Article: Increasing calculation consistency and reducing calculation time using Six Sigma: a case study of salary determination in an institution of higher education Journal: International Journal of Services and Standards (IJSS) 2009 Vol.5 No.2 pp.115 - 134 Abstract: Six Sigma, a strategic and quality-oriented approach to improving business processes, has been adopted by major corporations across the globe to enhance customer satisfaction, heighten savings and increase revenues. Traditionally, Six Sigma initiatives have been adopted by manufacturing organisations with a focus on improving production processes. However, more recent applications of Six Sigma have been evidenced in other types of organisations, and with an emphasis on improving Human Resource Management (HRM) practices and processes. Seizing on the latter interest in HRM, this paper presents a case study of a Six Sigma project undertaken in an institution of higher education to improve the salary determination process for Office Professional (OP) employees. More specifically, how the Six Sigma methodology of Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control (DMAIC) was applied over a 14 month period to improve consistency, and reduce cycle time, in the salary calculations of OPs is described. Additionally, the improved results, and the goals achieved, are presented. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Increasing calculation consistency and reducing calculation time using Six Sigma: a case study of salary determination in an institution of higher education

Authors: Kathleen M. Utecht, Lawrence O. Jenicke

Addresses: Department of Management and Marketing, College of Business Administration, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX 77341, USA. ' Department of Management, College of Business Administration, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, USA

Abstract: Six Sigma, a strategic and quality-oriented approach to improving business processes, has been adopted by major corporations across the globe to enhance customer satisfaction, heighten savings and increase revenues. Traditionally, Six Sigma initiatives have been adopted by manufacturing organisations with a focus on improving production processes. However, more recent applications of Six Sigma have been evidenced in other types of organisations, and with an emphasis on improving Human Resource Management (HRM) practices and processes. Seizing on the latter interest in HRM, this paper presents a case study of a Six Sigma project undertaken in an institution of higher education to improve the salary determination process for Office Professional (OP) employees. More specifically, how the Six Sigma methodology of Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control (DMAIC) was applied over a 14 month period to improve consistency, and reduce cycle time, in the salary calculations of OPs is described. Additionally, the improved results, and the goals achieved, are presented.

Keywords: human resource management; HRM; compensation; six sigma; salaries; higher education; universities; business processes; salary determination; office professional employees; define; measure; analyse; improve; control; DMAIC.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSS.2009.027219

International Journal of Services and Standards, 2009 Vol.5 No.2, pp.115 - 134

Published online: 17 Jul 2009 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article

Title: Increasing calculation consistency and reducing calculation time using Six Sigma: a case study of salary determination in an institution of higher education

Keep up-to-date