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The purpose of this paper is to unravel the success story of a family business, while engaging with debates in business and management research through the application of corporate strategy frameworks. Implement a structured methodology to evaluate a company’s strategic efforts and explore how businesses historically achieved competitive advantages over time.

This company analysis adopts a longitudinal approach on competitive advantages, moving beyond traditional cross-sectional business to transform static models into dynamic ones. It adheres to Michael Porter’s Value Chain model (1985) and his subsequent revisions (1996, 2001) to explore how competitive advantages emerge and are sustained. Data exploration leverages an extensive archival corporate collection comprising approximately 100,000 documents, enabling a thorough examination of value chain activities through primary and secondary sources.

Chocolates Amatller effectively channelled its competitive advantages through strategic operational areas, including purchasing cocoa at prices below market value, using strong marketing tools such as illustrative collectible cards and posters and implementing skilful financial strategies.

Examine why, when and how a Spanish chocolatier achieved a position of prominence among Spain’s foremost industrial figures by constructing Barcelona’s iconic Casa Amatller.

The purpose of this study is to apply bibliometric techniques to critically examine the contributions of Professor (Dr) Jiju Antony in the domain of quality management research over a period close to 30 years (i.e. 1995 to 2023).

The study incorporates a bibliometric analysis approach using VoSviewer software package to critically examine the contributions and trends in publications on Scopus indexed publications of Antony, followed by an industry wide evaluation of contributions made. Thematic analysis of the bibliographic data was imported in comma-separated values (CSV) format by selecting Antony (last name) and Jiju (first name) in the author search tab in Scopus. The search was made on September 09, 2023 and bibliographic records of 429 documents were considered for the analysis. The analysis was carried out in terms of most frequent keywords used, sources with most frequent publications, thematic analysis of most cited works and global collaborations.

Antony has focused his research interest largely in the domain of quality management, publishing his research in top rated journals in the domain with a broad network of international collaborators. Antony has received 18,802 and 40,947 citations in Scopus and Google Scholar, respectively. This signifies the impact that Antony has created through his research publications. His major contributions are on the topics of six sigma, lean six sigma, continuous improvement, critical success factors and quality management practice implementations in various organizations. Diverse methodologies both qualitative and quantitative were utilized to conduct his research. However, his body of work is not without criticism. Such criticism includes the limited scope of work, with narrow focus on ISO 9001 and QMS standards, Total Quality Management (TQM). Critique also highlights the necessity for more depth, following insufficient exploration of distinctions between TQM and operational excellence (OPEX) methodologies like lean, six sigma, kaizen and agile. Antony’s work has yet to consider a diverse range of industry sectors, in terms of implementation of quality management principles, geographical location, the impact of national culture on corporate performance and explore data quality influence on decision-making. Notably, there is clear opportunity to consider the service sector in future research.

To best of the authors’ knowledge, there are few previous studies conducted using bibliometric analysis for analyzing the work of an individual. Therefore, the present study aims to set a trend whereby bibliometric analysis can be used to recognize and critically asses the contributions of other researchers in their respective domains.

Despite the global success of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) operations, they are frequently criticised for failing to improve a company’s financial performance. This study investigated and contrasted the financial advantages of LSS, Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and Lean Six Sigma 4.0 (LSS4.0) practices in China and the United States.

We conducted statistical analyses using online databases. We applied regression analysis to quantitatively analyse 32,813 responding organisation data from 3,691 A-share manufacturing companies in China and 5,931 responding organisation data from 570 publicly traded manufacturing firms in the United States.

This study discovered the following findings: (1) American companies are paying less attention to LSS, which is gradually becoming more important in Chinese business strategy. (2) There is a strong positive relationship between LSS implementation and financial performance in China. Nonetheless, the financial impact of LSS is less significant in post-industrial countries such as the United States. (3) There is compelling evidence in the Chinese context for the significant impact of higher LSS maturity levels on the financial performance of publicly traded manufacturing firms. However, the financial benefits of higher LSS maturity levels in the United States are less pronounced. (4) Despite frequent discussions in China and the United States, implementing I4.0 and related technologies has yet to yield the desired results, particularly in the United States. (5) LSS4.0 significantly improves organisational financial performance.

This study explored the impact of LSS, I4.0 and LSS4.0 on financial performance and conducted an international comparative study from a big data perspective.

This paper aims to conduct an inclusive bibliometric review of the International Journal of Lean Six Sigma (IJLSS) to elucidate the scholarly landscape, growth trends, impact, mappings, couplings, networking and thematic evolution within the field of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) research.

Using advanced bibliometric techniques, including network analysis and clustering, this study examines the publication output of IJLSS since its inception in 2010. The analysis focuses on identifying key contributors, mapping collaborative networks, tracing thematic evolution and exploring emerging research trends. The study is executed as per the proposed easy-to-understand methodology, containing well-structured nine segments hitting various critical-bibliometrics of IJLSS along with their respective implications.

