A directed content analysis of viewpoints on the changing patterns of Lean Six Sigma research

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 641-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan A. Rodgers ◽  
Jiju Antony ◽  
Zhen He ◽  
Elizabeth A. Cudney ◽  
Chad Laux
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Changing Patterns ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper, builds on previous studies that explored the research patterns over 15 years, is to consider the current status of the integration of Lean and Six Sigma. More specifically, this research addresses whether Lean and Six Sigma are stronger together and explores the reasons why Lean researchers and practitioners may be less likely to integrate Six Sigma in their work. Design/methodology/approach The research utilises a survey of 25 established and respected academics and practitioners from 16 countries. The questionnaire is analysed using a direct content approach and coded in NVivo. Findings The findings suggest that challenges may lie in the perception and understanding of statistics as well as short-term rather than long-term focus on improvement. The findings also suggest that academics and practitioners believe that Lean Six Sigma has developed over time and will continue to develop and improve as a methodology rather than being replaced with a new methodology. Research limitations/implications The survey has a sample size of 25, albeit all respondents are established and very experienced practitioners and academics. Practical implications For organisations that are introducing or refreshing their continuous improvement initiatives, this research identifies some of the challenges and provides the opportunity to address them to maximise the opportunities for success and sustainability. Originality/value The value of this paper is that it further addresses the debate over the integration of Lean and Six Sigma for many organisations which still employ Lean alone, but beyond this it explores how they will continue to develop and whether they are a permanent edition to the quality management landscape or a transition to something else.

A critical perspective on the changing patterns of Lean Six Sigma research

2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 248-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan Rodgers ◽  
Jiju Antony ◽  
Sandeep Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Process Improvement ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Critical Perspective ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Changing Patterns ◽  
Integrated Approaches ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to utilise the research patterns of the most prolific contributors to Lean and Six Sigma methodologies over a 15-year period to inform the discussion on whether the methodologies should be or are being integrated. Design/methodology/approach Structured searches using keywords were carried out using a single database (SCOPUS) to identify the most prolific contributors to research articles in the areas of Lean, Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma, and thereafter patterns were analysed in five-year periods between 2000 and 2015. Findings This research demonstrates clear changing and evolving patterns of research activity. Not only is there a clear emergence of research focussed on Lean Six Sigma rather than a single methodology, there are also indications that researchers publish work using different methodologies in response to different challenges. Research limitations/implications The research is restricted to a single database and includes only the 21 most prolific contributors in each five-year period. The analysis is based on the focus of each peer-reviewed paper contributed to. Practical implications This research is intended to support and inform organisations which are developing or running business process improvement approaches by demonstrating the flexibility of Lean and Sigma, and evidencing that researchers work across different approaches and combine them when appropriate. Originality/value This paper provides a unique perspective on the debate for the integration of Lean and Six Sigma by looking at the patterns of work of researchers themselves to identify whether the focus of research has in fact moved on from exclusively lean or Six Sigma to more integrated approaches as has been argued in individual pieces of research.

scholarly journals All insects are equal, but some insects are more equal than others

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (4) ◽  
pp. 852-863 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnout R.H. Fischer ◽  
L.P.A. (Bea) Steenbekkers
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Prior Experience ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Valuable Contribution ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Insects As Food ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Lack of acceptance of insects as food is considered a barrier against societal adoption of the potentially valuable contribution of insects to human foods. An underlying barrier may be that insects are lumped together as one group, while consumers typically try specific insects. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the ways in which Dutch consumers, with and without insect tasting experience, are more or less willing to eat different insects. Design/methodology/approach In a quasi-experimental study (n=140), the participants with and without prior experience in eating insects were asked to give their willingness to eat a range of insects, and their attitudes and disgust towards eating insects. Findings Insects promoted in the market were more preferred than the less marketed insects, and a subgroup of preferred insects for participants with experience in eating insects was formed. Research limitations/implications Although well-known insects were more preferred, general willingness to eat remained low for all participants. The results indicate that in future research on insects as food the specific insects used should be taken into account. Practical implications Continued promotion of specific, carefully targeted, insects may not lead to short-term uptake of insects as food, but may contribute to willingness to eat insects as human food in the long term. Originality/value The paper shows substantial differences between consumers who have and who have not previously tasted insects, with higher acceptance of people with experience in tasting insects for the specific insects that are frequently promoted beyond their generally more positive attitude towards eating insects.

