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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2

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

5

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

6

3. Promotional body ofsmall group activities

7

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

10

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?

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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

33

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

34

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?

36

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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