When were Quality Circles first introduced?

The introduction of Quality Circles began in the late 1960s and became prominent in the 1970s, particularly in Japan. However, the specific year often referenced for their rise in popularity, especially in terms of their structured approach and dissemination within organizations, is 1979. That year is significant as it marks the point when Quality Circles garnered international attention and started to spread beyond Japan to other countries, influencing quality management practices globally. Quality Circles focus on empowering employees to contribute to problem-solving and quality improvement initiatives within their workgroups, making them an essential part of participative management and quality enhancement in organizations.