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Article
Publication date: 6 August 2010

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…

12644

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.

Details

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 1 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-4166

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Article
Publication date: 29 June 2018

Yang Mao and Liangcai Zeng

The purpose of this study is to establish a friction coefficient prediction model using texture parameters and then using the optimal texture parameters to obtain the minimum…

157

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to establish a friction coefficient prediction model using texture parameters and then using the optimal texture parameters to obtain the minimum friction coefficient.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on texture technology and the cavitation phenomenon conditions, a test scheme based on two-factor and five-level texture parameters is designed using central composite design and then the response surface methodology and hybrid back-propagation genetic algorithm (BP-GA) models are used to establish a friction coefficient prediction model and optimize the friction coefficient.

Findings

The result indicates that the values predicted using two methodologies agree well with the experimental data, but the hybrid BP-GA model is superior to the response surface methodology model in both prediction and optimization.

Originality/value

Two methodologies are used to study the influence of the texture parameters on the friction coefficient under the cavitation condition. It is expected that the result can be used to obtain optimum texture parameters to reduce the friction coefficient.

Details

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, vol. 70 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0036-8792

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Article
Publication date: 9 December 2020

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…

837

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.

Details

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 12 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-4166

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 18 December 2024

Angélica Muffato Reis, Elisa Verna, Lino Costa, Sérgio Dinis Sousa and Maurizio Galetto

This study bridges the gap in quality control strategies for high-volume production by balancing the cost and effectiveness of inspection strategies. Using the cost of quality…

78

Abstract

Purpose

This study bridges the gap in quality control strategies for high-volume production by balancing the cost and effectiveness of inspection strategies. Using the cost of quality (CoQ) to manage cost and external failures (EF) to gauge effectiveness, this research introduces an innovative inspection strategy chart that serves as a decision-making tool for optimizing inspection processes.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a scenario-based framework designed to support strategic decision-making in inspection processes by integrating empirical data analysis with inspection strategy charts. This approach allows for a dynamic assessment and visualization of the relationship between CoQ and EF, facilitating more informed decision-making in quality management. Notably, it contrasts the traditional models with a novel approach that more accurately captures the uncertainty and correlation among key quality indicators, showcasing its potential for more refined decision-making in quality management.

Findings

Application of the framework illustrates its effectiveness in offering a nuanced understanding of the cost implications and effectiveness of various quality control strategies. This facilitates enhanced strategic decision-making, optimizing inspection processes and reducing external failures in high-volume production settings.

Research limitations/implications

The study focuses on a single industry case study, limiting the generalizability of findings across different high-volume production contexts. Future research could explore the framework’s applicability in other sectors and refine the model based on additional empirical data.

Originality/value

The research introduces a versatile framework that navigates the unique challenges of high-volume manufacturing environments. Diverging from models optimized for low-volume settings, this approach provides a valuable tool for adapting inspection strategies to complex production demands, marking a significant contribution to quality management and control literature.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

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Article
Publication date: 1 July 2021

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.

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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.

Details

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 13 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-4166

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Article
Publication date: 28 October 2014

Ravi S. Reosekar and Sanjay D. Pohekar

The main aim of the present study is to explore field of Six Sigma and discover the limitation of the present research work. The study also tries to find emerging aspects, trends…

4255

Abstract

Purpose

The main aim of the present study is to explore field of Six Sigma and discover the limitation of the present research work. The study also tries to find emerging aspects, trends and future directions and explore unfocused areas of Six Sigma. The present study involves an analysis of 179 research articles published from 1995 to 2011 in 52 selected reputable journals.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology of critical assessment involves selection and classification of 179 research articles on Six Sigma. The selected articles are classified by: time distribution of articles, research methodology, research stream, authorship patterns, sector-wise focus of articles, integration with other manufacturing philosophies, implementation status and performance measurement of the models or framework. Then, the suggestions for the future scope of research possibilities and development are identified.

Findings

The study provides a taxonomical and integrated review of articles. Further, this study provides perspectives on conceptualization and various critical parameters for research. Through this literature review, many issues are addressed which have not previously been adequately covered. The findings include: increase in empirical nature of research articles, need for spreading research in the field of Six Sigma implementation, need for more interregional research collaborations, need for integration of Six Sigma philosophy with other philosophies and lack of implementation, i.e. testing and validation of the proposed models or frameworks by researchers.

Practical implications

The present study has explored an unfocused area of Six Sigma which will help future researchers to concentrate on the grey areas of Six Sigma. The study will help professionals to get a comprehensive database of Six Sigma articles and their use in practical situation. The results obtained from the study are expected to help researchers, academics and professionals to focus on the growth, pertinence and research developments to implement Six Sigma principles.

Originality/value

This paper will be of great help for those carrying out research in Six Sigma field including academics and practitioners in terms of Six Sigma growth describing the trends, sources and findings. The unique feature of this research is the large sample size and a time span of 16 years (1995-2011). The unique feature of this research is the large sample size and a time span of 16 years (1995-2011).

Details

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 5 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-4166

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Article
Publication date: 13 January 2020

Gary Null, Jennifer A. Cross and Charles Brandon

As program managers seek to improve the quality, speed and financial benefits of the programs they manage, many are turning to process improvement methodologies, such as Lean Six…

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Abstract

Purpose

As program managers seek to improve the quality, speed and financial benefits of the programs they manage, many are turning to process improvement methodologies, such as Lean Six Sigma (LSS). However, although existing literature includes multiple studies that apply the methodology to non-manufacturing environments, there is no specific framework for applying LSS within program management (PM). Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between LSS tools, project scope, program phase and functional area and project outputs, in PM organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses archival data from 511 LSS projects completed from 2006 to 2015 by a large government agency in the USA composed of 13 PM organizations. The study focuses on four types of input factors: LSS tools, project scope, program phase and functional area; and two output variables: LSS project average financial benefits and percentage of improvement. Multiple regressions are applied to determine what relationships exist between the input and output variables, as well as the nature of such relationships.

