The Implementation of Continuous Improvement (CI) Methodology

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Salaheldin Ismail Salaheldin ◽  
Hesham Fawzy Abbas ◽  
Mohamed Abdelghaffar Seif
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mail Questionnaire ◽  
Paper Mills ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Expected Benefits ◽  
Green Belts

This study aims to identify the expected benefits of continuous improvement (CI) implementation, to determine the critical success factors that contribute to CI implementation and to detect the expected problems that impede the implementation of CI programmes at Al-Sindian Paper Mills. The data analysed in this article was collected from a mail questionnaire sent to all staff who worked on a CI (Six Sigma) project at Al-Sindian Paper Mills. The findings of this study indicate that specialised training is necessary for master black and green belts, implementation of the CI requires a quality assurance and also CI approach is not only concerned with selecting a method and forming teams, but extends to covering the enhancement of improvement skills for operators. Finally avenues for future research were provided.

Continuous improvement project within Kaizen: critical success factors in hospitals

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 335-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Gonzalez-Aleu ◽  
Eileen M. Van Aken ◽  
Jennifer Cross ◽  
Wiljeana J. Glover
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Critical Success Factors ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Level Of Importance

Purpose Evidence suggests that hospitals are having problems achieving continuous improvement project (CIP) goals or sustaining their results. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to identify those critical success factors (CSFs) most strongly related to CIP success in hospitals (Lean-Kaizen project, Lean Six Sigma project, Six Sigma projects, and Quality Improvement projects). Design/methodology/approach A retrospective survey was applied to any CIP leaders/facilitators from hospitals that conducted at least one CIP during the last two years. Findings Three main findings were obtained from the 116 valid responses. First, the level of importance of 47 out of 53 CSFs to achieve CIPs success in hospitals was assessed as very important or higher (4 or higher on a six-point scale). Second, there are important differences between the CSFs to achieve CIP success in hospitals in this research and previous investigations. Third, the type of CIP affects the level of importance of 16 out of 53 CSFs to achieve CIP success in hospitals. Originality/value Practitioners involved with CIPs activities in hospitals could use the knowledge extracted from this investigation to improve the impact of their CIPs. Future research should continue in two lines: test if the 53 CSFs for CIPs measure a unique factor and identify the main relationships or paths between CSFs for CIPs and CIP outcomes.

Determination of the Critical Success Factors (CSF) in the Implementation of Six Sigma (SS) and Its Sustainable Benefits

2020 ◽  
pp. 261-280
Author(s):  
Aida López ◽  
Jesús A. Hernández Gómez ◽  
Karla I. Velázquez Victorica ◽  
Vianey Torres Argüelles ◽  
Salvador Noriega Morales ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Measurement Instrument ◽  
Environmental Care ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Correct Implementation

Currently, organizations seek to position themselves in the market as the most competitive and profitable in their branch, through the continuous improvement of their processes, products, and/or services, applying various techniques, tools, and methodologies. Particularly in this chapter, focus on Six Sigma (SS) will be shown, a strategy used in companies to achieve competitive objectives, continuously improving processes. In this sense, it is considered important to identify and know the main factors that are involved in its implementation. Likewise, the organizations are presenting a culture towards the sustainability and the environmental care, derived from this, the methodology used to develop a measurement instrument that allows to identify the CSF in the implementation of SS, the sustainable benefits that can be achieve with correct implementation, the procedure used for the validation of the content of the instrument, the validity of internal consistency and the obtained results.

scholarly journals Continuous improvement initiatives for dynamic capabilities development

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-149
Author(s):  
Leopoldo Gutierrez-Gutierrez ◽  
Jiju Antony
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Dominant Position ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
The Usa

