Final Literature Review Six Sigma

Literature Review: Six Sigma
William J. Mooneyham
Liberty University
Abstract
Six Sigma is a set of techniques and tools for used for process improvements. Six sigma has penetrated many parts of today’s business world. Six Sigma has its origin in the industry environment since its inception at Motorola in 1986. Six Sigma has since spread to other business environments such as the service industry in general and specifically healthcare. This literature review will seek to define Six Sigma and it’s applicability to be utilized as an effective tool for management to use as a problem solving process/technique to increase efficiencies in processes, reduce cost, and increase customer satisfaction. This literature review will seek to describe and synthesize some of the latest trends and the use of Six Sigma in various business environments by reviewing current scholarly peer-reviewed journals. Six Sigma will be defined and the methodology of (DMAIC) Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control will further be explained and explored. Common tools and processes of Six Sigma will also be discussed. This literature review will also attempt to discuss some of the benefits and common criticisms of the Six Sigma process and its implementation to different business environments. In summary Six Sigma will be defined, methodology explored, areas of current applications and trends reviewed and common criticisms discussed.

Outline
Topic: Literature Review: Six Sigma
I. Introduction:
II. Background A. Historical Overview B. Definition- What is Six Sigma? C. Overview of DMAIC methodology D. Common Characteristics of Six Sigma
III. Tools, Training and Infrastructure in Six Sigma A. Project Charter/Toll Gates B. Commonly used tools, DMAIC Surveys, Interviews, and Questionnaires,
C. Use of Kaizen
D. Training/Infrastructure
IV. Applicability, Continued Relevance and Benefits
A. Service Industry/Health

References: Albert, K., Bradley, S., & Backus, B., (2011). Methodology and Physician Leadership How Length of Stay for Congestive Heart Failure Patients Was Reduced Through Six Sigma. Alsagheer, A. (2011). Six sigma for sustainability in multinational organizations. Journal of Business Case Studies, 7(3), 7-15. Antony, J., Antony, E, & Tanner, T., (2011). Six Sigma in healthcare industry: Some common barriers, challenges and critical success factors Bossert, Jim (2013). Six Sigma Stifles Innovation? No. The Journal for Quality and Participation, 36(3), 39-40. Firka, D. (2010). Six Sigma: An Evolutionary Analysis through Case Studies. The TQM Journal, 22(4), 423-434 Goh, T. N., (2012). Six Sigma at a crossroads. Current Issue of Business and Law, 7(1), 17-26. Hasan, Maruf, (2012). Six Sigma in Service Organizations. Journal of Modern Accounting and Auditing, 8(6), 900-906. Levtzow, C. B., & Willis, S., (2013). Reducing laboratory billing defects using six sigma principles Marques, P., Requeijo, J., Saraiva, P., & Frazão-Guerreiro, F. (2013). Integrating six sigma with ISO 9001 Navin, S. D., (2005). Six Sigma Basics. Total Quality Management, 16(5), 567-574. Noone, B., Namasivayam K., & Tomlinson, H., (2010) Plonien, Cynthia, (2013) Six Sigma for Revenue Retrieval. Nursing Economics, 31(2), 90-98. Pulakanam, V. (2012). Costs and savings of six sigma programs: An empirical study. The Quality Management Journal, 19(4), 39-54. Rodin, W. A., & Beruvides, M. G. (2012). A Cost of Quality Economic Analysis of a Six Sigma Program at a Government Contractor Roth, William, (2013). Six Sigma: Just more of the same. International Society of Performance Improvement, 52(2), 25-30 Sanders, M., & Prior, A. (2011). Putting DMAIC of Six Sigma in Practice. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 2(5). Sunder, Vijaya (2013). Six Sigma-A Strategy for Increasing Employee Engagement. The Journal for Quality and Participation; 36(2), 34-38.