B. Tjahjono, P. Ball, V.I. Vitanov, C. Scorzafave, J. Nogueira, J. Calleja, M. Minguet, L. Narasimha, A. Rivas, A. Srivastava, S. Srivastava and A. Yadav
The purpose of the work presented in this paper is to capture the current state of Six Sigma as well as to document the current practices of Six Sigma through a systematic…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the work presented in this paper is to capture the current state of Six Sigma as well as to document the current practices of Six Sigma through a systematic literature review so as to extend and update the previous work of Brady and Allen.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach to this paper is to answer the questions such as “what is Six Sigma?”, “what are the applications of the Six Sigma?”, “what are the main enablers and barriers to its application?” and “what are the emerging trends?” These questions are used to guide the search of papers from various publication databases even if it is expected that existing literature might not be sufficiently developed to translate each question directly into a finding. The literature is then analysed and the major emerging themes are presented.
Findings
Seven key findings (topics on which the views of the authors converged) and two issues (topics on which authors had differing views) have been established. These include the interpretation of Six Sigma, tools and techniques, implementation of Six Sigma, benefits, adoption, enablers and links to other disciplines.
Originality/value
The systematic literature review approach used in this paper allows emerging trends and issues in Six Sigma to be highlighted in a structured and thematic manner, enabling the future work to progress as Six Sigma continues to develop and evolve. The findings also open up new opportunities to apply Six Sigma in the fields that are not widely explored before for instance sustainability and product‐service systems.
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Silvia Albareda-Tiana, Salvador Vidal-Raméntol and Mónica Fernández-Morilla
The purpose of this case study is to explore the principles and practices of sustainable development (SD) in the university curriculum.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this case study is to explore the principles and practices of sustainable development (SD) in the university curriculum.
Design/methodology/approach
To explore the principles linked with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the learning and teaching practices in sustainability at the International University of Catalonia (Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, UIC, in Catalan), an empirical study was carried out by using a mixed methodology for data collection. Indicators related to SDGs found in the University curriculum (quantitative analysis) were measured using Excel, combined with in-depth semi-structured interviews to the deans of different faculties (qualitative study), which were analysed using Atlas.ti.
Findings
Several visions, difficulties and challenges were identified in this mixed-method study around the concept of sustainability, which allowed the authors to describe and portray a specific starting position in relation to the SDGs at the UIC.
Research limitations/implications
The presence of dimensions linked to the SDGs in the University curriculum were analysed by means of a quantitative study. However, global competences related to education for sustainable development were not studied.
Practical implications
Special emphasis was given to the challenges and opportunities for training future graduates and the whole University community in SD.
Originality/value
This paper shows a methodological exploration of the principles related to the SDGs and the learning and teaching practices in sustainability in higher education.
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Ion Yarritu, Nahia Idoiaga Mondragon, Inge Axpe Saez and Cristina Arriaga
The educational community – particularly higher education – should contribute to the new generation’s understanding of what sustainability entails. To do this, teachers must be…
Abstract
Purpose
The educational community – particularly higher education – should contribute to the new generation’s understanding of what sustainability entails. To do this, teachers must be aware of the need for education for sustainability. However, little is known about how university teachers understand or represent sustainability. This study aims to bridge the gap identified in the literature concerning university teachers’ representation of sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 403 teachers from the University of the Basque Country participated in the study through a free association exercise based on the grid elaboration method.
Findings
In general terms, teachers are aware of the three dimensions that constitute sustainability, but differences were found in the way sustainability was represented depending on several factors such as the teaching field, previous knowledge of the 2030 Agenda and gender. Despite awareness of the need to incorporate sustainability, there was also reticence toward the way in which sustainability is being addressed in higher education. Those results were discussed considering the previous literature on sustainability.
Practical implications
The results allow the authors to conclude that knowledge of the 2030 Agenda leads teachers to have a more complete representation and greater recognition of sustainability. Thus, it would be necessary for universities to offer more training to teachers to promote a holistic understanding of sustainability and facilitate its incorporation into teaching.
Originality/value
The use of this method made it possible to collect, in a less biased and much more direct way, the teachers’ voices, to know the type of representation (holistic) or partial (only one of its dimensions: environmental, economic or social) that they have of sustainability, and to check whether their representation was linked to specific factors.
