Lean Six Sigma

About: Lean Six Sigma is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1919 publications have been published within this topic receiving 29142 citations.

An exploratory analysis for Lean and Six Sigma implementation in hospitals: Together is better?

Abstract: Background Despite the increasing interest for Lean and Six Sigma implementations in hospitals, there has been little empirical evidence that goes beyond descriptive case studies to address the current status and the effectiveness of the implementations. Purpose The aim of this study was to explore existing patterns of Lean and Six Sigma implementation in U.S. hospitals and compare the performance of the different patterns. Methodology/approach We collected data from 215 U.S. hospitals via a survey that includes measurement items developed from related literature. Using the cross-sectional data, we conducted a cluster analysis, followed by t tests, chi-square tests, and regression analyses for cluster verification. Results The cluster analysis identifies two clusters, a Moderate Six Sigma group and a Lean Six Sigma group. Results show that the Lean Six Sigma group outperforms the Moderate Six Sigma group across many performance dimensions: responsiveness capability, patient safety, and possibly cost saving. In addition, the Lean Six Sigma group tends to be composed of larger, private teaching hospitals located in more urban areas, and they employ more resources for quality improvement. Conclusion Our research contributes to the quality management literature by supporting the possible complementary relationship between Lean and Six Sigma in hospitals. Practice implications Our study encourages practitioners and managers to pay more attention to Lean implementation. Although Lean seems to be conducted in a limited fashion in many hospitals, it should be expanded and combined with Six Sigma for better results.

An exploration of the extent of Lean Six Sigma implementation in the West of Ireland

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) implementation within manufacturing companies in the West of Ireland. It examines the key success and failure factors, benefits and quality tools influencing LSS projects deployment.,The study adopted a mixed research method (quantitative and qualitative approach). Research data were collected through a structured survey questionnaire to the target population followed by interview case studies with four manufacturing companies to gather additional insight. The targeted respondents were manufacturing engineers, quality engineers, process improvement managers, operations managers, R&D engineers, LSS experts and validation engineers.,LSS initiatives are still relatively unknown to many SMEs organisations, whereas large companies have adopted LSS for some time. Top management commitment, understanding the LSS methodology, tools and techniques, integrating LSS to business strategy, organisational cultural change and training and education were the topmost key success factors. Organisational strategy, lack of top management support, expensive cost for LSS projects, unclear prioritisation of LSS projects and cost effectiveness were the most important failure factors influencing LSS implementation.,This research is the original work provided by the author and is expected to address the shortcomings of both SMEs and large organisations in the West of Ireland. The recommendations and frameworks reported in this paper can be used by manufacturing and service companies in Ireland for efficiency, competitiveness and continuous improvement.

Critical review of literature on Lean Six Sigma methodology

Abstract: This paper aims to develop an initial understanding of the Lean Six Sigma methodology since its inception and examine the few Lean Six Sigma dimensions as a research domain through a critical review of the literature.,The paper is structured in two-part. The first part of the paper attempts to dwell on the evolution of the Lean Philosophy and Six Sigma methodology individually and the emergence of Lean Six Sigma methodology, covered under the Lean Six Sigma: a historical outline section. The second part of the study examines the dimensions associated with Lean Six Sigma such as frameworks, critical success factors, critical failure factors, type of industry, performance metric, year, publisher and journal, based on a total of 223 articles published in 72 reputed journals from the year 2000 to 2019 as a literature review.,The adoption of Lean Six Sigma, as a continuous improvement methodology, has grown enormously in the manufacturing and few service sectors such as health care and higher education during the past decade. The study revealed that researchers came out with conceptual frameworks for the implementation of Lean Six Sigma, whereas the validation through case studies seems to be lacking. The integration of Lean Six Sigma and other approaches with a focus on sustainability and the environment has emerged as a research field. A few of the most common critical success and failure factors were identified from the articles studied during the study.,This paper may not have included some of the studies due to the inaccessibility and selection criteria followed for the study.,This paper will provide an initial introduction on Lean, Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma and research insights Lean Six Sigma to beginners such as students, researchers and entry-level professionals.

Six Sigma: hints from practice to overcome difficulties

Abstract: Six Sigma has proven to be a powerful system for improving quality and productivity. However, the successful implementation of the methodology is not simple, and it is therefore normal – especially in the early phases – to experience problems that may impede taking full advantage of the methodology. We have grouped some of the most frequent ones into four main areas: implementation and organisational aspects, adherence to DMAIC methodology, tools and statistical techniques and implementation of improvements and project closure. For each of them, the paper discusses some of the difficulties and issues that should be taken into account.

Green implementation of Lean Six Sigma projects in the manufacturing sector

Abstract: Historically, Lean Six Sigma (LSS) implementation has demonstrated a great deal of enhancement to process efficiency, profitability and customer satisfaction. The emerging market pressure for developing better quality, cheaper and greener products invokes a change of view in LSS economical effectiveness. The purpose of this study is to identify under which condition the final output of LSS projects with traditional strategic benefits are more environmentally friendly.,To investigate the choice of different types of LSS projects, the environmental impact under different conditions and the comparison of those conditions, the author developed an analytical mathematical model and analysed four different propositions.,The final price and production volume were recommended as mediating factors to leverage an LSS project to achieve a greener, customised and finance-oriented outputs.,This research contributes to existing LSS research and knowledge development via promoting the different perspectives of LSS and environmental sustainability integration.,This study further enables managers to identify the cut-off point in relation to the production volume and finished prices to leverage the expected financial outputs and environmental impact of the LSS project. This would potentially promote a green LSS project in both implementation and output, alongside its traditional values.,This study uses a modelling approach to identify the conditions under which the actual methodology of the LSS project could be green via less energy consumption with consideration of expected LSS values and outcomes.