Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to put forward and classify the critical success factors (CSF) of Six Sigma implementation, as well as the tools-techniques that it utilizes in all the phases of the Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control (DMAIC) structured methodology. Design/methodology/approach -A literature review of Six Sigma's CSF has been realized and also an attempt to connect them with the enablers of European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM). A literature review of the tools and techniques utilized follows and a categorization of them according to the phase of the DMAIC. Findings -The paper has collected a list of 32 CSF which were classified according to the five EFQM enablers, and the soft-hard differentiation. A list of 39 tools/techniques used in the different phases of DMAIC and the ISO 13053-1 suggestions has also been referred. Originality/value -The final classifications of CSF and techniques of Six Sigma methodology could be a valuable tool for Six Sigma academics and professionals to understand and implement the methodology in the appropriate way.

Purpose The present paper is an effort towards an integrated depiction of the quality costs of supermarkets in Greece. The purpose of the survey was to investigate to what extent the P-A-F model is used by Greek trade companies in the years of economic turmoil. Furthermore, it analyses how the quality costing process differentiates itself according to a number of demographic variables (size, number of employees, number of branches, ISO/HACCP certification). Design/methodology/approach The survey was conducted in 159 Greek supermarkets via a questionnaire. The method of Multiple Correspondence Analysis was successfully implemented in the process of answering the above mentioned questions. Findings The survey highlighted the limited use of quality costing practices among supermarkets. The way companies monitor quality costs proved to be highly dependent on their size, the economic circumstances and other variables (i.e. ISO/HACCP certification). Furthermore, our research provides evidence that prevention plus appraisal costs “balance” with failure costs at 83% of quality conformance. Originality/value The present study offers a first insight into the attitude of Greek supermarkets towards quality costing implementation. Moreover, it is enriched with empirical findings on the interrelations among the quality cost categories, which support and verify “the new COQ model”. Finally, given the fact that the majority of published research papers focus on quality costing in manufacturing companies, we chose to examine supermarkets, as a first attempt towards the analysis of quality costing in retail companies in Greece.

Purpose Given the fact that the Greek food and beverage (F&B) sector, along with the tourism sector, is the basis of Greek economy, the purpose of this paper is to depict the extent to which Greek F&B enterprises have embraced quality costing, as a means toward economic development and quality assurance. Since no previous research has taken place in this area, the paper aims to analyze whether the quality costing approach has been adopted, in order to achieve quality improvement and a reduction of production costs. Design/methodology/approach As the variables in this research are mostly nominal, and no similar work has been previously conducted in Greece, an exploratory approach is adopted, specifically multiple correspondence analysis. This approach enables the researcher not only to analyze the phenomenon in a more holistic way, but also to highlight potential issues and questions that have not been previously identified. Findings The research concludes that Greek F&B enterprises have not yet accepted the assumption that quality costing leads to a reduction of production costs and to quality improvement. Furthermore, a second analysis highlights that “turnover” and “ISO-HACCP systems” are the most dominant demographic variables, which have a direct relationship to prevention and internal failure costs. Originality/value Since the Greek F&B industry constitutes the larger “employer” of domestic manufacturing, this research sheds light on the role that quality costing plays in the development and success of the Greek F&B sector, by exploring the approach that has been adopted by F&B enterprises, as well as the economic outcome of this process.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the longitudinal evolution of quality costs measurement, depicted in 99 real data studies of the last 30 years. A meta-analysis of these articles is conducted, in order to highlight the evolution of the variables that have been used for the study of quality costing, in relation to the date of publication, business sector and geographical origin of each paper. Design/methodology/approach The analysis of the cost components has been conducted with the use of multiple correspondence analysis, which is a useful tool for the exploration of the interrelations among all elements, aiming at the identification of the dominant and most substantial tendencies in their structure. Findings The findings suggest that the level of analysis of quality costs is related to the date of publication, the business sector and the origin of each research. Furthermore, it is pointed out that the most prominent prevention costs are related to suppliers’ assurance, internal audit and new product’s design and development. Appraisal costs are mostly defined by quality audits and procurement costs, while failure costs by defect/failure analysis, low quality losses, complaint investigation and concessions and warranty claims. Originality/value The present paper is a longitudinal meta-analysis of 99 quality cost papers that have been published in the last 30 years. It explores the evolution of research in quality costing, not only in relation to the cost components in use, but also in terms of date of publication, business sector and geographical origin of the studies.

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