Lean Six Sigma and social performance: A review and synthesis of current evidence

Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is one of the most widely used business improvement initiatives in both manufacturing and service organizations. For a modern organization to sustainably exist in society, the impact of business initiatives such as LSS should affect social dimensions. This study analyzes the impact of LSS on different dimensions of social performance. A systematic literature review was conducted using the method suggested by Tranfield, Denyer, and Smart (2003 Tranfield, D., D. Denyer, and P. Smart. 2003. Towards a methodology for developing evidence‐informed management knowledge by means of systematic review. British Journal of Management 14 (3):207–22. doi: 10.1111/1467-8551.00375.Crossref, Web of Science ® , Google Scholar) to collect, analyze, and integrate previous literature to study the impact of LSS on social performance. The authors conducted a descriptive and thematic analysis of the literature. Their study determined that LSS has an impact on decent work, the health and well-being of society, public services and infrastructure, quality education for society, and climate action. In addition, the authors studied the various challenges related to the impact of LSS on social performance. This is the first systematic literature review that has focused on the impact of LSS on different dimensions of social performance.