This study, with 206 federal government employees, examined hypothesized relationships between degree of voluntary participation in quality circles, employee work climate perceptions, and quality circle outcome measures. Primary results revealed that the degree of voluntary participation in quality circles was positively related to following quality circle guidelines and that following quality circle guidelines was positively related to estimated economic gain. The implications of voluntary versus nonvoluntary participation on quality circle group processes and quality circle cost/benefit outcomes is discussed.
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