Title: Creativity drivers for Six Sigma project success

Authors: Tim Baker; Xun Xu; Lizao Zhang; Phillip W. Witt

Addresses: Department of Finance and Management Science, Carson College of Business, Washington State University, 2710 Crimson Way, Floyd 207P, Richland, WA 99354, USA ' Department of Information Systems and Operations Management, College of Business Administration and Public Policy, California State University, Dominguez Hills, 1000 E Victoria St., Carson, CA 90747, USA ' Maine Business School, University of Maine, 5723 Donald P. Corbett Business Building, Orono, ME 04469, USA ' Department of Strategic Management and Operations, Woodbury School of Business, Utah Valley University, 800 West University Parkway, Keller Building 325C, Orem, UT 84058, USA

Abstract: Six Sigma projects are important to enhance the quality management process. This study investigates the creativity drivers for Six Sigma project success. We performed two action research projects that corroborated the theory that team creativity mediates the impact of openness to experience on project success in Six Sigma project settings. We then constructed and performed reliability-internal validity tests on scales via our random sample survey of 736 manufacturers in Canada and the USA. Finally, we used structural equation modelling on these survey data to test that the theory holds. Our findings suggest that the general level of team creativity is a stronger predictor of project success than environmental factors surrounding the team, such as a work atmosphere that is tolerant of dissension.

Keywords: Six Sigma; team creativity; project performance; quality management; team performance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOM.2025.147835

International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 2025 Vol.51 No.4, pp.405 - 423

Received: 14 May 2023
Accepted: 19 Jun 2023
Published online: 04 Aug 2025 *

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