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Cristina Miralles-Cardona, Esther Chiner and María-Cristina Cardona-Moltó
This study aims to assess future teachers’ beliefs in their capabilities for sustainable gender equality (GE) practice after graduation and to analyze differences across degree…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to assess future teachers’ beliefs in their capabilities for sustainable gender equality (GE) practice after graduation and to analyze differences across degree and sex using a self-efficacy scale specifically designed and validated for this study.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was administered to three cohorts of undergraduate and graduate student teachers at the University of Alicante, Spain. Using a convenience sample that represented the three teacher majors in early childhood, elementary and secondary education, 610 students were asked to rate their confidence in gender knowledge, skills and awareness using a six-point Likert scale.
Findings
Upon graduation, teachers reported unrealistic perceptions of their ability to practice a sustainable GE. The level of self-efficacy was found moderate in the three teacher cohorts with no statistically significant differences across degrees in any of the three efficacy components but gender attitudes were rated significantly higher by female students.
Originality/value
This study provides a reliable and valid instrument specifically helpful for guiding the education for the sustainable development (SD) of GE in instructional settings. Because there is no systemic approach to teaching sustainability nor valid and reliable instruments to assess gender competence for practicing a gender pedagogy, this tool will hopefully provide teacher education institutions a conceptual and practical framework on how GE can successfully be mainstreamed into the curriculum. Infusing SD of GE in curricula and assessing interventions as a habitual practice could be useful to monitor sustainability performance over time and assess contributions to SDG5.
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Salvador Baena-Morales, Mayra Urrea-Solano, Diego Gavilán-Martin and Alberto Ferriz-Valero
Education for Sustainable Development (EDS) has highlighted the need to generate instruments to assess the sustainability competencies of different populations. In this regard…
Abstract
Purpose
Education for Sustainable Development (EDS) has highlighted the need to generate instruments to assess the sustainability competencies of different populations. In this regard, Physical Education (PE) has been recognized as a subject with unique characteristics that allow students to develop competencies that favor sustainability. However, in previous literature, there are no specific instruments to assess the competencies of future Physical Education teachers (PETs). Therefore, this research aims to design and validate an instrument to assess sustainable competencies in future PETs.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper shows the validation process of a questionnaire designed ad hoc to measure the future teacher's sustainable competencies. In total, 341 students completed the Physical Education Scale for Sustainable Development in Future Teachers (PESD-FT) questionnaire consisting of 20 items and an eight-point Likert scale. To ensure the relationship of the instrument's items with the sustainable development, the specific targets that compose the 17 Sustainable Development Goals were considered.
Findings
The results showed that the instrument had very high reliability (0.949), excellently fulfilling the validity criteria (0.929). Furthermore, the principal component factor analysis results showed that the PESD-FT comprises three factors, which coincide with the three dimensions of sustainability.
Originality/value
It is concluded that PESD-FT is an instrument that reliably assesses the sustainable competencies of prospective PET and expands the possibilities of PE as a valuable instrument to promote sustainable competencies in an integrated way with PE learning objectives. As such, it can be a robust and valuable measurement tool for proposing effective education for sustainable development policies and programs in initial teacher education for PET.
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Ana Lendínez-Turón, Cándida María Domínguez-Valerio, Francisco Orgaz-Agüera and Salvador Moral-Cuadra
The purpose of this research paper is to adapt and validate a useful instrument to diagnose the knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and intention to participate (KABIP) towards…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research paper is to adapt and validate a useful instrument to diagnose the knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and intention to participate (KABIP) towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in higher education institutions (HEIs) from the public administration in developing countries.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was carried out using the Delphi technique, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). For the Delphi method, 30 experts participated in three rounds. For the EFA and CFA, a sample of 790 people was selected. The instrument items were extracted from relevant scales on the topic.
Findings
The reliability and internal consistency of the instrument were tested and confirmed. Therefore, this study gives a scientific tool to measure the KABIP towards SDGs in different sectors of the public administration, and it can be used in developing countries.
Originality/value
The new questionnaire with 66 items and four dimensions can be used to diagnose KABIP towards SDGs at HEIs in developing countries. It has a very important implications because, although attention for SDGs around the world is increasing, only a limited number of valid scientific instrument that measure aspects related to it is available. Furthermore, the knowledge, attitudes, behaviour and intention to participate scale can facilitate the creation of new strategies regarding SDGs in developing countries.
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Surya Prakash, Satish Kumar, Gunjan Soni, Raj V. Mahto and Nitesh Pandey
This study aims to present an overview of leading research trends in the lean six sigma domain published in the International Journal of Lean Six Sigma (IJLSS) since its inception.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to present an overview of leading research trends in the lean six sigma domain published in the International Journal of Lean Six Sigma (IJLSS) since its inception.
