QUALITY CIRCLES: AN EVALUATION OF ITS IMPLEMENTATION IN AN URBAN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY (ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT).
Contributors: Columbia University. Teachers College.
Published: 1991
Number of pages: 115
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Health Sciences, Health Care Management.
Description: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of quality circles on the organizational commitment and effectiveness of registered nurses in an urban long-term health care facility. Two groups of nurses were selected. One group consisted of 15 foreign-recruited nurses; the other group included 15 locally-recruited nurses. Quality circles were implemented following guidelines which included managerial support, voluntary membership, and education of group members and group leaders in group process and problem-solving techniques focussing on clinical practical issues.

T-tests and ANCOVA procedures showed that organizational commitment, as measured by the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire, was significantly associated with involvement among the locally-recruited nurses who participated in quality circles.

Responses to qualitative questionnaires on organizational effectiveness by clinical supervisors, group leaders and quality circle participants reported positive professional and personal effects on staff. The quality circle process helped improve intra- and interdisciplinary communication, leadership, problem-solving skills, and interdepartmental cooperation.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 52-02, Section: B, page: 0745.

Thesis (ED.D.)--COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY TEACHERS COLLEGE, 1991.

School code: 0055.