In this article I discuss the relationship between participative programs and the performance of quality management efforts. The hypothesis is that higher levels of employee participation contribute to the generation of an organizational climate favorable to the implementation of modern quality techniques. The research was based on a sample of 19 autopart firms. The major analytical step was to empirically verify how the degree of employee participation affected the introduction of quality management programs. Criteria were established to measure results both in the quality enhancement sphere and in terms of employee participation.
participation; quality management; human resources