The impact of religiosity on corporate loans and maturity structure: evidence from China

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 307-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fansheng Jia ◽  
Yilin Zhang ◽  
Kam C. Chan ◽  
Sujuan Xie
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Explanatory Variable ◽  
Private Firm ◽  
Local Culture ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Maturity Structure ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to examine the relation between religiosity and formal financing in the context of long- and short-term corporate loans. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses archival methodology to conduct a multiple regression analysis with the amount of long- and short-term corporate loans as the dependent variable and a measure of religiosity as the key explanatory variable. Findings This paper offers four findings. First, when a private firm locates in a high religiosity region, it is more likely to get more corporate loans and the amount of corporate loans is positively correlated with the extent of religiosity. Second, religiosity drives a private firm getting more (less) short-term (long-term) loans. Third, a private firm in a high religiosity region is able to incur lower interest cost associated with more short-term loans. Finally, the results are confined to Buddhism, Taoism and Christianity. Practical implications Overall, the findings are consistent with the notion that religiosity shapes the local culture so that individuals, some of them are borrowers and lenders, show the religious traits in the formal lending and borrowing relationship. Originality/value Overall, findings of this paper are consistent with the notion that religiosity shapes the local culture so that individuals, some of them being borrowers and lenders, show religious traits in the formal lending and borrowing relationship.

How blended learning can create a more inclusive culture

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 118-122
Author(s):  
Angela Peacock
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Climate ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Company Culture ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
Business As Usual ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Lasting Change

Purpose – The challenges and problems that organizations face nowadays are often due to there being a gap between their current situation and where they want to be. Often this disparity between perception and reality is caused by something deep and fundamental in the company culture – something that may not be readily apparent to those working there. This paper aims to deal with the question of how to create genuine, lasting change in organizational climate so that all employees feel they can bring all of themselves to work, without fear or judgment and with a deep belief that their contributions will be heard. Design/methodology/approach – There are a number of reasons why driving an inclusive culture is so difficult and this paper identifies a new perspective on developing and embedding inclusion. Most importantly, it addresses how a bespoke, blended approach to any input will allow you to implement training that really works. Findings – Many organizations view fixing problems with company culture as an expensive luxury with unpredictable outcomes. As a result, the kind of training that embeds genuine, lasting change is often overlooked in favor of short-term solutions that do not get to the root of the problem. A bespoke, blended approach allows for training that really works long term and therefore ensures the greatest possible value for your organization. Practical implications – A blended approach done well should be a powerful, joined up and strategic driver that enables an inclusive culture to be created, resulting in it becoming business as usual, where the best available talent is attracted, thrives and drives your strategic aims and your business forwards. Originality/value – Often the kind of training that gets done in this area is short term and does not get to the root of the problem. This paper provides guidance in developing and embedding inclusion and although it may challenge beliefs if these principles are followed it will guarantee rapid, lasting improvements at all levels.

The effects of IT: from performance to value

2014 ◽  
Vol 114 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chorng-Shyong Ong ◽  
Po-Yen Chen
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Firm Value ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Test Methods ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustained Competitive Advantage ◽  
It Capabilities ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to differentiate and define the concepts of firm performance and firm value. Then, the implications of information technology (IT)-enabled firm performance and firm value will be clarified. Finally, the effects of IT capabilities on firm performance and firm value will be compared. Design/methodology/approach – InformationWeek's IT leader rankings (from 1998 to 2011) are used for analysis in a longitudinal study. Three different test methods (i.e. significant years, significant levels, and adjusted-previous performance) are used. Findings – It is confirmed that no matter which tests are examined, the contributions of IT capabilities to firm value are all greater than those to firm performance. This also shows that IT contributes to long-term influences more than it does to short-term influences. Research limitations/implications – This study confirms that firm performance (accounting-based measures) and firm value (financial market-based measures) are two different variables and IT capabilities affect these two parts differently. Practical implications – Firms should use a long-term viewpoint to deploy their IT strategies. This will create a long-term growth of firm value leading to greater competitiveness, and, ultimately, sustained competitive advantage. Originality/value – The differences between firm performance and firm value in measurements, characteristics, and implications are specified. The empirical study confirms that IT capabilities contribute more to firm value than to firm performance, although IT capabilities influence both at the same time.

