
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5. Participants in the promotional bodyof QCC activities
64%
52%
71%
84%
75%
50%
24%
57%
53%
60%
78%
70%
48%
23%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
General staffs
Supervisory staffs
Chiefs
Deputy Managers
Managers
Executives
President
2009
2004
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6. Objectives to introducesmall group activities
3%
27%
35%
35%
3%
27%
35%
35%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
Other
To create fullfiling and cheerful work environment
To enhance circle member's skill
To contribute to the company's business result
2009
2004
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7. Composition of small group activities
4%
24%
33%
32%
96%
3%
23%
33%
40%
89%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Other
Group includes mamagers
Cross‐departmentally organized
Organized for specific themes
Departmentally organized
2009
2004
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8. Meeting time of small group activities
53%
31%
50%
40%
29%
16%
7%
40%
34%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
1996
2004
2009
During office hours During Off‐hours Both
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9. Allowance for small group activities
70% 70% 69% 66%
47%57%
18%13%
27% 29% 31% 34% 30% 20%
2% 1% 5% 10%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1983 1987 1991 1996 2004 2009
No response
Not provided
Provided depend on the activity
Provided
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10. System of internal presentation opportunity by small group activities
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11. Participation of the top management in internal presentations
92% 94% 93% 90% 90% 91%
5% 3% 4% 6% 6% 6%2% 2% 3% 4% 2% 2%1% 1% 1% 2% 1%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1983 1987 1991 1996 2004 2009
Other
Participate rarely
Participate occasionally
Participate
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12. Outcome of small group activities
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13. Evaluation of small group activities
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14. Reward system of small group activities
89%
82%
8%
13%
3%
6%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
2004
2009
Established Not established Unknown
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15. Support/guidance by seniors or managers for small group activities
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16. Problems/Issues when promotingsmall group activities
10%
1%
7%
28%
25%
33%
20%
39%
46%
41%
7%
2%
12%
22%
27%
27%
28%
33%
46%
55%
0% 20% 40% 60%
Other
Labor issue
Presentation, award, evaluation system
Not being able to achieve result
Promotion activity
Understanding from top/senior managers
Training
Saving time
Fostering a leader
Level disparity among small groups
2009
2004
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Part 2: QCC Leader Results
17. What are the contents of your business operation?
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18. What are the objectives of practicing small group activities?
6%
50%
76%
73%
7%
52%
68%
71%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Other
To create fulfilling workplace
To contribute to the company's business performance
To enhance the ability of members
2004
2009
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19. What motivates you to participate in small group activities?
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20. Who participates in your small group activities?
58%
34%
4%3%
Full‐time, part‐time, and temp‐workers all participate
Full‐time workers all participate
Full‐time, part‐time, and temp‐workers voluntarily participate
Full‐time workers voluntarily participate
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21. When are small group activity meetings held?
37%
52%
29%
22%
34%
26%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
2004
2009
During office hours During off‐hours Both
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22. How long is the average meeting time?
1
1
0
18
20
164
66
11
10
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170
181min.+
151‐180 min.
121‐150 min.
91‐120 min.
61‐90 min.
31‐60 min.
21‐30 min.
11‐20 min.
0‐10 min.
Number of circles
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23. How many themes have been solvedin the past one year?
11
85
109
35
21
7 5 3 1 1 5 2 5 3
17
65
81
2014
5 81 1 2 1 1 2
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Num
ber o
f group
s
Number of themes solved per year
2009
2004
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24. How much time is spent to solveone theme in general?
289
4845
21114
15
110
118
0002
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120
Less than 1 month
1‐1.9
2‐2.9
3‐3.9
4‐4.9
5‐5.9
6‐6.9
7‐7.9
8‐8.9
9‐9.9
10‐10.9
11‐11.9
12‐12.9
13‐13.9
14‐14.9
15‐15.9
16+
Mon
ths
Number of circles
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25. What is the level of cooperation provided by your senior/manager?
30
26. Are the themes related toyour upper policy?
93%
96%
5%
4%
2%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
2004
2009
Related Not related Other
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27. How are the themes decided?
4%
7%
3%
30%
46%
40%
5%
1%
1%
60%
45%
51%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
1996
2004
2009
Assigned by manager
Discussed among managers, staff, leaders
Requested from other departments
Discussed among members
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28. What are the main aims ofsetting themes?
2%
2%
3%
5%
2%
8%
6%
14%
16%
30%
2%
3%
3%
3%
4%
4%
5%
12%
17%
29%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
To enhance management level
To enhance working environment
To enhance service
To improve equipment
To avoid mistakes
To enhance CS
To save cost
To enhance efficiency
To reduce cost
To enhance quality
2009
2004
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29. What is the procedure used to solve themes?
0%
13%
50%
86%
1%
16%
37%
86%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Other
Measure‐implementing procedure
Task‐achieving procedure
Problem‐solving procedure
2009
2004
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30. Is it useful to listen to presentations by other circles in different organization?
93% 88% 84% 86% 82% 77%
7% 12% 9% 13% 18% 22%
2% 1% 1%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1983 1987 1991 1996 2004 2009
Not useful
Neither
Useful
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31. What are the outcomes by playing the role of QCC leader?
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32. What are the outcomes of small group activities as a circle?
49%
47%
24%
11%
5%
3%
4%
2%
17%
34%
1%
1%
2%
1%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
2004
2009
Raised more awareness toward problems
Increased knowledge
Higher motivation toward one's work
Established better communication
Enhanced teamwork
Other
No specific outcome
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33. What are the outcomes of small group activities for business operation and the environment?
17%
18%
32%
26%
11%
17%
20%
19%
11%
10%
4%
5%
2%
3%
4%
2%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
2004
2009
Improved workplace environment
Enabled to work smoothly with less burden
Enhanced productivity
Improved quality
Reduced cost
Prompted better collaboration with other departments
Other
No specific outcome
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34. Are there any issues/problems in promoting small group activities?
82% 82% 86% 79% 77% 74%
18% 17% 14% 21% 23% 26%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1983 1987 1991 1996 2004 2009
There are no issues
There are difficulties when promoting activity
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35. What external education and training would you like to attend?
3%
7%
25%
14%
22%
26%
32%
29%
33%
26%
5%
16%
20%
22%
23%
28%
28%
31%
32%
35%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Other
Safety management
Statistical method, DOE
Coaching
Fundamentals of QM
Promotion of small group activity
Fundamental of QC tools(e.g.Q7, N7)
Task‐achieving
Leadership
Problem‐solving
2009
2004
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36. Do you intend to continuesmall group activities?
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Please use the information!
Any information will become meaningfuland valuable when reasonable decisions are
made based on the information andfurthermore implemented.
We expect that this presentation willcontribute to your sensible decision-making
as well as your QCC activities & their promotionnext year in 2010.
And…Bring your best achievements
to:
Ichiro KotsukaExecutive Director
Union of Japanese Scientists & Engineers
ICQCC’11-Yokohama, JapanSeptember 11 to 14, 2011
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