Design/methodology/approach
The study analyses articles published between 2010 and 2019 in IJLSS using the bibliometric technique. The results of data analysis identify the most prolific authors, their affiliation, citation trends and highly cited articles from the journal. Further, a graphical analysis involving bibliographic coupling and co-citation analysis of the corpus enriches the investigation.
Findings
The results of the bibliometric analysis suggest that the number of IJLSS’s publications and citations grew markedly over time (from 4 citations in 2010 to nearly 1,324 in 2019). The organizational diversity and collaboration among authors publishing in IJLSS are trending upwards. Case study and focus group are the two most common research designs in publications. In the study, three major themes emerged: implementation of lean on business, integration of lean and six sigma and the effects of lean six sigma on businesses.
Practical implications
The study finding informs and educates practitioners and scholars about various qualitative research tools, applications and methods of implementing lean six sigma tools in different industry sectors.
Originality/value
The study uses bibliometric analysis to propose a novel categorization of research published in IJLSS and to report on the utilization of various lean tools in the journal. The study provides guidance for new future research besides offering a thorough introspection of the lean and six sigma domains.
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Fatma Pakdil, Pelin Toktaş and Gülin Feryal Can
The purpose of this study is to develop a methodology in which alternate Six Sigma projects are prioritized and selected using appropriate multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop a methodology in which alternate Six Sigma projects are prioritized and selected using appropriate multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods in healthcare organizations. This study addresses a particular gap in implementing a systematic methodology for Six Sigma project prioritization and selection in the healthcare industry.
Design/methodology/approach
This study develops a methodology in which alternate Six Sigma projects are prioritized and selected using a modified Kemeny median indicator rank accordance (KEMIRA-M), an MCDM method based on a case study in healthcare organizations. The case study was hypothetically developed in the healthcare industry and presented to demonstrate the proposed framework’s applicability and validity for future decision-makers who will take place in Six Sigma project selection processes.
Findings
The study reveals that the Six Sigma project prioritized by KEMIRA-M assign the highest ranks to patient satisfaction, revenue enhancement and sigma level benefit criteria, while resource utilization and process cycle time receive the lowest rank.
Practical implications
The methodology developed in this paper proposes an MCDM-based approach for practitioners to prioritize and select Six Sigma projects in the healthcare industry. The findings regarding patient satisfaction and revenue enhancement mesh with the current trends that dominate and regulate the industry. KEMIRA-M provides flexibility for Six Sigma project selection and uses multiple criteria in two-criteria groups, simultaneously. In this study, a more objective KEMIRA-M method was suggested by implementing two different ranking-based weighting approaches.
Originality/value
This is the first study that implements KEMIRA-M in Six Sigma project prioritization and selection process in the healthcare industry. To overcome previous KEMIRA-M shortcomings, two ranking based weighting approaches were proposed to form a weighting procedure of KEMIRA-M. As the first implementation of the KEMIRA-M weighting procedure, the criteria weighting procedure of the KEMIRA-M method was developed using two different weighting methods based on ranking. The study provides decision-makers with a methodology that considers both benefit and cost type criteria for alternates and gives importance to experts’ rankings related to criteria and the performance values of alternates for criteria.
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The purpose of this paper is to present the corporate views of the commonalities and differences between two of the most powerful methodologies for process improvement in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the corporate views of the commonalities and differences between two of the most powerful methodologies for process improvement in organisations.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach taken was to collate the viewpoints from various corporate professionals. Participants were chosen from different countries across the globe, with a median experience of 10 years as a quality professional with expertise in the field of both Lean and Six Sigma.
Findings
Thirty-one key points have been highlighted as findings, as a summary of viewpoints provided by the participants. Fourteen commonalities and 17 differences between Six Sigma and Lean were identified. Key findings were grouped under four categories – Approach, Customer, Focus and Organisation.
Research limitations/implications
The corporate opinions expressed in the paper are those of a few professionals selected for the study. It is important to capture the viewpoints of more such practitioners to arrive at sound and valid conclusions.
Originality/value
The paper provides an excellent platform for both academicians and working professionals to understand the corporate views of commonalities and differences between the two powerful process improvement methodologies. The paper lays a platform for researchers to understand the applications of Six Sigma and Lean for process excellence.
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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…
Abstract
Purpose
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.
Design/methodology/approach
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.
Findings
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.
Research limitations/implications
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.
Originality/value
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.