Flor Vallejo, V, Antony, J, Douglas, JA, Alexander, P and Sony, M (2020) Development of a road map for Lean Six Sigma implementation and sustainability in a Scottish packaging company. The TQM Journal, 32 (6). pp. 1263-1284. ISSN 1754-2731

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Abstract

Purpose: Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is a continuous improvement (CI) methodology that has been adopted by several companies as a strategy to increase their competitive advantage. However due to the misuse of LSS theory in practice, a high rate of implementation failure occurs in many organisations today. There is a need for a structured and standardized framework to describe how the LSS initiative should be implemented and sustained over time. As a result, this study aims to develop a practical, user-friendly and accurate LSS roadmap for a Scottish manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprise (SME).
Design/ methodology/ approach: This approach was to analyse existing literature on Lean and Six Sigma that included roadmaps and critical success factors (CSFs). An incompany survey instrument was designed to collect quantitative data. The aim of the survey was to evaluate employees’ perceptions on the importance of LSS CSFs for the successful implementation and sustainability of a CI initiative. Based on the literature and the results from the data collected, a LSS reference guide - in the form of a roadmap - was designed to support LSS implementation and sustainability.
Findings: A customised LSS reference guide in a roadmap format for the Scottish SME was proposed. This roadmap was developed by adopting existing successful roadmaps from the literature into consideration and then adapting them to fulfil the company’s particular perspective on CI. This study complements current literature on LSS roadmaps and corroborates LSS CSFs as crucial for successful LSS implementation and sustainability, regardless of the type of company and/or culture. However, a degree of importance is ascribed to the organisational culture.
Research limitations: Whilst a survey was used as the data collection instrument, future interviews with employees may enhance the understanding of the organisational culture and further improved the roadmap.
Originality/ Value: The authors developed a practical and strategic roadmap for a Scottish packaging Small and Medium Sized Enterprise (SME) which can be used by other similar SMEs. The proposed LSS roadmap can be replicated and/or adapted for companies in their application of LSS. The methodology by which this study’s roadmap was designed can be used as a guide in the development of further CI roadmaps.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	The AAM is deposited under the above licence and any reuse is allowed in accordance with the terms outlined by the licence. To reuse the AAM for commercial purposes, permission should be sought by contacting permissions@emeraldinsight.com.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	0299 Other Physical Sciences, 0399 Other Chemical Sciences, 1503 Business and Management
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > HF5001 Business H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > HF5001 Business > HF5410 Marketing. Distribution of Products
Divisions:	Doctoral Management Studies (from Sep 19)
Publisher:	Emerald
Date Deposited:	19 Mar 2020 11:22
Last Modified:	04 Sep 2021 07:38
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/12548

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