The review reveals substantial growth in the publication output of IJLSS, with India emerging as a prominent contributor. Keywords such as “Lean”, “Six Sigma”, “Quality Management”, “Operational Excellence”, “Supply Chain Management”, “Industry 4.0” and “Sustainability” emerge as central themes, reflecting the journal’s focus on process improvement methodologies along with corresponding case studies. Collaborative networks among authors and countries are robust, indicating the global reach of LSS scholarship. Emerging research trends highlight areas of potential future exploration within the field.

Limitations of this study include the reliance on bibliometric data and the exclusion of nonindexed sources. However, the findings offer valuable insights into the scholarly landscape of IJLSS, providing researchers and practitioners with a comprehensive overview of LSS research inclinations and developments.

This paper contributes to the literature by providing a detailed analysis of LSS research published in IJLSS through a unique approach and future directions. The study adds to existing knowledge by mapping collaborative networks, tracing thematic couplings and identifying emerging research clusters within the ever evolving domain of LSS.

This study investigates the adoption and effects of operational excellence methodologies on sustainable performance within the sector, drawing insights from 18 global quality management experts.

Utilizing a phenomenological approach alongside constant comparison, classical content and taxonomy analysis, qualitative data from semi-structured interviews are rigorously examined. The study examines the challenges and outcomes of implementing lean, six sigma and lean six sigma, particularly in the financial, social and environmental realms. By integrating academic research with real-world applications, this research identifies challenges and opportunities across diverse service industries, with the aim of informing best practices for practitioners.

The findings highlight a significant impact on financial outcomes, with lean six sigma implementations predominantly enhancing financial performance. However, perceptions differ regarding sustainability and the acknowledgment of such impact. In terms of social performance, opinions vary from consistently positive impact to a dual effect – both positive and negative. Regarding environmental impact, perspectives range from limited to significant positive outcomes. Additionally, quantitative analysis of operational measures underscores a noteworthy emphasis on financial performance, with a grand average of 4.23. Social performance marginally surpasses environmental performance, with averages of 3.01 and 2.95, respectively.

The critical role of the service sector in modern economies highlights the imperative for enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability. The findings highlight the importance of proactively integrating lean six sigma principles into the operational frameworks of service organizations to optimize both operational and sustainable performance.

In a highly competitive and globalised era, agile organisations proactively steer towards sustainability. This situation persuaded the organisations to align Quality Management (QM) initiatives to achieve sustainable outcomes. This study aims to explore quality–sustainability linkage, explicitly focusing on attaining the prestigious IAQ Quality Sustainability Award. Further it investigates, the impact of QM as a strategy for promoting sustainability to meet sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Due to the lack of substantial literature connecting QM to sustainability, the current research adopted an explanatory multiple-case study. Six cases were purposively chosen for the study. Three cases of those who have achieved the prestigious IAQ Quality Sustainability Award and remaining have been selected that have fallen short of receiving the award. A detailed within-case and cross-case examinations involving six cases that reported their QM achievements aligned with SDGs.

The findings demonstrate the significant role of QM adoption in achieving positive results from the perspective of SDGs, such as reduced environmental impacts, improved operational efficiency and enhanced quality of life. Effective stakeholder collaboration, proficiency in analytical tools and strategic alignment with SDGs emerged as critical success factors. Conversely, weak linkage with sustainability and unclear approaches were crucial challenges in attaining the IAQ Quality Sustainability Award.

This paper outlines essential commandments for organisations actively seeking to promote sustainability. It offers valuable insights for decision-makers, facilitating a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities in pursuing sustainable performance.

The distinctive nature of this study lies in its dedicated exploration of the intricate relationship between QM deployment and its true impact on the achievement of the SDGs.

Quality management (QM) plays a pivotal role in driving organisational efforts to enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. This study aims to explore the most important themes in QM over the past three decades, identifying and analysing the top ten key themes that have shaped the field during this period. This study, involving leading academics and industry practitioners, lays the groundwork for a three-to-four-year exploration of the most influential QM themes worldwide.

The authors conducted a comprehensive review of QM literature over the last three decades from top specialist journals on QM. This is followed by conducting a global pilot survey with leading academics and practitioners to pinpoint the top ten dominant themes of QM for organisations to leverage in gaining and maintaining a competitive edge.

The top ten themes of QM, as identified by authors through input from academics and practitioners worldwide, offer valuable insights for companies of all sizes and sectors. These themes serve as a guide for the successful and sustainable implementation of QM practices and continuous improvement strategies.

