AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE IMPACT OF USING QUALITY CIRCLES TO SOLVE WORK-RELATED PROBLEMS( A CASE STUDY IN THE ENGLISH UNIT OF DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SCIENCES DEVELOPMENT IN DHOFAR REGION-SULTANATE OF OMAN)
The research is a case study that aims to explore if quality circles can be a valuable tool to solve work-related problems in English unit in Dhofar Region, Sultanate of Oman. The researcher used checklists, observations and interviews to answer the research questions. Fourteen supervisors and the senior supervisor participated in this study by conducting quality circles in the second semester for four months and working together to solve major problems they face at work. The results of the study show that quality circles can be a useful tool for solving problems. There are many benefits for using quality circles to solve problems such as promoting job involvement and sense of participation, developing communication, enhancing group work and developing the skills of problem solving. Applying quality circles in semester two made it difficult for supervisors to implement their solution appropriately as they planed because of lack of time, which could be considered as a major factor that may affect the success of quality circles. Hence, the study recommended to establish Quality Circles from the beginning of the academic year in the English section of Dhofar region. Further research in other parts of Oman is needed to study the use of quality circles in the work of supervisors more widely.
Keywords: Quality Circles, Work-related Problems.