Critical success factors in the implementation of six sigma program: a systematic review of quantitative research

• Main Authors: Daniela Santana Lambert Marzagão, Ana Paula Vilas Boas Viveiros Lopes, Maria Aparecida Gouvêa, Marly Monteiro de Carvalho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina 2014-05-01
• Series: Revista Produção Online
• Subjects: Métodos multivariados. Revisão sistemática. Fatores críticos de sucesso. Seis sigma. Qualidade.
• Online Access: http://producaoonline.org.br/rpo/article/view/1348

The aim of this paper is to review the literature on Six Sigma, identifying critical success factors. For this, the authors developed a theoretical framework to assist the statistical analysis. We searched articles in ISI Web of Knowledge, using the words "Six Sigma" and "Quality" in the period between 1988 and 2010. Of the 270 jobs generated in the search, type a search addressed 11 Survey with similarity of issues. A meta-analysis was performed in 6 of these 11 articles, which were available at no cost. The results showed that very few quantitative studies were performed. From a statistical viewpoint, the main limitations were the sample size and choice of appropriate tools. The four critical success factors that could be compared were: quality culture, employee involvement, project selection and training and learning. A difference found between Six Sigma and other quality initiatives is the integration with the Portfolio Management.