Human resources will have to deal with the negative effects and how the employees respond to them. In the process oriented organization, there are fewer kinds of jobs, because people move boldly across functional boundaries, doing whatever needs to be done to satisfy customers. When a process is reengineered, it usually becomes more automated allowing for fewer employees needed to complete the process. These cuts involve management as well. The redesign of the complete process eliminates steps in every department when it is done right.
Technology is used to eliminate steps and errors.
Reengineering requires that you keep that mind open. It is difficult to judge at the present time whether quality circles are growing, remaining stable or shrinking. The quality circles started in the United States about 1974 seem to be fading out. Human resources management has to put more training into quality circles to keep the interest up. Questions arise about the attitudes of older workers towards these initiatives.