Title: Comprehending the deployment intention of Lean Six Sigma in healthcare: the moderating role of change management

Authors: Alok Kumar Samanta; G. Varaprasad; Anand Gurumurthy

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC), NIT Campus, P.O., Kozhikode, Kerala – 673601, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC), NIT Campus, P.O., Kozhikode, Kerala – 673601, India ' Quantitative Methods and Operations Management (QM and OM) Area, Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK), IIMK Campus, P.O., Kunnamangalam, Kozhikode, Kerala, India

Abstract: In the healthcare sector, high-quality and quicker patient services are paramount. Due to these operations priorities, Lean Six Sigma practices have received considerable attention as a viable option for process improvement. However, the intention among healthcare managers to deploy this proven methodology is relatively low, considering varying difficulties in the adoption process. This study aims to understand the direct effects of these difficulties on the deployment intention of healthcare leaders in India. Furthermore, the central focus of this study is to examine the role of change management in moderating the relationships between these challenges and the intention to deploy LSS. The data for this study is collected from 160 doctors in India who are in managerial/leadership positions in different private hospitals. Partial least square-based structural equation modelling is used to estimate various relationships. The findings offer crucial insights for academicians and practitioners in the field of LSS and healthcare.

Keywords: Lean Six Sigma; LSS; change management; healthcare; deployment intention; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2025.143965

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2025 Vol.44 No.1, pp.71 - 89

Received: 29 Jan 2023
Accepted: 09 Mar 2023
Published online: 16 Jan 2025 *