Purpose Implementing new quality initiatives in organizations is challenging, as it requires managers and employees to adjust to new processes, methodologies and even mindsets. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between quality management (QM) practices and readiness for change due to implementing new quality initiatives such as lean, six sigma and to determine which dimensions of QM are more important to change efficacy and change commitment. Design/methodology/approach The issues are examined in this study through the analysis of survey data obtained from US textile and apparel industry managers by using factor analysis, stepwise regression to construct path model and structural equation modeling. Findings This study identifies change readiness measures which are specific for quality implementations and establishes two constructs, namely, change commitment and change efficacy. The results indicate that as good Employee Relations increase, the level of organizational change commitment increases. If employees are engaged and empowered to provide excellent quality, then it is more likely that they will be committed to change due to implementing future quality initiatives. Moreover, a direct relationship between Customer Relationship Management and change efficacy is found. Companies with a strong customer orientation are more able to implement the quality initiatives that matter to their markets. Originality/value This study is unique in investigating the empirical relationship between QM practices and the dimensions of readiness for change due to implementing new quality initiatives via data from various organizations. This study empirically contributes to the QM literature with change readiness antecedents in quality implementation setting.
Purpose – This study aims to provide a comprehensive insight into the role of the quality management (QM) systems in international suppliers (e.g. ISO, Total Quality Management, Lean and Six Sigma) on outsourcing decisions of buyer companies with regard to reshoring activities. Design/methodology/approach – By the means of a comprehensive survey data collected within USA textile and apparel industry, the authors identify four quality factors and compare these factors for international and domestic suppliers by the means of linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and consequently define a reshore vector. Next, the most-effective QM system within international suppliers is analyzed by the means of a new application based on LDA. Findings – The results reveal that international suppliers perform worse for all quality factors compared to domestic USA suppliers, which may leave the door open for reshoring activities. Furthermore, it is shown that Lean and Six Sigma within international suppliers lead to superior levels of quality because they are aligned along the most opposite directions against reshore vector. Therefore, it is claimed that Lean and Six Sigma within the international suppliers can inhibit reshoring activities of US companies. Practical implications – The willingness of US textile companies to assist their international suppliers and the challenges on this subject are discussed on the basis that supplier development (or quality management) programs can be strong alternatives to reshoring activities. Originality/value – QM systems in suppliers are analyzed with a new method within a new context based on reshore phenomenon, which provides an essential point of view for academic and industrial environments.
Purpose As opposed to general literature reviews, by narrowing down the context only around the resources related to Six Sigma tools, this study aims to offer a strong discussion about Six Sigma toolbox which has a vital role in the success of Six Sigma. Design/methodology/approach Based on a comprehensive literature research, the most used tools; classification of tools; flow of tools with respect to define, measure, analyze, improve and control (DMAIC) steps; tools as critical success factors and reasons of ineffective use of tools are reviewed. To stay focused and not to diverge from the research aim, 60 articles which are suitable to the context and flow of the discussion are selected during the construction of the study. Findings The study provides a detailed and integrated review of Six Sigma articles about tools. The most used tools are listed from different perspectives and resources, and the role of these tools has been discussed. After a broad review, a more practical and combined classification of Six Sigma tools is proposed. Next, the issue of using which tools during which steps of DMAIC is systematically addressed. Finally, emergence of tools as a critical success factor and the gaps in the literature related to tools of Six Sigma are pointed out. Practical implications Addressing important statistics and the facts related to the tools of Six Sigma helps new practitioners in particular to build a strategic filter to select the most proper tools throughout their projects. Originality/value This study is unique in investigating only Six Sigma toolbox and providing a literature review on this subject.
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