How do organizations implement an effective LSS initiative? A qualitative study

Sony, Michael; Antony, Jiju; Naik, Subhash

doi:10.1108/bij-10-2019-0451

Cited by 30 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 82 publications

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“…Nevertheless, the integration of Lean and Six Sigma approach has appeared to be challenging (Habidin et al , 2016; Muraliraj et al , 2018; Moya et al , 2019; Alblooshi et al , 2020). Previous studies suggested that the lack of awareness training, top management commitment and resistance to change were the common challenges of LSS deployment (Albliwi et al , 2015; Scheller et al , 2018; Moya et al , 2019; Alblooshi et al , 2020; Sony et al , 2020). Hence, it is inevitably crucial for top management to provide trainings and equip employees with necessary skills and knowledge to overcome their resistance to change and to ensure the successful implementation of LSS (Antony et al , 2017; Sony et al , 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies suggested that the lack of awareness training, top management commitment and resistance to change were the common challenges of LSS deployment (Albliwi et al , 2015; Scheller et al , 2018; Moya et al , 2019; Alblooshi et al , 2020; Sony et al , 2020). Hence, it is inevitably crucial for top management to provide trainings and equip employees with necessary skills and knowledge to overcome their resistance to change and to ensure the successful implementation of LSS (Antony et al , 2017; Sony et al , 2020). Above and beyond, addressing necessary supporting procedures with the nature of the problem defining the selection of methodology holds enormous potential for quality performance improvement (Snee, 2010; Sareen et al , 2014; Pacheco et al , 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lean Six Sigma practices stand for the integration of Lean and Six Sigma practices which is underpinned by value-maximizing philosophy of Lean in removing non-value-added process and enhanced by data-driven Six Sigma methodology (Atmaca and Girenes, 2011; Gupta et al , 2012; Yeh et al , 2011; Zhang et al , 2012; Sunder, 2013; Moya et al , 2019; Yadav et al , 2020). Lean Six Sigma is acknowledged as a more robust and comprehensive methodology that integrates Lean and Six Sigma practices by exploiting the strength of both methodologies (Prasanna and Vinodh, 2013; Niu and Fan, 2015; Antony et al , 2017; Muganyi et al , 2019; Moya et al , 2019; Alblooshi et al , 2020; Sony et al , 2020). George et al (2004) described four key factors of Lean Six Sigma practices as delivery speed and quality; process flow improvement and elimination of process variation and defects; data-driven decision-making; and lastly elevating employee engagement and cross functional teamwork.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

An empirical investigation of the role of lean six sigma practices on quality performance in medical device manufacturing industry

Sim

Chuah

et al. 2021

IJLSS

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Purpose With the growing pressure to gain optimum level of quality and speed, Lean Six Sigma (LSS) practices have drawn considerable attention as a viable alternative for process improvement. However, previous studies revealed that there is very little systematic and rigorous research to validate the claims. In this regard, this paper aims to empirically examine the effect of LSS practices on quality performance in the medical device manufacturing industry. Design/methodology/approach For this study, partial least square–based structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to empirically examine the effect of LSS practices on quality performance in Malaysian medical device manufacturing industry. Findings The findings of this paper revealed that LSS practices have a significant and positive effect on quality performance in the medical device manufacturing industry. Practical implications This paper will serve as a valuable implication for industry practitioners in providing them with a clearer managerial direction to exploit the strength of LSS practices to achieve company’s quality goals. Moreover, this study will serve as a basis for future LSS scholars, providing them with valuable insights and directions for future research. Originality/value This paper develops a conceptual LSS framework that captures the integrated nature of two methodologies and provides empirical evidence that supports the positive influence of LSS practices on quality performance; hence, it contributes to the growing body of LSS literature in both theoretical and empirical sense.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

An empirical investigation of the role of lean six sigma practices on quality performance in medical device manufacturing industry