Findings

The results of this study show LSS is beneficial to PM and also indicate which tools and organizational contexts have positive and negative associations with project outcomes, serving as guide for future applications. In addition, this study can provide clarity and confidence to program managers who are currently skeptical of LSS, by showing that it can provide cost, schedule and performance improvements beneficial to their programs.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of this research include the use of a single government agency in the USA, the non-experimental design of the study and limitations associated with the nature and data collection process of the archival data. Future studies should include additional PM organizations, input variables and research designs.

Originality/value

There is no specific framework formalizing the concept of LSS application within PM. The literature includes several studies that apply the methodology to non-manufacturing environments, but not to PM specifically. Furthermore, the existing literature on PM does not explicitly cite any continuous improvement methodology as a critical success factor or provide any detailed guidelines for the application of LSS in PM. This paper contributes by studying the relationships between LSS tools, project scope, program phase and functional area, and project outputs, in a PM environment.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 31 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

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Article
Publication date: 6 June 2016

Abel Ribeiro de Jesus, Jiju Antony, Herman Augusto Lepikson and Adriano L. A. Peixoto

The purpose of this paper is to identify critical success factors (CSFs) that are regarded as the most important in Six Sigma programs in Brazil and to compare these rankings with…

1237

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify critical success factors (CSFs) that are regarded as the most important in Six Sigma programs in Brazil and to compare these rankings with those in international literature.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of industrial companies was selected to complete a survey. In total, 104 questionnaires were obtained. The results were compared with a literature review consisting of 26 papers from 13 countries. In total, 70 CSFs were found in the papers, but 19 CSFs were analyzed and reduced to ten. A multivariate factor analysis further reduced this number to two underlying constructs.

Findings

The authors identified a CSFs common denominator/ranking based on the sample of international articles. The authors found that there are four CSFs that are more prevalent in Brazil and in the international papers studied and that there are no differences between the importance of CSFs in terms of hierarchical levels. Three gaps, five levers and two CSFs constructs were identified.

Social implications

This study may initiate cooperation between the studied companies and academia, thus possibly increasing these organization’ knowledge regarding Six Sigma.

Originality/value

The originality of this study is that the survey was conducted with companies in Brazil, a country where little information exists on Six Sigma programs. The authors also contributed a literature review on CSFs, a comparison based on most of the consulted papers and the use of a robust methodological strategy that was made possible by the sample size.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 33 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

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Article
Publication date: 1 June 2012

Hilda Cecilia Martinez Leon, Maria del Carmen Temblador Perez, Jennifer A. Farris and Mario G. Beruvides

Many of the benefits of Six Sigma (SS) programs stem from the proper use of tools within team‐based improvement projects. However, teams often struggle with selecting and…

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Abstract

Purpose

Many of the benefits of Six Sigma (SS) programs stem from the proper use of tools within team‐based improvement projects. However, teams often struggle with selecting and integrating the best tools to use in their projects, compromising not only the project completion but also the solution implementation and sustainability over time. The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic approach to articulate SS tools based on team learning, in order to facilitate tool selection and alignment, team collaboration, solution ownership, and overall solution quality and sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

The action research approach was adopted to explore the link between team learning practices and tool application that combined participation in and reflection upon a successful SS project from the electronic manufacturing industry.

Findings

SS tools can be more effectively aligned and integrated with team learning practices. Team discussions and dialogues on SS tool outcomes are pivotal to the development of practical interpretations, allowing the team to create new knowledge, change mental models regarding pre‐conceived solutions, and enable team members to collectively select and interpret tools in a coherent way, leading to the buy‐in of the final solution and the SS program as a whole.

Originality/value

The paper yields value to practitioners and researchers interested in successful SS project execution and program sustainability, by providing a team‐learning approach for effective tool integration. In addition, this paper highlights the need for additional research on team learning within SS programs.

Details

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 3 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-4166

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 27 May 2014

E.V. Gijo, Shreeranga Bhat and N.A. Jnanesh

The purpose of this article is to illustrate how the Six Sigma methodology was applied to a small-scale foundry industry to reduce the rejections and rework in one of its…

1355

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to illustrate how the Six Sigma methodology was applied to a small-scale foundry industry to reduce the rejections and rework in one of its processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The research reported in this paper is based on a case study carried out in an industry using the Six Sigma Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control (DMAIC) approach and its application in improving the leaf spring manufacturing process of a foundry shop.

Findings

The root causes for the problem of rejection and rework were identified through data-based analysis at different stages in the project. The process parameters were optimized and measures for sustainability of the results were incorporated in the process. As a result of this study, the overall rejection was reduced from 48.33 to 0.79 per cent, which was a remarkable achievement for this small-scale industry. This was leading to improvement in on-time delivery to the customer. The finance department of the company estimated the annualized savings due to the reduction in rejection and was to the tune of USD8,000 per year.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is based on a single case study executed in a company, and hence, there is limitation in generalizing the specific results from the study. However, the approach adopted and the learning from this study can be generalized.

Originality/value

This article illustrates the step-by-step application of Six Sigma DMAIC methodology in a small-scale foundry industry to solve an age-old problem in the organization. Thus, this article will be helpful for those professionals who are interested in implementing Six Sigma to such industries.

Details

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 5 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-4166

Keywords

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