Improving on the six sigma paradigm
- 1 August 2004
- journal article
- Published by Emerald in The TQM Magazine
- Vol. 16 (4), 235-240
- https://doi.org/10.1108/09544780410541882
Abstract
Since its inception more than a decade ago, six sigma as a quality improvement framework has been gaining increasing attention and acceptance in industry. Thus performance in both manufacturing and service operations can now be calibrated in terms of “sigma level”, and companies eager to impress customers have begun to label themselves “six sigma organizations”. In this paper, a realistic view is taken of the six sigma framework, with an examination of the basis of six sigma and its long-term potential. It is argued that in the dynamic business environment of the twenty-first century, a forward-looking organization should aim beyond the six sigma benchmark; thus additional requirements are recommended to fortify the common six sigma approach, leading to an “eight-S” paradigm for sustained excellence in performance.Keywords
This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit:
- The Role of Statistical Design of Experiments in Six Sigma: Perspectives of a PractitionerQuality Engineering, 2002
- THE EVOLUTION OF SIX SIGMAQuality Engineering, 2000
- Guest EditorialQuality Engineering, 2000
- New approach to quality in a near-zero defect environmentTotal Quality Management, 1994