Professional Perceptions of Six Sigma’s Value

Authors

  • Jerusha Myrick Laser Precision Cutting. Inc.
  • Tracy Burkhardt Volvo Construction Equipment Rents, Inc.
  • Linda Nelms Department of Management & Accountancy University of North Carolina Asheville
  • Steve Patch Department of Mathematics University of North Carolina at Asheville
  • Robert Yearout Department of Management & Accountancy University of North Carolina Asheville

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23055/ijietap.2009.16.3.269

Keywords:

Six Sigma, Lean Six Sigma, Lean Methodology

Abstract

At the 2008 American Society of Quality (ASQ) World Conference on Quality and Improvement in Houston, Texas, generational diversity and knowledge transfer were two areas of focus.  Quality methodology and tools have not changed much over the years. However, these practices and techniques have been repackaged and sold to upper management as the latest and greatest cure for what ails the company.  With each acceptance of a repackaged methodology aging professionals are replaced by advocates of the latest methods that promise greater productivity.  Lean Six Sigma and Six Sigma are the current corporate management approaches that have been marketed widely.  The selling point for such initiatives is the promise that a large return on investment (ROI) can be realized.  A survey was developed to compare the cost of implementing a program such as Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma or Lean Six Sigma for various size organizations. The survey, which was divided into an initial and a follow-on survey, was administered to professionals who are employed in some field where implementations have been perceived as successful to one extent or another.  The survey’s focus was to explore whether there are situations where the promise is not kept and/or where there are situations where the impact of the cultural change does not justify the effort. Based upon the occupations of the volunteer subjects, there is a very high possibility of a positive bias in the results.  While survey results were generally quiet supportive of the methodologies and would lead to a recommendation for the adoption of one of the programs, it is necessary for there to be further study.

Author Biographies

Jerusha Myrick, Laser Precision Cutting. Inc.

Tracy Burkhardt, Volvo Construction Equipment Rents, Inc.

Tracy Burkhardt, Business and Financial Analyst at Volvo Construction Equipment Rents, Inc. in Asheville, NC, B.S., Industrial Engineering Management and Managerial Accounting, University of North Carolina at Asheville (UNCA); B.A., German, UNC Asheville; Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Villanova University. She has published research in the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) Proceedings and the International Journal for Industrial Engineering Theory, Practice, and Application.

Linda Nelms, Department of Management & Accountancy University of North Carolina Asheville

Linda Nelms Professor of Management, University of North Carolina at Asheville (UNCA), B.A., Literature, UNCA; M.B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. North Carolina, C.P.A., C.M.A., C.P.I.M. Mrs. Nelms awards include the Ruth and Leon Feldman Professorship for Outstanding University Service and the University Service Council Award.  She has published several articles in top tier peer reviewed international journals such as The Management Accountant and conference proceedings to include the Annual International Journal For Industrial Engineering Theory, Practice, and Application Conference.  Mrs. Nelms has served as the Director of UNCA's Undergraduate Research Program.  Her research interests are in the areas of managerial and accounting ethics, economic analysis, production and inventory control, and other related topics that span the gap between economics, accounting and engineering.

Steve Patch, Department of Mathematics University of North Carolina at Asheville

Steve Patch, Professor of Statistics, University of North Carolina at Asheville (UNCA), B.A., Mathematics, University of Connecticut; M.S., Ph.D., Statistics, Clemson University.  Dr. Patch’s awards include the Ruth and Leon Feldman Professorship for Outstanding University Scholarship and the UNCA Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award.  He has published articles in journals including Technometrics, Journal of Environmental Health, and NeuroToxicology.  He is currently Director of the Environmental Quality Institute at UNCA.  His research interests include applying statistical methodology to industrial processes and to environmental issues.

Robert Yearout, Department of Management & Accountancy University of North Carolina Asheville

Robert Yearout Professor of Industrial Engineering Management, University of North Carolina at Asheville (UNCA), B.S.C.E., Virginia Military Institute, M.S.S.M., University of Southern California, M.S., Ph.D., Kansas State University. LTC (US Army Special Forces, Retired). Dr. Yearout's awards include the Ruth and Leon Feldman Professorship for Outstanding Research, Distinguished Teaching Award, and UNCA Distinguished Teacher of the Year, University Service Council Award, and Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina Award for Excellence in Teaching, and Annual University Research Council Award for Scholarly and Creative Achievement. Dr. Yearout has published a significant number of articles in national and international peer reviewed journals such as IEEE Transactions on RELIABILITY, International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, and the International Journal For Industrial Engineering Theory, Application, and Practice in subject areas directly related to his teaching expertise which includes Quality control and Production and Operations Management.  He is the editor for National Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) Proceedings and a member of the Editorial Board for the International Journal For Industrial Engineering Theory, Practice, and Application. 

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How to Cite

Myrick, J., Burkhardt, T., Nelms, L., Patch, S., & Yearout, R. (2009). Professional Perceptions of Six Sigma’s Value. International Journal of Industrial Engineering: Theory, Applications and Practice, 16(3), 234–247. https://doi.org/10.23055/ijietap.2009.16.3.269

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 3 (2009): Special Issue: Six Sigma - Its Application, Practice and Utility

Section

Production Planning and Control

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