A Review on the Theoretical Research and Application of Lean Six Sigma

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1007-7375.2021.05.001

Abstract

Abstract: As a powerful tool for continuous improvement and innovation, Lean Six Sigma (LSS) has been widely used in industries including manufacturing, construction, service and even non-profit organizations. But there are some discrepancies about the understanding of LSS for both academicians and practitioners. To have a sound understanding of LSS, based on the reviews of 2701 papers from Web of Science with “Six Sigma” or “Lean Six Sigma” in titles, the evolution of LSS and a big picture about LSS research and application are presented. Six main research topics are discussed. The development trend of LSS from the perspectives of strategy, system and integration are predicted so as to provide some guidance and references for future LSS academic research and application.

Key words: lean six sigma, continuous improvement, innovation, competitive advantage

CLC Number:

F270

HE Zhen, HU Hao, LIU Hailong, WANG Wei. A Review on the Theoretical Research and Application of Lean Six Sigma[J]. Industrial Engineering Journal, 2021, 24(5): 1-8,54.

References

[1] ANTONY J, SNEE R, HOERL R. Lean Six Sigma: yesterday, today and tomorrow[J]. International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, 2017, 34(7): 1073-1093
[2] GB/T 36077—2018. 六西格玛管理评价准则[S]. 中华人民共和国国家质量监督检验检疫总局, 中国国家标准化管理委员会, 2018.
GB/T 36077—2018. Evaluation criteria for Six Sigma management[S]. General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China, Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China, 2018.
[3] DE FREITAS J G, COSTA H G. Impacts of Lean Six Sigma over organizational sustainability: A systematic literature review on Scopus base[J]. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, 2017, 8(1): 89-108
[4] HE Z, GOH T N. Enhancing the future impact of Six Sigma management[J]. Quality Technology and Quantitative Management, 2015, 12(1): 83-92
[5] WOMACK J P, JONES D T, ROOS D. The machine that changed the world[M]. New York: Rawson Associates Macmillan Publishing Company, 1990.
[6] 何桢. 六西格玛管理[M]. 3版. 北京: 中国人民大学出版社, 2014.
[7] WOMACK J P, JONES D T. Lean thinking: banish waste and create wealth in your corporation[M]. London: Simon and Schuster, 1996.
[8] 周延虎, 何桢, 高雪峰. 精益生产与六西格玛管理的对比与整合[J]. 工业工程, 2006, 9(6): 1-4
ZHOU Yanhu, HE Zhen, GAO Xuefeng. Comparing and integrating lean production and Six Sigma[J]. Industrial Engineering Journal, 2006, 9(6): 1-4
[9] ARNHEITER E D, MALEYEFF J. The integration of lean management and Six Sigma[J]. The TQM Magazine, 2005, 17(1): 5-18
[10] PEPPER M P J, SPEDDING T A. The evolution of Lean Six Sigma[J]. International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, 2010, 27(2): 138-155
[11] 何桢, 韩亚娟, 张敏, 等. 企业管理创新、整合与精益六西格玛实施研究[J]. 科学学与科学技术管理, 2008, 29(2): 82-85
HE Zhen, HAN Yajuan, ZHANG Min, et al. A study on business management innovation, integration and Lean Six Sigma implementation[J]. Science of Science and Management of S. & T., 2008, 29(2): 82-85
[12] SCHROEDER R G, LINDERMAN K, LIEDTKE C. Six Sigma: definition and underlying theory[J]. Journal of Operations Management, 2008, 26(4): 536-554
[13] YADAV G, DESAI, T N. Lean Six Sigma: a categorized review of the literature[J]. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, 2016, 7(1): 2-24
[14] LERTWATTANAPONGCHAI S, WILLIAM SWIERCZEK F. Assessing the change process of Lean Six Sigma: a case analysis[J]. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, 2014, 5(4): 423-443
[15] ZHANG M, WANG W, GOH T N, et al. Comprehensive Six Sigma application: a case study[J]. Production Planning and Control, 26 (3): 219-234.
[16] CHENG Y L, WEE H M, CHEN P S, et al. Innovative reservoir sediments reuse and design for sustainability of the hydroelectric power plants[J]. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2014, 36: 212-219
[17] SIDDIQUI S Q, ULLAH F, THAHEEM M J, et al. Six Sigma in construction: a review of critical success factors[J]. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, 2016, 7(2): 171-186
[18] SHI L X, MA H Y, Dennis K J. Process capability analysis via continuous ranked probability score[J]. Quality & Reliability Engineering International, 2016, 32(8): 2823-2834
[19] LI A D, HE Z, WANG Q, et al. Key quality characteristics selection for imbalanced production data using a two-phase bi-objective feature selection method[J]. European Journal of Operational Research, 2019, 274(3): 978-989
