Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
Purpose – To provide a sound discussion on the Six Sigma methodology and see how it fits in with other quality initiatives. Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual paper that takes at in-depth look at the origins, pros and cons of Six Sigma and how it relates to some of the other quality initiatives in industry. Findings – The immediate goal of Six Sigma is defect reduction. Reduced defects lead to yield improvement; higher yields improve customer satisfaction. Six Sigma defect reduction is intended to lead to cost reduction. It has a process focus and aims to highlight process improvement opportunities through systematic measurement. Six Sigma implementation can have negative consequences if applied in the wrong project. Six Sigma is a toolset, not a management system and is best used in conjunction with other more comprehensive quality standards such as the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence or the European Quality Award. Research limitations/implications – This is a conceptual study and hence there are no hypotheses tested as in an empirical study. It does provide a good foundation for future research. Practical implications – A very useful source of information and impartial advice for practitioners and researchers planning to practice the Six Sigma methodology and/or understand its pros and cons. Originality/value – This paper fulfils an identified information/resources need for Six Sigma methodology. It is based on utilizing an extensive set of statistical and advanced mathematical tools, and a well-defined methodology that produces significant results quickly. The success of this methodology within an organization has significant momentum that can only lead to fundamental organizational cultural transformation.
Raisinghani et al. (Sun,) studied this question.