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Abstract
Purpose - Six sigma for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is an emerging topic among many academics and six sigma practitioners over the last two to three years. Very few studies have been reported about the successful applications of six sigma in SMEs. The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of six sigma implementation in UK manufacturing SMEs.
Design/methodology/approach - This paper presents an extensive literature review based on the experiences of both academics and practitioners on six sigma within an SME environment. The paper highlights the strengths and weaknesses associated with SMEs, followed by the results of a six sigma survey in UK manufacturing SMEs. The results of the study are based primarily on descriptive statistics.
Findings - The results of the study show that many of the SMEs are not aware of six sigma and many do not have the resources to implement six sigma projects. It was also found that lean sigma was not generally popular among SMEs. Management involvement and participation, linking six sigma to customers and linking six sigma to business strategy are the most critical factors for the successful deployment of six sigma in SMEs.
Originality/value - This paper reports the first study on the status of six sigma implementation in UK SMEs. The paper will yield a great value to academics, consultants, researchers and practitioners of six sigma.
Keywords Quality programmes, Small to medium-sized enterprises, Critical success factors, United Kingdom
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Six sigma is a well-established approach that seeks to identify and eliminate defects, mistakes or failures in business processes or systems by focusing on those process performance characteristics that are of critical importance to customers (Snee, 2004). Six sigma provides business leaders and executives with the strategy, methods, tools and techniques to change their organisations. Six sigma has been on an incredible run for the last five years producing significant savings to the bottom-line of many large UK manufacturing organisations. There are four aspects of the six sigma strategy that are not emphasised in other business improvement methodologies and total quality management (TQM). First of all, six sigma places a clear focus on bottom-line impact in hard dollar savings. No six sigma project will be approved unless the...