Purpose This study aims to analyse the existing literature on continuous improvement (CI) initiatives and dynamic capabilities (DCs) development to explore the question whether CI initiatives foster development of DCs in organisations. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review (SLR) was undertaken. Four databases were included in the structured searches (EBSCOhost, Web of Knowledge, Scopus, ProQuest and Emerald Insight), 19 studies were finally included and analysed in detail. Findings The results obtained identify issues such as a growing trend in the publication of studies, the dominant position of the USA and the predominance of empirical papers. The literature was classified according to whether it presents CI as a DC in itself, as an enabler of DC or as a result of the DC. The main critical success factors to be implemented in CI initiatives (CII) were also identified, to enhance the development of DCs. Finally, based on the analysis of the specific DC literature, ten theoretical propositions for possible future research have been developed. Originality/value CII such as Lean Management, Six Sigma and Total Quality Management have been widely implemented in organisations. Despite their reputation, the effects of these initiatives on long-term benefits remain debated, this motivates the SLR of CII and DC. The DC theory tackles the question of how firms can sustain their advantage and profits in the long term, making this perspective ideal for tackling controversy on the benefits of CII.

Design of experiments in the service industry: results from a global survey and directions for further research

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiju Antony ◽  
Elisabeth Viles ◽  
Alexandre Fonseca Torres ◽  
Marcelo Machado Fernandes ◽  
Elizabeth A. Cudney
Keyword(s):  
Design Of Experiments ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Process Improvement ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Service Industry ◽  
Quality Characteristics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Success

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to critically evaluate the current status of Design of experiments (DoE) in the service industry or non-manufacturing processes in the manufacturing sector. This involves the identification of critical success factors and challenges in the use of DoE in the context of the service industry as well as the key skills needed for its successful applications.Design/methodology/approachIn order to identify the critical success factors and challenges, an online survey instrument was developed and distributed across Six Sigma Black Belts (SSBB), Six Sigma Master Black Belts (SSMBB), process improvement champions, continuous improvement professionals, DoE experts and specialists as well as academics who are involved in DoE research and applications.FindingsA total of 109 participants from over 20 countries responded to the study. One of the first findings of the study is that over 40% of the process improvement professionals in the service sector do not have any hands-on experience with the application of DoE. Further, this study highlights the following critical factors for successful DoE applications: dedicating adequate resources in terms of time, budget and people for the experiment; getting a clear understanding of the problem at hand; securing a reliable and validated measurement system for measuring the response or quality characteristics of interest; and identifying input independent variables, which influence the quality characteristics during the brainstorming stage. Some respondents also mention the importance of having training or education in DoE as a critical success factor. At the same time, the lack of adequate planning to experimentation, mathematical knowledge and statistical reasoning remains as challenge to be solved.Research limitations/implicationsAs data were collected at an individual level, inter-reliability, which measures the consistency of judgements on a particular survey item, could not be gauged. Moreover, due to low sample size across some continents, an intercontinental comparative study on the extent of the application of DoE across various continents could not be performed.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first global survey carried out to understand the status of DoE in the service industry. The results of the global study can be used to encourage quality, continuous improvement and process improvement professionals in the service sector to drive wider acceptance of one of the most powerful tools in the Six Sigma toolkit for problem-solving scenarios. Moreover, senior managers in the service industry can take away some of the key benefits, challenges and success factors in the implementation of DoE.

CSFs for Six Sigma in service and manufacturing companies: an insight on literature

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 543-561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonali Udeeka Pathiratne ◽  
Ali Khatibi ◽  
Md Gapar Md Johar
Keyword(s):  
Six Sigma ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Company Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Core Areas

PurposeThis paper aims to identify and review the critical success factors (CSFs) for successful Six Sigma implementation in service and manufacturing companies given in published literature.Design/methodology/approachA descriptive evaluation of the literature body is followed by future research opportunities. Studies published on the topic of Six Sigma during 2005-2016 are reviewed to retrieve identified CSFs.FindingsFrom published literature, 48 CSFs vital for Six Sigma implementation were identified. The identified CSFs were classified under eight core categories. As per the categorization, 35 out of 48 CSFs identified are either Company Strategy related, Six Sigma Project related or Human Resources related. Only a limited number of studies are carried out mainly focusing on the stated three core areas. Hence, it is vital that these three core areas are further explored in future research.Originality/valueWith the outcome of this paper, the identified CSFs for Six Sigma will be taken for further studies, where they will be applied to service and manufacturing companies based in Sri Lanka. Hence, it would provide Sri Lankan service and manufacturing companies guidelines for successful implementation of Six Sigma for future endeavors.

