Final answer:
The correct term for the always ongoing process of seeking new ways to improve work quality and performance is 'continuous improvement'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of always searching for new ways to improve work quality and performance is called continuous improvement. This practice involves ongoing efforts to improve products, services, or processes. These efforts can seek 'incremental' improvement over time or 'breakthrough' improvement all at once. Among the options provided, just in time (JIT) is an inventory management strategy that aligns raw-material orders from suppliers directly with production schedules, supply chain management is a broad term that encompasses the management of the flow of goods and services from suppliers to customers, and quality circles are groups of workers who meet regularly to discuss workplace improvements. Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is c) continuous improvement.