Six Sigma and management theory: Processes, content and effectiveness

Quality management initiatives in Europe: An empirical analysis according to their structural elements

“…Interest in this methodology is growing, as is reflected in its application in both the entrepreneurial and the academic worlds with the publication of numerous papers that analyse its operation (DeMast, 2006;Lloréns and Molina, 2006). We find studies related to stock price performance (Goh et al, 2003), to quality management of its suppliers (Dasgupta, 2003), to effects on customers (Behara et al, 1995;Kuei and Madu, 2003), to organizational learning (Wiklund and Wiklund, 2002), and to human resource management (Lanyon, 2003;Wyper and Harrison, 2000).…”

“…Six Sigma is supported by a team structure and the successes of this methodology in the firm depend on the role played by the team members (Shamji, 2005). Also, Six Sigma differs from other QM initiatives because it creates specialized positions for these teams, such as Black Belts, Champions or Green Belts (Breyfogle, 2003;Lloréns and Molina, 2006;Pande et al, 2002). For these reasons training becomes an essential factor for Six Sigma implementation (Lloréns and Molina, 2006).…”

“…Also, Six Sigma differs from other QM initiatives because it creates specialized positions for these teams, such as Black Belts, Champions or Green Belts (Breyfogle, 2003;Lloréns and Molina, 2006;Pande et al, 2002). For these reasons training becomes an essential factor for Six Sigma implementation (Lloréns and Molina, 2006). Firm must improve its members understanding of the policies implemented, team dynamic, tasks or statistical tools to ensure Six Sigma success (Green, 2006;Lee and Choi, 2006).…”

“…Six Sigma also attributes great importance to teamwork in achieving improvements in processes (Breyfogle, 2003;Lowenthal, 2002;Pande et al, 2002). According to Lloréns and Molina, (2006), the third principle of Six Sigma methodology is teamwork. Six Sigma is supported by a team structure and the successes of this methodology in the firm depend on the role played by the team members (Shamji, 2005).…”

“…The three basic principles of TQM-customer orientation, continuous improvement and teamwork (Dean and Bowen, 1994;Prajogo and Sohal, 2003;Ravichandran and Rai, 2000;Sitkin et al, 1994)-are reflected in the principles cited by Lloréns and Molina, (2006) as the basis of the Six Sigma philosophy: customer focus, improvement of processes and/or design of new products and teamwork. Thus, both the EFQM model and the Six Sigma methodology (Lucas, 2002;Green, 2006;Lloréns and Molina, 2006) are options for implementing TQM. Although the 2000 version of the ISO 9000 Standards seems to have come close to these options, there may still be differences (Bendel, 2000).…”