This study fundamentally aimed to research an approach through autonomous management group activities to address the productivity improvement problem of Korean manufacturing firms. To this end, theories on small group activities were first reviewed through relevant literature, and based on this, a research model and hypotheses were established and empirically tested. Productivity improvement is achievable through the efficient allocation and management of human resources and physical resources. Autonomous management group activities, including quality control circle activities, represent one approach to productivity improvement based on human resource management. Accordingly, this study established a research model positing that the revitalization of autonomous management group activities and the improvement of quality of work life (QWL) and motivation have a considerably high positive correlation, which in turn would manifest as the outcome variable of productivity improvement. Upon examining the research hypotheses supporting this model, it was demonstrated that if activities faithful to the fundamental principles of autonomous management groups are carried out, this constitutes a highly meaningful productivity improvement approach applicable to Korean manufacturing firms.