Across-Unit Quality Circles and Problem Solving Networks: Evidence from a Field Experiment

Last registered on November 15, 2024
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Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Across-Unit Quality Circles and Problem Solving Networks: Evidence from a Field Experiment
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0014724
Initial registration date
November 08, 2024

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published
November 15, 2024, 1:41 PM EST

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Locations

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Primary Investigator

Name
Fabian Sting
Affiliation
University of Cologne / Erasmus University Rotterdam
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Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Name
Matthias Heinz
PI Affiliation
University of Cologne
Contact Investigator
PI Name
Felix Mosner
PI Affiliation
University of Cologne
Contact Investigator
PI Name
Maik Schlickel
PI Affiliation
Independent
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Additional Trial Information

Status
On going
Start date
2021-08-18
End date
2025-01-31
Keywords
Firms & Productivity
Additional Keywords
JEL code(s)
Secondary IDs
AEARCTR-0008103
Prior work
This trial is based on or builds upon one or more prior RCTs.
Abstract
Using a follow-up study (including an employee survey) on a previously registered and implemented RCT (AEARCTR-0008103), we examine the long-term effect of across-unit quality circles on employees' problem solving network.
External Link(s)
Registration of the original RCT.

Registration Citation

Citation
Heinz, Matthias et al. 2024. "Across-Unit Quality Circles and Problem Solving Networks: Evidence from a Field Experiment." AEA RCT Registry. November 15. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.14724-1.0
Sponsors & Partners
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
As described in AEARCTR-0008103.
Intervention Start Date
2021-08-18
Intervention End Date
2021-10-31

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
In this study that follows up on AEARCTR-0008103, we seek to study long-term quality problem solving links that have formed between the participants as an effect of the original across-unit quality circles RCT. We use the specific design of our original RCT that allows to analyze a first-stage treatment effect (the participation in across-unit quality circles), as well as to examine a second-stage effect of our RCT (interaction with specific across-unit colleagues in the quality circles).
Primary Outcomes (explanation)
We will compare the behavior of a focal employee to contact a colleague who participated in the same across-unit quality circle versus the likelihood to contact any other random colleague from another unit for quality problem-solving support. We will investigate the role of physical distance between employees for this effect, its sustainability over time, as well as the role of quality (length and topics) of quality circles for this effect.

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Spill-over network expansion effects from across-unit quality circles.
Emergence of domain "experts" through across-unit quality circles.
Strength of ties to problem-solving experts.
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)
Spill-over network expansion effects from across-unit quality circles: Did across-unit contacts, which emerged from across-unit quality circles, spill-over to within-unit/local colleagues?
Emergence of domain "experts" through across-unit quality circles: Are there particular employees that are contacted by many other employees for specific problem-solving support?
Strength of ties to problem-solving experts: How frequently do employees contact the connections from across-unit quality circles?

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
As described in AEARCTR-0008103.
Experimental Design Details
Not available
Randomization Method
As described in AEARCTR-0008103.
Randomization Unit
As described in AEARCTR-0008103.
Was the treatment clustered?
Yes

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
As described in AEARCTR-0008103.
Sample size: planned number of observations
With a total population of about 300 employees currently in the company's order processing department, we expect a response of about 200 employees, given response rates on past surveys. 142 employees were treated in AEARCTR-0008103; the company implemented a roll-out of the RCT for other employees consecutively.
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
As described in AEARCTR-0008103.
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
Supporting Documents and Materials
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
ERB University of Cologne
IRB Approval Date
2021-05-04
IRB Approval Number
Original RCT 210012MH
Analysis Plan