Impacts of Lean Six Sigma over organizational sustainability

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jéssica Galdino de Freitas ◽  
Helder Gomes Costa
Keyword(s):  
Six Sigma ◽  
Sustainable Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Systematic Research ◽  
Organizational Sustainability ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose In a view to its comprehensive and diverse applicability, the methodology Lean Six Sigma (LSS) has the potential to the generation of impacts on various aspects of an organization. This paper aims to carry out a systematic study of LSS impacts on organizations, analyzing their relation to organizational sustainability through the triple bottom line perspective. Design/methodology/approach A systematic review of the existent literature on LSS was performed and the identified impacts were later classified as correspondence with three dimensions of organizational sustainability: financial, social and environmental. Findings There were identified 25 main impacts of the LSS through a systematic research of the literature. A greater correspondence of the LSS have been identified over a range of economic results in organizations; however, it was also possible to notice that the methodology has been directing its efforts gradually to meet further perspectives of sustainability, particularly by looking for a better relation with employees and customers. Practical implications The organizations that use the LSS as methodology to continuous improvement will be able to identify which impacts may need to be achieved primarily by the projects undertaken to enhance the achievement of a more sustainable management. Because of its comprehensive character, this paper can help organizations belonging to various industries and sectors of society. Originality/value Despite the growing number of published articles on the methodology LSS, it has not been identified articles that look for the study of the application of the methodology as a mechanism for increasing sustainability in organizations. Within the scenario presented, this study sought to assist the filling of this gap.

Prediction of user interest fluctuation using fuzzy neural networks in web search

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 307-319
Author(s):  
Senthilkumar N C ◽  
Pradeep Reddy Ch
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Web Search ◽  
Fuzzy Neural Networks ◽  
User Interest ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Temporal Aspects ◽  
Fuzzy Neural ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe user interest in content searching in the web will be changed over by time.Design/methodology/approachThe system is in need to find the content of user over the temporal aspects.FindingsSo, predicting the user interest over the time by analyzing the fluctuations of their search keyword is important.Research limitations/implicationsSo, predicting the user interest over the time by analyzing the fluctuations of their search keyword is important.Practical implicationsIn this work, fuzzy neural network techniques are used to predict the user interest fluctuation in different times in different scenarios.Social implicationsIn this proposed work, both the long-term and short-term interest are evaluated using the specialized user interface designed to retrieve the user interest based on the user searching activities.Originality/valueThis work also categorizes the future needs of users using this proposed system.

Integration of continuous improvement strategies with Industry 4.0: a systematic review and agenda for further research

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Vinodh ◽  
Jiju Antony ◽  
Rohit Agrawal ◽  
Jacqueline Ann Douglas
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Major Transformation ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the history, trends and needs of continuous improvement (CI) and Industry 4.0. Four strategies are reviewed, namely, Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen and Sustainability.Design/methodology/approachDigitalization and CI practices contribute to a major transformation in industrial practices. There exists a need to amalgamate Industry 4.0 technologies with CI strategies to ensure significant benefits. A systematic literature review methodology has been followed to review CI strategy and Industry 4.0 papers (n = 92).FindingsVarious frameworks of Industry 4.0, their advantages and disadvantages were explored. A conceptual framework integrating CI strategies and Industry 4.0 is being presented in this paper.Practical implicationsThe benefits and practical application of the developed framework has been presented.Originality/valueThe article is an attempt to review CI strategies with Industry 4.0. A conceptual framework for the integration is also being presented.

Navigating the paradoxes of organizational diversity management

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 49-51
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Diversity Management ◽  
Organizational Diversity ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bureaucratic Control ◽  
The Status ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings This research paper concerns itself with understanding the paradoxes faced by diversity managers when attempting to successfully implement organizational diversity-enhancing initiatives. Three major paradoxes that confront diversity managers were identified: the need for change vs. the desire to maintain the status-quo, bureaucratic control vs. flexible procedures, and long-term business gains vs. short term losses. Diversity managers have the choice to adopt an either/or strategy or a manifold strategy to deal with these paradoxes. It was found that both strategies were initially used interchangeably, but as a diversity manager’s experience grew they employed the manifold strategy to effectively manage workplace tensions. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Lean and Six Sigma in policing: austerity, driver or distraction?

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan Rodgers ◽  
Jiju Antony ◽  
Ivor Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Recent Discussion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Direction ◽  
Ongoing Work ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to widen some of the recent discussion which focusses on austerity being the driver for introducing continuous improvement (CI) methodologies, such as Lean and Six Sigma, into policing. Design/methodology/approach The authors apply over 80 years combined experience in policing and CI to analyse academic and practitioner literature to summarise the drivers for change and the progress of Lean and Six Sigma in policing and the UK Public Sector. Findings The paper concludes that there are significant gaps in the literature and while there are undoubted challenges, there are overlaps between the strategic direction of policing and the approaches of Lean and Six Sigma. Research limitations/implications There are a small but growing number of papers which evidence the applicability of Lean and Six Sigma in policing. Practical implications The paper emphasises the risks to service delivery if factors such as budget constraints are considered in isolation. The paper provides examples of opportunities which may exist in policing as well as introducing ongoing work in policing. Originality/value This paper is among the first to explore the issues of how CI methodologies fit into the strategic direction and challenges of policing services.

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