Title: The Six Sigma approach in performance management to improve safety culture at work

Authors: Peter Lok, Jo Rhodes, Abe Diamond, Nitin Bhatia

Addresses: International Graduate School of Business, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia. ' International Graduate School of Business, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia. ' ITLS, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Sydney, NSW 2005, Australia. ' ITLS, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Sydney, NSW 2005, Australia

Abstract: This case study uses the Six Sigma process framework in performance management to explore and decrease the injury rate of an international waste disposal firm. The results indicate that an employee-management consensus approach to continuous improvement in safety management in the workplace is essential. The evidence from this case suggests that the Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control (DMAIC) Six Sigma process and an analysis tool such as the fishbone diagram can be easily adopted as measurements and reduce the injury rate in the workplace. Furthermore, the case shows that management commitment and employee ownership of the Six Sigma programme is the key to continuous improvement and the development of a safety culture and a learning organisation.

Keywords: six sigma; performance management; safety culture; continuous improvement; define measure analyse improve control; DMAIC; injury rate; waste disposal; safety management; workplace safety; management commitment; employee ownership; learning organisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSCA.2008.020280

International Journal of Six Sigma and Competitive Advantage, 2008 Vol.4 No.2, pp.151 - 171

Published online: 14 Sep 2008 *

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