Factorial Solution for Determination of Critical Success Factors (CSF) in Deployment of Six Sigma and Its Relation to Sustainability

2022 ◽  
pp. 208-233
Author(s):  
Aida López Guerrero ◽  
Jesús Andrés Hernández Gómez ◽  
Karla Isabel Velázquez Victorica ◽  
Mydory Oyuky Nakasima López ◽  
Luz del Consuelo Olivares Fong
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
The Other ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Improvement Strategies ◽  
High Standards ◽  
The Relationship

Recently, the interest in being part of more competitive companies has increased. For this, organizations apply various strategies of continuous improvement that allow them to maintain high standards of competitiveness. In this sense, organizations make use of various techniques, tools, and methodologies that support the achievement of objectives. This research presents an approach towards the Six Sigma (SS) strategy, one of the main continuous improvement strategies used to achieve competitiveness. On the other hand, organizations currently seek that during manufacture of their products, caring for the environment is naturally part of their objectives, seeking to achieve benefits with a sustainable impact. Therefore, this research seeks to define the CSF for implementation of SS through a factor analysis that allows identifying the relationship between SS and obtaining sustainable benefits (SB) through its implementation.

Critical success factors of TQM, Six Sigma, Lean and Lean Six Sigma

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 3479-3504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raja Sreedharan V. ◽  
Vijaya Sunder M. ◽  
Raju R.
Keyword(s):  
Six Sigma ◽  
Critical Success Factors ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
The Future

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review the existing literature on the critical success factors (CSFs) of various continuous improvement (CI) like total quality management (TQM), Lean, Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma (LSS), and perform a content analysis (CA) leading to an agenda for future research. Design/methodology/approach CA is based on literature review of 41 papers published in peer-reviewed scholarly journals. A four-stage methodology is used by the authors, with Stage 1 featuring relevant material collection; Stage 2 presenting a descriptive analysis; Stage 3 outlining the category selection; and Stage 4 featuring the material evaluation using clustering and Pareto analysis. Findings The CA revealed various research implications and directions for the future. The number of studies in the literature regarding CSF assessment is found to be far from substantial while compared to CI implementation. Assessment methodologies developed have been ranging from qualitative to quantitative models. Key gaps were identified and directions for CSF assessment are proposed which requires further validation. Research limitations/implications Only articles that appeared in peer-reviewed journals were analyzed; conference papers, reports, manuals and white papers from practice were excluded. Another limitation of the paper would be the scope of CA limited to four CI constructs – TQM, Lean, Six Sigma and LSS. Research implications indicate that the future studies in this domain would be intensive toward analyzing the vital CSFs for enterprise organizational excellence and not merely process excellence. Practical implications This review study can serve as a resource for both researchers and practitioners to understand the importance of CSFs and positioning CSFs for the successful implementation of CI programs. Originality/value The CA on the existing literature on CSFs for CI presents a unique, systematic effort to identify an agenda for future research. This study is the apparently the first of its kind on CSF assessment.

Role of Lean Six Sigma in the Indian MSMEs during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mrigendra Nath Mishra ◽  
Ashutosh Mohan ◽  
Arghya Sarkar
Keyword(s):  
Six Sigma ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Quality Improvements ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Manufacturing Operations ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Six Sigma Approach