Sim

Chuah

et al. 2021

IJLSS

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“…There are several critical success factors for the deployment and implementation of LSS, such as leadership alignment, proper selection of people and projects, training, motivation, accountability, information technology, marketing and supply chain management [37]. Lean thinking can form the basis for careful screening of the value stream current state to find the waste and eliminate it.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Applying Lean Six Sigma Methodology to a Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Facility: A Case Study

2021

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This research examines a case study on the implementation of an effective approach to advanced Lean Six Sigma problem-solving within a pharmaceutical manufacturing site which manufactures acetaminophen (paracetamol containing pain relief) tablets. Though this study was completed in a single manufacturing company, the implementation of this study delivers important application and results that can be deployed in other such manufacturing companies. The manufacturing site faced backlogs in customer orders due to increased demand. Increased demand is due to brand popularity and recognition, product efficacy and a COVID 19 pandemic that intensified the demand for pain relief tablets in an already very busy site. With increased demand, to ensure timely deliveries, customer satisfaction and minimize delays, sources of site productivity losses and wastes needed to be analyzed and reduced or eliminated. Manufacturing Packaging line downtime was identified as one area of concern. The goal of the research was to introduce a problem-solving technique to reduce downtime within a manufacturing site without affecting the production required to fulfil customer demand while increasing product quality. The research utilized an integrated LSS methodology which identifies, stratifies and effectively eliminates non-value adding (waste) activities, by following a 7-step customized problem-solving methodology which resulted in complete elimination of the issue under investigation and savings of just under half a million dollars. The learnings are being deployed and leveraged worldwide across the pharmaceutical organizations parent site and sister sites. The presented results demonstrated that Lean Six Sigma methodology and tools are effective for accurate root causing of problems and enablers of implementation of continuous improvement.

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“…Organisations often fail to incorporate the true valuation of an organisation's intangible and intellectual assets, and the value of knowledge management in Lean (Vinodh and Balaji, 2011). Lean and Six Sigma initiatives encourage involvement of all levels of the organisation and taking advantage of all levels of knowledge (Sony, Antony, and Naik, 2020). It is important that these initiatives are not only just seen as management and perhaps engineering initiatives to the detriment of involving and developing lower ranks of personnel (Singh et al, 2010).…”

Section: Disadvantages Of the Iso 18404 Standardmentioning

confidence: 99%

A study into the pros and cons of ISO 18404: viewpoints from leading academics and practitioners

Antony

McDermott

Sony

et al. 2021

TQM

Self Cite

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PurposeThis paper aims to present and summarise the arguments for and against the ISO 18404 standard and the perceived advantages and disadvantages of implementing it.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative interview approach was utilised by interviewing a panel of leading academics and practitioners familiar with Lean Six Sigma.FindingsThe results indicate that Lean Six Sigma professionals have conflicting opinions on ISO 18404. An overwhelming majority of the panel questioned the “quality” of the standard and whether it is “fit for purpose”, while others see the advantages of a common standard in helping continuous improvement deployment.Research limitations/implicationsAs the standard has not been widely adopted, there were limited examples on ISO 18404 discussion in the literature. Much of the current literature focuses on the theoretical application of the standard, with sparse practical examples providing case study deployment. Also, the interviews were short and at a high level. There is an opportunity for further study and analysis. It was difficult to find qualified interviewees who were familiar with the standard. A very real constraint when conducting research into ISO 18404 is to obtain a balanced view of the standard from those who have a vested interest in its continuation and evolution, or not.Originality/valueThe paper provides a resource for people to obtain insight into the value or non-value add of a standard in Lean Six Sigma and the appropriate details of such a standard. These results can form the basis of a case for the implementation of the standard for those organisations currently trying to decide whether to implement it or not.

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How do organizations implement an effective LSS initiative? A qualitative study

Cited by 30 publications

References 82 publications

An empirical investigation of the role of lean six sigma practices on quality performance in medical device manufacturing industry

An empirical investigation of the role of lean six sigma practices on quality performance in medical device manufacturing industry

Applying Lean Six Sigma Methodology to a Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Facility: A Case Study

A study into the pros and cons of ISO 18404: viewpoints from leading academics and practitioners

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