Abstract
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to extend understanding of the success of the six sigma quality management initiative by investigating the effects of six sigma teamwork and statistical process control (SPC) on organizational‐shared vision.Design/methodology/approachThe information used comes from a larger study, the data for which were collected from a random sample of 237 European firms. Of these 237 organizations, 58 have implemented six sigma. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe main findings show that six sigma teamwork and SPC positively affect the development of organizational‐shared vision. A positive but not significant influence is also observed between shared vision and organizational performance.Research limitations/implicationsPositive effects found in this study should be investigated further employing a larger sample of six sigma firms and including other variables such as organizational learning. Further, the effects of these variables on performance should be measured with real results from firms to test possible direct and indirect influence on performance.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study offer a justification of six sigma implementation in firms. This study provides the authors with an in‐depth understanding of some structural elements that characterize the six sigma methodology, enabling the authors to provide an explanation for its success.Originality/valueThere is little empirical research on the positive effects of six sigma implementation and even less that explains the success of six sigma initiatives. This paper contributes to filling this gap. It also contributes to emerging literature on how the development of shared vision affects organizational performance.
Highlights
Six Sigma methodology has become one of the most important quality initiative in the world at the present
This paper contributes to the empirical literature on Six Sigma by observing its positive effects on organizational performance
The paper is structured as follows: After this introduction, we present a literature review that covers three areas: Six Sigma methodology and its teamwork and statistical process control (SPC); the importance of shared vision in the organization; and the goal-theoretical perspective as an explanation for linking teamwork and SPC in Six Sigma, and shared vision
Summary
Six Sigma methodology has become one of the most important quality initiative in the world at the present. This study seeks to enrich this emerging line of empirical research by observing whether we can go beyond our knowledge that teamwork and statistical control of processes of the Six Sigma methodology affect shared vision to determine whether this shared vision can have positive repercussions on organizational performance. Teamwork and SPC in Six Sigma as sources of shared vision: the goal-theoretical perspective According to Locke and Latham (1990), the goal-theoretical perspective affirms that establishing specific and challenging goals leads firms to obtain better results.
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