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the advantages and obstacles of implementing Lean Six Sigma in Indian MSMEs during or post-COVID-19. The following research also elaborates on the challenges of implementing Lean Six Sigma in MSMEs in India, along with the changes in the culture that are required for providing a proper climate to ensure success in a long-term manner. Design/methodology/approach The methodology used in this study is a descriptive study, which explores and looks for the factors that influence the impulse or motivation to implement Lean Six Sigma in MSMEs and factors that inhibit the implementation of Lean Six Sigma. To achieve this goal of Lean Six Sigma, a significant review of the existing literature of the subject area has been done to prepare a framework with the help of inferential statistics in view of the critical success factors. This research is a flow and arranged a type of survey of organizations that is conducted using MS-Excel and SPSS 25.0 statistical software. The number of participants selected using a purposive sampling method in this study was 127 Lean Six Sigma experts and owners or CEOs of MSMEs in India. Findings Lean Six Sigma be used for facilitating the improvement processes in manufacturing operations, quality improvements and productivity. As some obstacles exist in implementing the Lean Six Sigma approach, the improvement processes and outcomes of change in the culture are noteworthy and worthwhile. The implementation of Lean Six Sigma has also some constraints, including cost limitations, skill limitations, limited facilities and other such limitations. The implementation of Lean Six Sigma during COVID-19 is not yet a matter of urgency or priority, and hence, cannot yet be applied. Research limitations/implications This paper presents opinions of only a few selected professionals of Indian MSMEs. So it was a crucial aspect of capturing the views of such practitioners of their arrival on valid and sound conclusions. Practical implications The novelty of this research is to analyze the advantages and obstacles of implementing Lean Six Sigma in MSMEs during the COVID-19 in India. The results of this research can be used as scientific references for researchers who will conduct future research. Moreover, it can be guidance for MSMEs owners to make decisions in implementing Lean Six Sigma during the COVID-19 pandemic. The organizations assess all of their aspects such as perceive objectives, required qualities and shortcomings for fruitful implementation of any practice. Originality/value Several suggestions were made for the methods and thoughts, which will constitute a Lean Six Sigma organization. Hence, the research offers an excellent framework for both working professionals and academicians to understand the view of Indian MSMEs along with their benefits and obstacles of implementing Lean Six Sigma. So this study helps in laying out a platform for understanding the uses of Lean Six Sigma for process excellence in a new era due to COVID-19.

Why do organizations discontinue Lean Six Sigma initiatives?

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 420-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Sony ◽  
Subhash Naik ◽  
K.K. Therisa
Keyword(s):  
Success Rate ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Success

PurposeLean Six Sigma (LSS) has been one of the most widely used quality improvement initiatives over the last decade. However, the success rate of LSS is dismally poor, and most organizations discontinue LSS initiatives prematurely. The purpose of this paper is to answer the question why do organizations discontinue LSS initiatives?Design/methodology/approachTo understand the discontinuance mechanism of LSS initiatives, the authors selected two companies. One from the manufacturing and one from service sector in India. The companies were selected as they had initially implemented LSS, and later within six years had discontinued the initiatives. Four projects from each company were studied using case study methodology.FindingsThis study finds 11 factors due to which the organizations discontinue LSS initiatives. The factors are poor success rate, unrealistic expectations from LSS, unsustainable results, misuse of statistics, large tool set, unsupportive and uncommitted top management, lack of training and development, lack of synergy of LSS and business strategy, lack of link between LSS and customer needs, wrong projects selection and premature discontinuation of LSS experts. The study further discusses the discontinuance mechanisms of LSS using propositions.Practical implicationsLSS is one of the most widely used initiatives in the organizations. Such initiatives involve costs. Earlier studies have reported that many organizations discontinue the LSS initiatives resulting in a loss or not meeting the intended goals. This paper will help the practitioners as well as organizations to understand why organizations discontinue LSS and take prompt actions for its success.Originality/valueEarlier studies on LSS address the critical success factors, and this paper addresses those about failures by studying organizations that have discontinued LSS. The present study finds 11 factors that are responsible for discontinuing LSS in organizations. In addition, propositions are developed for future research and empirical testing. This study also offers further insights into the discontinuance mechanisms involved in LSS.

A Lean Six Sigma implementation model based on Critical Success Factors

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Forcellini ◽  
Milton Pereira ◽  
Helio Aisenberg Ferenhof ◽  
Arthur Boeing Ribeiro
Keyword(s):  
Six Sigma ◽  
Critical Success Factors ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Implementation Model ◽  
Model Based ◽  
Critical Success
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