Six Sigma as a competitive strategy: Main applications, implementation areas and critical success factors (CSF)

Abstract

Organization’s competitiveness and profitability are part of its main objectives, developing different strategies to position themselves as one of the best, being one of these strategies Six Sigma (SS), initially developed in processes of manufacturing to eliminate production and services defects. However, literature has reported various applications and areas of implementation of SS, such as the administrative area. The objective of this article is to present results obtained in literature review related to the SS strategy. The article begins with basic strategy definitions, followed by the main applications and implementation areas, additionally, an analysis of the critical success factors (CSF) is shown as a suggestion for those who wish to develop the strategy and improve the administrative processes. The CSF is: Management Support and Commitment, Relationship with Clients, Organizational Culture, Education and Training, Organizational Infrastructure and Communication.

Sustainability of Railway Undertaking Services with Lean Philosophy in Risk Management—Case Study

“…The group of other risks represented 15% of cases. These ones are influenceable in a challenging way because, as proved with studies oriented to this area [63,67], they are caused by unknown people or other railway foreign undertakings.…”

“…Parekh says that the Six Sigma technique can evaluate the quality of current activities and can quantify the improvement goals so as to control success in critical activities for the project [61]. Six Sigma that was initially developed as a methodology to eliminate defects has been transformed into an operational improvement strategy in addition to extending the areas for its deployment [62,63]. As stated by Gupta, the author of the research, the interconnection of working teams and the complexity of methods, tools and techniques are important [64].…”

Decision-Making Model for Designing Telecom Products/Services Based on Customer Preferences and Non-Preferences

“…The 6s methodology was very successful shortly after its launch, due to its new approach strategy (López-Guerrero et al, 2019). This led to its use in different activities in various industries, such as: optimizing the manufacturing flow in the automotive industry (Fadly & Mohd, 2013), improving the quality of integrated circuit design in the electronics industry (Su et al, 2005), reducing acquisition delays, i.e., in the inbound logistics for companies (Das, 2005), etc.…”