Descriptive Case Study: Perspectives of Six Sigma Practitioners on Six Sigma Efficacy

Six Sigma (SS) has been recognized as a powerful philosophy, scientific methodology, and business strategy for decades in the manufacturing industry, and now more so in the service industry. It was unknown how SS practitioners perceived its efficacy and if the DMAIC model may require modification wi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author Payne, Jacquelyn Nicole
Format Dissertation
LanguageEnglish
Published ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01.01.2020
Subjects
Academic Achievement
Behavioral Sciences
Business education
Case Studies
Credibility
Data Collection
Educational leadership
Engineering
Epistemology
Evidence
Focus Groups
Interviews
Leadership Styles
Manufacturing
Manufacturing Industry
Organizational Culture
Philosophy
Professional Services
Qualitative Research
Questionnaires
Research Design
Research Methodology
Researchers
Sampling
Scientific Methodology
Scientific Research
Self Efficacy
Semi Structured Interviews
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Six Sigma (SS) has been recognized as a powerful philosophy, scientific methodology, and business strategy for decades in the manufacturing industry, and now more so in the service industry. It was unknown how SS practitioners perceived its efficacy and if the DMAIC model may require modification within the logistics operations service industry. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive single case study was to understand SS practitioners’ perspective of SS efficacy and to determine if the DMAIC model may require modification. Utilizing questionnaires, interviews, and a focus group, this study gathered data that answered two research questions: (1) How do practitioners of SS understand the efficacy, or lack thereof, within the logistics operations service industry? (2) How do SS practitioners perceive how the DMAIC model might require modification within the logistics operations service industry? Inductive thematic analysis produced six themes: (1) SS practitioners believed that with SS they were able to produce successful outcomes; (2) SS practitioners have a shared belief that SS was the reason for their competitive advantage; (3) SS practitioners’ collective outlook was that the DMAIC model does not require modification; (4) SS practitioners were able to determine appropriate tools and usage of DMAIC based on skill level; (5) SS practitioners believe that the DMAIC model is agile; (6) Maturity of certification level, years of experience, and exposure to SS imparts a culture of continuous improvement. The themes aligned with antecedent findings of SS’s ability to produce continuous improvement and the DMAIC model’s effectiveness as designed.
ISBN:9798672179490