Purpose -To provide a sound discussion on the Six Sigma methodology and see how it fits in with other quality initiatives. Design/methodology/approach -A conceptual paper that takes at in-depth look at the origins, pros and cons of Six Sigma and how it relates to some of the other quality initiatives in industry. Findings -The immediate goal of Six Sigma is defect reduction. Reduced defects lead to yield improvement; higher yields improve customer satisfaction. Six Sigma defect reduction is intended to lead to cost reduction. It has a process focus and aims to highlight process improvement opportunities through systematic measurement. Six Sigma implementation can have negative consequences if applied in the wrong project. Six Sigma is a toolset, not a management system and is best used in conjunction with other more comprehensive quality standards such as the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence or the European Quality Award. Research limitations/implications -This is a conceptual study and hence there are no hypotheses tested as in an empirical study. It does provide a good foundation for future research. Practical implications -A very useful source of information and impartial advice for practitioners and researchers planning to practice the Six Sigma methodology and/or understand its pros and cons. Originality/value -This paper fulfils an identified information/resources need for Six Sigma methodology. It is based on utilizing an extensive set of statistical and advanced mathematical tools, and a well-defined methodology that produces significant results quickly. The success of this methodology within an organization has significant momentum that can only lead to fundamental organizational cultural transformation.
PurposeTo investigate the linkage between organization performance criteria and the dimensions of agility, e‐supply‐chain drivers and knowledge management.Design/methodology/approachThe analytic network process is applied as the research methodology in the context of executive decisions that include qualitative and quantitative attributes. The decision model is presented, along with a case study with an e‐supply chain of a global telecommunications company.FindingsThe study develops a framework for measuring the relative importance of a particular dimension based on the application of theoretical concepts from the information systems and management science literature to the digital, knowledge economy. Since contextual factors play a critical role in the design of effective knowledge‐management (KM) systems, technical and process solutions need to be customized to fit the organization performance criteria, dimensions of agility and supply chain drivers.Research limitations/implicationsThe model presented is dependent on the perceptual weightings provided by the decision‐maker and the generalizability of findings based on our model to other organizations may be limited.Practical implicationsThis paper addresses the need for a strategic decision‐making tool to assist management in determining which knowledge management construct is most beneficial in the development of an agile supply chain.Originality/valueThis paper fulfils an identified information need and offers practical help in a dynamic and competitive environment by providing a decision model that assists in determining which construct of KM is most important based on an organization's performance criteria, dimensions of agility and supply‐chain drivers.
Abstract-The rapid global deployment of electronic business (e-business) and information systems has required managers to make decisions that seek to balance technical factors with strategic business goals. This research utilizes the analytic network process (ANP) to provide insight into optimum-seeking decision processes by managers, as investments are made to utilize e-commerce technologies. The nonlinear network approach of ANP was used to study the "systems with feedback" where the e-commerce strategy may both dominate and be dominated, directly and indirectly, by the business-level strategy. This study analyzes e-business decisions in organizations, based on management heuristics and perceptions of expected contributions of e-commerce strategies, as well as the business-level strategies. The ANP research methodology process is employed since it is well suited for the study of a multi-attribute decision problem to explore qualitative and quantitative preferences of top managers in independent, nondiversified firms involved in e-business. ANP is used to model decision complexities involved in integrating e-commerce innovation into the overall strategic planning of firms. Optimal e-business strategies are chosen by using systems-with-feedback, where interdependencies between four virtual e-commerce domains and two generic business level strategies are explored. This study obtained significant results and identified several important avenues for further research. Implications for theory and research are discussed.Index Terms-Analytic network process (ANP), decision support system, electronic business (e-business), e-commerce models, e-strategy, qualitative and quantitative decision making, strategic decisions.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.