Changing attitudes toward quality - An exploratory study

Each year firms spend millions of dollars on training efforts to improve employees' attitudes toward quality. Yet a review of the literature reveals very little rigorous research has been conducted to evaluate how successful these programs have been. Therefore, to test the effectiveness of one training program, a Solomon Four Group field quasi-experiment was conducted. Specifically, this study examined whether or not there was a relationship between participants' learning style, perceived program structure, prior experience with quality programs, age, and years of service with subsequent changes in attitudes toward quality. The results indicated that in this program the group receiving a pretest and training had significantly higher posttest attitudes toward quality scores. Implications for implementing a quality improvement program are discussed.