Title: Analytic hierarchy process used to estimate the performance of companies that implement lean manufacturing and Six Sigma

Authors: Ibrahim Alhuraish; Christian Robeldo; Abdessamad Kobi; Lotfi Azzabi

Addresses: University of Angers, LARIS Systems Engineering Research Laboratory, ISTIA Engineering School, Angers 49000, France ' University of Angers, LARIS Systems Engineering Research Laboratory, ISTIA Engineering School, Angers 49000, France ' University of Angers, LARIS Systems Engineering Research Laboratory, ISTIA Engineering School, Angers 49000, France ' University of Angers, LARIS Systems Engineering Research Laboratory, ISTIA Engineering School, Angers 49000, France

Abstract: This study analyses company performance by using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to rank the performance of participating companies. The Super Decisions software package was used to compute the rating score. The first stage of this work involved collecting empirical data via questionnaires to characterise the impact of implementing quality and operational methodologies. Next, the AHP was constructed to rank the characteristics in terms of their effectiveness in improving company performance. The research results indicate that companies implementing lean manufacturing and Six Sigma are more effective in improving their financial and operational performance. Additionally, the results reveal that implementing lean manufacturing alone is sufficient to improve innovation performance.

Keywords: multiple-criteria decision-making; analytic hierarchy process; structural modelling; continuous improvement; lean manufacturing; six sigma; France.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSCA.2017.086574

International Journal of Six Sigma and Competitive Advantage, 2017 Vol.10 No.3/4, pp.179 - 200

Received: 25 Feb 2016
Accepted: 24 Oct 2016
Published online: 12 Sep 2017 *

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