Despite a limited sample size, the initial findings provide a glimpse into critical themes. Over the next three years, as the study progresses, we anticipate potential changes in the results. Notably, the comparison of themes between manufacturing and services as well as large and small enterprises, remains unexplored in the current investigation.

The authors of this study assert that their research will pave the way for future themes in the digitalization era. Moreover, this research stands out as one of the most exhaustive examinations from both academic and practitioner viewpoints, offering a unique perspective not commonly found in existing literature.

Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies and practices are changing the way quality is managed in organizations, giving rise to the movement known as “Quality 4.0” (Q4.0). In this context, this study aims to analyze the barriers organizations face when trying to implement Q4.0 and to examine whether there are significant differences according to size, sector, level of excellence and degree of readiness for Q4.0 implementation.

The sample comprises 107 Spanish organizations with some form of European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) excellence recognition system. The methodology includes multivariate techniques (factor analysis and mean difference analysis).

The study has managed to summarize the ten main barriers to the implementation of Q4.0 identified in the literature in three groups: organizational (five barriers), knowledge (two barriers) and technological (three barriers). The main barriers are the high investment in technology required to implement Q4.0 and the need for more training and competence of workers. In addition, SMEs encounter more significant technological barriers when implementing Q4.0 than large companies. However, organizational and knowledge barriers are the same. Organizations in the service sector come across more organizational and knowledge barriers to implementing Q4.0 than industrial organizations; no differences were identified for technological barriers. The higher the EFQM seal of excellence achieved, the lower the knowledge barriers faced, with no differences in organizational and technological barriers. Finally, it is observed that the more prepared organizations are to implement Q4.0, the lower the barriers they face.

The study helps managers identify the barriers they may encounter when implementing Q4.0, which helps design short- and long-term plans to mitigate or break down these barriers.

The study provides empirical evidence on an organization’s barriers to implementing Q4.0. On the other hand, the barriers are related to some of the relevant characteristics that define the organizations, such as their size, the sector of activity, their level of excellence and their degree of preparation for implementing Q4.0.

Operationnal excellence has emerged as a critical factor for organisations competitiveness. Companies in developing countries are striving to elevate their operational performance to new heights. This study aims to explore the effective best practices, drivers and challenges to operational excellence in North African business.

To address the objectives of this study, a qualitative approach is adopted. A total of 13 experienced professionals holding leads initiatives within North African enterprises are surveyed. Following, content analysis method is employed to extract, categorise and analyse the knowledge from the interviews.

The findings indicate that the implemented best practices include process optimisation, performance measurement, standardisation, customer-centric approach, lean manufacturing and total quality management. For a successful adoption, the results shed light on the importance of leadership commitment, upskilling, digitalisation and employee’s empowerment. However, the implementation faces several challenges incorporating unsustainable engagement, resistance to change, disconnected practices, insufficient investment, deficient improvement assessment and limited access to digitalisation.

This study contributes to exploring the best practices, enablers and barriers to successful implementation of operational excellence in emerging economies. Its findings can be used by scholars and decision-makers to advance knowledge around operational excellence, broaden the existing strategies to tailor specific contexts and promote operational performance.

This paper aims to highlight how the six sigma methods helped the medical equipment manufacturing company in finding and analysing the root causes that lead to the reduction in production rate, rejection rates, quality and other major causes that lead to the reduction in productivity of the blood bags manufacturing unit.

Given the critical nature of blood bag manufacturing Six Sigma was chosen as the primary methodology for this research since Six Sigma’s data-driven approach provides a structured framework to identify, analyse and rectify inefficiencies in the production processes. This study proposes the Six Sigma DMAIC (D-Define, M-Measure, A-Analyse, I-Improve, C-Control) encompassing rigorous problem definition, precise measurement, thorough analysis, improvement and vigilant control mechanisms for effectively attaining predetermined objectives.

The paper demonstrates how the Six Sigma principles were executed in a blood bag manufacturing unit. After a detailed and thorough data analysis, it was found that a total of 40 critical-to-quality factors under the five drivers such as Machine, Components, Inspection and Testing, People and Workspace were influential factors affecting the manufacturing of blood bags. From the study, it is identified that the drivers such as inspection and testing, components and machines contribute significantly to increasing productivity.

The paper offers valuable strategic insights into implementing Six Sigma methodologies within the specific context of a blood bag manufacturing unit. The Six Sigma tools and techniques used by the project team to solve issues within the blood bag manufacturing unit can be used for similar healthcare organizations to successfully deploy Six Sigma. The insights from this research might not be directly applicable to other manufacturing facilities or industries but can be used as a guiding reference for researchers and managers.

The current state of scholarly literature indicates a significant absence in the examination of Six Sigma methodologies designed specifically to improve production output in healthcare equipment manufacturing. This paper highlights the application of Six Sigma principles to enhance efficiency in the specific context of blood bag manufacturing.