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TQM 19,1
6
Dynamics of organizational learning and continuous improvement in six sigma implementation
Taina Savolainen
Department of Business and Economics, University of Joensuu, Joensuu, Finland, and
Arto Haikonen
Genworth Financial, Helsinki, Finland
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the dynamics of organizational learning and continuous improvement (CI) in the context six sigma implementation in business organizations operating in multicultural environments. Design/methodology/approach – A specific research question is: does learning mechanisms and continuous improvement practices support
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It is not well known, however, how organizational learning and continuous improvement work dynamically and mutually. For studying the mutual dynamics of these two widely known concepts in the organization theory and quality management fields, the six sigma approach – an improvement methodology for business processes – forms a fertile context for examination. There are not yet too many scientifically sound reports and case studies of six sigma implementation in real-life. In the dynamic developments of pursuing organizational effectiveness, the six sigma approach is currently gaining more and more ground in high-performance organizations aiming at the highest level of quality (six sigma by definition). Managers allocate resources to the improvement activities they regard as crucial for increasing organizational performance. Six sigma is an improvement method that aims to increase business performance through solid and accurate business focus. The applying of six sigma is progressing in Finnish business life, and this paper reports on a preliminary case study in three companies. Conclusions are made and on how learning and continuous improvement practices support each other, and on the type of learning in the six sigma implementation The findings show that in a procedural implementation of six sigma learning mechanisms and continuous improvement practices are intertwined creating mainly a single-loop type of learning. The type reminds a technical
The driving factors for a success or failure of implementing Six Sigma is largely dependent on the inputs set forth at the conception and duration of the integration. This whitepaper will compare and contrast these critical inputs for a successful deployment. In order to accomplish this five various companies: GE Electric, W.R. Grace, Royal Chemicals, Diversified Paper and Lemforder. Some of these organizations had very successful results while others failed to reach their full potential. What is clear is the similarities of those that succeed and those that failed.
Committed leadership of top management and fully fledged training are crucial to the success of Six Sigma implementation. Human resource functions need good harmonization with Six Sigma approach(Tjahjono, B. et al., 2010).The right selection and prioritization of projects is also a critical success factor(Antony, J., 2004).
Six Sigma can help companies achieve performance levels that externally are invaluable to customers and internally can reduce costs. These projects can now be found in very diverse industries and can span far-reaching …these two initiatives can be complementary, especially for "Greenfield" process improvements… UPS Supply Chain Solutions 2 business processes and geographies
In this document we have done a detailed study of Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma and how they help Business Analysts to maximize their skill sets to attain maximum process improvements in their activities. We introduce the topic, provide a historical timeline and disucuss its relevance to the topic. After that, we analyze current state and use the information to provide results in Analysis and Synthesis section.
As a part of this step we have targeted the strategies involving the top management for awareness. It was almost a no brainer for the team that a systematic approach to enhance the awareness about six-sigma among the top management would result in interest building, followed by evaluation and adoption of the new system proposed. As a result, we called for a meeting with top managers involving the CEO and Executive Assistant. However, the lack of interest of many managers and the CEO has come as a rude shock in the beginning. We persisted with the idea of top-down approach and followed up with the EA to get positive response and enhanced his
As the health care industry continues to evolve, providers are impacted by more factors than at any other time in history. Technological advances are presenting myriad challenges and the need for new systems, reporting methods, and diagnostic codes.
The creation of a consistent culture of safety and quality in an intensive care unit can be a major challenge. Many healthcare organizations are embracing the Six Sigma strategy to reduce variability and decrease risk for central line-associated bloodstream infections. This process is known as the Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control (DMAIC) process. The five steps required are as follows: 1) define the project goal and identify issues to address; 2) measure the current trends to obtain baseline data; 3) Analyze root cause(s) of problem; 4) improve the process, while removing barriers; and 5) control the process through monitoring (Loftus, Tilley, Hoffman, Bradburn, & Harvey, 2015).
GHANA TELECOM UNIVERSITY AND COVENTRY UNIVERSITY ECM29EKM: Quality Management and Six Sigma Individual Written Assignment–April 2013 IMLOs Covered: 1,2,3,4,5 Module Leader: Andrew Nunekpeku Submission Date
Six Sigma is a quality improvement method that is being used more frequently in healthcare. This tool was developed and used in industry since around 1980 and began to be used in healthcare in the 1990's (Powell, Rushmer, & Davies, 2009). According to Lighter (2011) "This lean process management system provides quality improvement professionals with the ability to remove non-value added work and improve process efficiency" (p. 287). The healthcare industry needs to find a way to get rid of errors. Today's society demands a lot from the healthcare providers and will not tolerate unnecessary errors, no matter how small they may seem. Six Sigma works to recognize errors as soon as they occur so
When the venture is comprehended and the standard execution reported and checked that there is genuine open door, it is time with the six sigma way to deal with do an investigation of the procedure. In this stride, the six sigma approach applies factual devices to approve main drivers of issues. Any number of devices and tests can be utilized. The goal is to comprehend the procedure at a level adequate to have the capacity to figure choices for development. We ought to have the capacity to contrast the different choices and one another to focus the most encouraging choices. Likewise with numerous exercises, equalization must be accomplished. Shallow investigation and comprehension will prompt useless choices being chosen, compelling reuse through the procedure to make enhancements. At the other amazing is the loss of motion of examination. Striking the proper parity is the thing that makes the six sigma Black Belt very significant.
Six Sigma is a measurement based strategy for process improvement and problem reduction. It is completed through the application of the Quality Improvement project and accomplished with the use of two Six Sigma models. One model is DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, control), which is designed to examine
The author juxtaposes the two management philosophies Six Sigma and Total Quality Management and, therefore, perceives that they have chief components indistinguishable. Gibson & Tesone (2001) demarcated five stages in the fad’s life cycle and on comparing with Six Sigma & Total Quality Management cycle found the analogous pattern being trailed by them. On the
This paper emphasizes on Management fads and their life cycles, precisely Total Quality Management (TQM) and Six Sigma. Management fad typifies a change in management philosophy followed by the organizations. As long as management fads create a positive incremental impingement on the organization they are acceptable. The author juxtaposes Total Quality Management (TQM), Quality circles and Six sigma with different hypothesis, patterns of their life cycles and various databases. The basic difference between the management fads is their approach to ameliorate the quality. Six Sigma approach has exhibited outstanding potential and generated billions of dollars in cost savings drawing intense interest from business community.
Lean Six Sigma approach is recognized widely and has been implemented predominately in manufacturing rather than other industries. To illustrate the point, this paper draws attention to the adoption of Lean Six Sigma in various industries with a case study. The combination of Lean tools and Six Sigma methodology is used to improve the process and quality by eliminating the variations and creating workflow in a process. The hypothesis of this study was that the Six Sigma technique can be used along with lean tools in order to improve process and quality in any area of industries. The review of case study discovered the use of
Looking at the success of Motorola, many companies like Texas Instruments, Allied Signal etc started using Six Sigma methodology to bring organization-wide improvements.