Title: Origin, principles and applications of Lean Six Sigma concept: extractions from literature arena

Authors: Darshana Kishorbhai Dave; R. Murugesh; S.R. Devadasan

Addresses: Production Engineering Department, Government Engineering College, Bhavnagar-364002, Gujarat, India ' Darshan Institute of Engineering and Technology, Rajkot-363650, Gujarat, India ' Production Engineering Department, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore-641 004, India

Abstract: In this paper, a literature review conducted for the purpose of tracing the origin of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) concept and examining its principles and applications are reported. This literature review was begun by gathering research papers reporting review on LSS. On reviewing these papers, it was found that, these papers deal with as many as seven issues concerning the LSS. Maximum numbers of papers were found to deal with the areas and sectors of implementing LSS are minimum in number. The review of these papers has indicated that LSS encompasses the principles, tools and techniques of Lean and Six Sigma concepts. Because of the integration of these two concepts, the number of tools and techniques used while implementing LSS is very high. Hence, tactical selection of a set of tools plays a vital role in successfully implementing LSS in organisation. This observation implies that several frameworks are necessary for successfully implementing LSS in several sectors. Although LSS has found wide applications, it is yet to find applications in certain sectors. In the context of these observations, this paper is concluded by appraising the future researchers to conduct case studies in organisations and sectors which are slow in implementing LSS implementation and to evolve sector-specific LSS implementation models.

Keywords: lean six sigma; LSS; lean manufacturing; DMAIC; value stream mapping; 5S; total productive maintenance; TPM; Toyota production system; TPS; literature review.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOM.2015.071526

International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 2015 Vol.22 No.2, pp.123 - 142

Received: 24 Mar 2014
Accepted: 23 May 2014
Published online: 31 Aug 2015 *

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