Assessment of critical failure factors (CFFs) of Lean Six Sigma in real life scenario

Abstract

Purpose Many projects focus on the reliable operation of the activities in the project. Any failure in the process activities leads to major problems resulting in waste, defects, equipment damage, which has a direct impact on the consumers. In addition, Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is not new to this issue. LSS projects have faced an interruption in the process flow and unforeseen defects. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to identify the vital failure factors of LSS projects. Design/methodology/approach Through extant literature review, the researchers found 44 critical failure factors (CFFs) of LSS. Using the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) SIMOS approach, the decision makers’ (DMs) rating and weight for each factor were collected. Moreover, the study was conducted in both the manufacturing and service industries to identify the impact of CFFs in LSS projects. Findings CFFs and their evaluation have received little attention in the literature. Most of the previous studies deal only with the identification of the success factors in general. Therefore, the study identified 44 CFFs and ranked them through DMs. In addition, the TOPSIS SIMOS approach ranked the vital failure factors enabling the management to avert the LSS project from failures. Research limitations/implications The study focused on project failures due to CFFs of LSS. Nevertheless, it did not consider other failure factors of project and knowledge management. Further, the sample used to test the approach was considerably small. Therefore, the study can be repeated with significant samples and the vital failure factors compared. Practical implications In real-life application, all the parameters in the LSS project need to be understood in a better manner. In such a condition, the practitioner needs to know that the project never fails due to the CFFs and TOPSIS SIMOS approach can prevent the LSS project failures. Originality/value The study applied TOPSIS SIMOS approach to rank the CFFs in an LSS project, which is first of its kind and aids the practitioners to make the right decisions in the business environment.

Relating the role of green self‐concepts and identity on green purchasing behaviour: An empirical analysis

“…The target population for the study was members of a green movement in India, with potential knowledge and awareness on green consumerism. The questionnaire was distributed via email using total Dillman's approach (Sreedharan, Gopikumar, Nair, Chakraborty, & Antony, 2018). Through convenient sampling, the respondents posing the intention for green purchases and basic knowledge on green practice were chosen as respondents for the study.…”

Hierarchy of Critical Success Factors (CSF) for Lean Six Sigma (LSS) in Quality 4.0

“…Belhadi et al (2019) identified them for small and medium enterprises (SME). Sreedharan et al (2018) established them for manufacturing and service enterprises. Jha et al (2019) established CSF for LSS in Indian manufacturing companies.…”

“…Sindhwani et al (2019) reported CSF when LSS is implemented with other strategies, e.g., Agile and Green. CSF for LSS use in a nonspecific business unit are also available (Laosirihongthong et al 2006;Sreedharan et al 2018). Yadav et al (2021) established 18 critical success factors for Lean Six Sigma under Quality 4.0 framework.…”

“…Laosirihongthong et al (2006) also used AHP methodology for model building and expressed following factors as most prominent drivers: top management leadership, training and understanding of LSS, project management skills, customer orientation. Sreedharan et al (2018) used TOPSIS approach to describe Critical Failure Factors (opposite of success factors) and therefore their top contributors for failure of LSS were lack of Leadership, Lack of IT (information technology) support, lack of problem-solving culture, lack of focus on human factors. These factors are in line with main drivers of LSS identified in this study.…”

“…Zandhessami and Rahgozar (2018) used Dematel (Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) approach for this purpose. Sreedharan et al (2018) used TOPSIS (The Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) methodology to establish hierarchy of critical failure (not success) factors for LSS. Jha et al (2019) established hierarchy of CSF for LSS using ISM (interpretive structural modelling) methodology.…”