Title: Investigation of critical success factors associated with Lean Six Sigma implementation in MSMEs using best worst method

Authors: Mahipal Singh; Rajeev Rathi

Addresses: School of Mechanical Engineering, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, 144411, India ' School of Mechanical Engineering, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, 144411, India

Abstract: Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is a breakthrough approach that reduces defects, waste, and process variation to improve productivity and quality. To attain the optimistic results, it is essential to gaze at critical success factors (CSFs) that subsequently lead to successful execution. The present study investigates the CSFs which facilitate the effective LSS execution in micro-small and medium enterprises. Out of 16 success factors, ten CSFs are finalised through the relative importance index method and prioritised by best worst method (BWM). The BWM is a novel multi-criteria decision-making approach that requires fewer pairwise comparison matrixes and provides excellent results. The outcomes reveal that the top three ranked CSFs are top management commitment and involvement, organisational infrastructure, and LSS awareness program and training with weights 0.3875, 0.1527, and 0.1137, respectively. The outcomes facilitate the managers of case organisation with prominent CSFs, which will help in planning and successful execution of LSS.

Keywords: Lean Six Sigma; LSS; critical success factors; CSFs; best worst method; BWM; micro-small and medium enterprises; MSMEs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSCA.2020.110976

International Journal of Six Sigma and Competitive Advantage, 2020 Vol.12 No.2/3, pp.209 - 233

Received: 04 Dec 2019
Accepted: 09 Jun 2020
Published online: 03 Nov 2020 *

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