Abstract
M.A.
The management of human resources is becoming increasingly important for the continued existence of South African organisations. Political, economic, technological and demographic pressure is forcing organisations to change. Employee involvement through the activation of small groups is of crucial importance to organisations that have to adapt to a fast-changing environment. Organisations must establish the necessary climate, structures and processes that effect teamwork, flexibility and quality service-rendering in a supportive way. Quality circles are an improvement intervention for organisations, which is based on the principle of participative management. Quality circles are aimed at improving individuals' working conditions through participative management, which will
promote self-management in support of an organisation's objectives. The successful implementation of quality circles results in motivated employees who will give the organisation the necessary competitive edge to tackle challenges in a dynamic way.
At a time when matters such as transformation, affirmative action and equal opportunities play an important part in the South African Police Service, training education and development are of cardinal importance. The correct implementation of the participative management style serves as the basis of an organisation's success. The quality
circles technique sets guidelines for the correct implementation of the participative management style. The participative management style has a positive impact on
performance, production, morale and job satisfaction. Numerous research findings prove that participative management does indeed make a difference. Quality circles represent a technique that facilitates the process of participative management. The need for an interventionist strategy to facilitate the process of development and change within the South African Police Service has been identified. This study subscribes the said need
since its objective is to make recommendations that could be of value to the South African Police Service. An exploratory study was done with regard to the implementation
of the participative management style in the South African Police Service. Data was gathered by means of questionnaires that were processed quantitatively, with the purpose of establishing to what extent the SAPS is experiencing the need for quality circles
and which problems should be addressed by means of quality circles. Through this study the SAPS was made aware of the advantages and the functioning of the quality circles for the effective implementation of the participative management style. The recommendations are practical an could lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction. Qualitative data was gathered by means of and extensive literary study and quantitative data was gathered by means of questionnaires. The trustworthiness of the method of gathering the qualitative data was confirmed by means of literaturecontrole
The reliability and validity of the method of gathering the quantitative data was confirmed by means of a factor analysis.