[20] KO S. New Six Sigma breakthrough using big data[J]. Journal of Creativity and Innovation, 2019, 12(4): 115-137
[21] KOPPEL S, CHANG S. MDAIC-a Six Sigma implementation strategy in big data environments[J]. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, 2021, 12(2): 432-449
[22] GUPTA S, MODGIL S, GUNASEKARAN A. Big data in Lean Six Sigma: a review and further research directions[J]. International Journal of Production Research, 2020, 58(3): 947-969
[23] DE MAST J. Integrating the many facets of Six Sigma[J]. Quality Engineering, 2007, 19(4): 353-361
[24] SÁ J C, VAZ S, CARVALHO O, et al. A model of integration ISO 9001 with Lean Six Sigma and main benefits achieved[J/OL]. Total Quality Management and Business Excellence, (2020-10-12). http://doi.org/10.1080/14783363.2020.1829969.
[25] CHERRAFI A, ELFEZAZI S, GOVINDAN K, et al. A framework for the integration of Green and Lean Six Sigma for superior sustainability performance[J]. International Journal of Production Research, 2017, 55(15): 4481-4515
[26] ALBLIWI S, ANTONY J, LIM S A H, et al. Critical failure factors of Lean Six Sigma: A systematic literature review[J]. International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, 2014, 31(9): 1012-1030
[27] FLOR VALLEJO V, ANTONY J, DOUGLAS JACQUELINE A, et al. Development of a roadmap for Lean Six Sigma implementation and sustainability in a Scottish packing company[J]. The TQM Journal, 2020, 32(6): 1263-1284
[28] SONY M, ANTONY J, PARK S, et al. Key criticisms of Six Sigma: A systematic literature review[J]. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 2020, 67(3): 950-962
[29] SONY M, ANTONY J, NAIK S. How do organizations implement an effective LSS initiative? A qualitative study[J]. Benchmarking, 2020, 27(5): 1657-1681
[30] TIMANS W, AHAUS K, VAN SOLINGEN R, et al. Implementation of continuous improvement based on Lean Six Sigma in small- and medium-sized enterprises[J]. Total Quality Management and Business Excellence, 2016, 27(3/4): 309-324
[31] TRAKULSUNTI Y, ANTONY J. Can Lean Six Sigma be used to reduce medication errors in the health-care sector?[J]. Leadership in Health Services, 2018, 31(4): 426-433
[32] TRAKULSUNTI Y, ANTONY J, DOUGLAS J A. Lean Six Sigma implementation and sustainability roadmap for reducing medication errors in hospitals[J/OL]. The TQM Journal, (2020-07-13). http://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-03-2020-0063.
[33] SUNDER M V, MAHALINGAM S, KRISHNA M S N. Improving patients' satisfaction in a mobile hospital using Lean Six Sigma – a design-thinking intervention[J]. Production Planning and Control, 2020, 31(6): 512-526
[34] HECKL D, MOORMANN J, ROSEMANN M. Uptake and success factors of Six Sigma in the financial services industry[J]. Business Process Management Journal, 2010, 16(3): 436-472
[35] LI N, LAUX C M, ANTONY J. How to use Lean Six Sigma methodology to improve service process in higher education: A case study[J]. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, 2019, 10(4): 883-908
[36] CUDNEY E, VENETHURUMILLI S S J, MATERLA T, et al. Systematic review of Lean and Six Sigma approaches in higher education[J]. Total Quality Management and Business Excellence, 2020, 31(3/4): 231-244
[37] JOHNSTONE C, PAIRAUDEAU G, PETTERSSON J A. Creativity, innovation and lean sigma: a controversial combination?[J]. Drug Discovery Today, 2011, 16(1/2): 50-57
[38] HOERL R W, GARDNER M M. Lean Six Sigma, creativity, and innovation[J]. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, 2010, 1(1): 30-38
[39] HE Z, DENG Y, ZHANG M, et al. An empirical investigation of the relationship between Six Sigma practices and organisational innovation[J]. Total Quality Management and Business Excellence, 2017, 28(5/6): 459-480
[40] LOBO S, SAMARANAYAKE P. An innovation management assessment framework[J]. Benchmarking, 2020, 27(5): 1633-1656
[41] MONTGOMERY D C, WOODALL W H. An overview of Six Sigma[J]. International Statistical Review, 2008, 76(3): 329-346
[42] GOEL S, CHEN V. Integrating the global enterprise using Six Sigma: Business process reengineering at general electric wind energy[J]. International Journal of Production Economics, 2008, 113(2): 914-927
[43] 中国质量协会. 中国制造业企业质量管理蓝皮书(2018)[M]. 北京: 人民出版社, 2019.
[44] DAVIS D F, GOLICIC S L. Gaining comparative advantage in supply chain relationships: the mediating role of market-oriented IT competence[J]. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 2010, 38(1): 56-70
[45] DE MAST J, LOKKERBOL J. An analysis of the Six Sigma DMAIC method from the perspective of problem solving[J]. International Journal of Production Economics, 2012, 139(2): 604-614