Six Sigma Methodology: Is It a Success Factor for Companies?

Wendel Alex Castro Silva,Andréia De Oliveira Santos,Luciano De Oliveira Fuscaldi Neves

doi:10.5539/ibr.v10n5p179

Wendel Alex Castro Silva, Andréia De Oliveira Santos + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5539/ibr.v10n5p179

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Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of the economic performance and profitability of companies using the Six Sigma methodology. Of the 425 Brazilian companies currently on the open market, 93 use Six Sigma. The companies were first categorised by their sectors, according to how they are classified on the capital market, and then, by their size according to the Brazilian Development Bank. The results in recent years (2011–2013) of companies that use Six Sigma were compared to the results of those that do not, based on a statistical inference test of the differences between the two populations, with unknown standard deviations and a confidence interval established at the 95% level. The findings show that, in nine sectors, the Six Sigma methodology contributes to the optimisation of processes and economic performance.

Highlights

Due to increasing competition, quality improvement practices are becoming a requirement for companies that wish to remain active in the market
The methodology – quantitative and descriptive methods supported by documentary research – applied in this study was effective in achieving the research goals, since it made possible, through indirect data, analyses and comparisons of the use or non-use of 6σ by 425 companies listed in the Brazilian open capital market
After classification of the companies by size, the results revealed that 78 (83.87%) out of the 93 companies analysed that use the 6σ methodology are large

Summary

Introduction

Quality improvement practices are becoming a requirement for companies that wish to remain active in the market. Specialists have extensively discussed methods for optimising processes and services, starting with the reduction of variability, which contributes to more efficient economic and financial results and reduces the operating costs of processes and services. Experts see the implementation of the Six Sigma (6σ) methodology, which uses statistical tools, as a means of reducing processes’ variation, increasing productivity and profitability and cutting down on costs (Almeida, Müller, Reis, Neto & Minervi, 2012; Andrietta & Miguel, 2007; Antony, 2004; Cabrera Júnior, 2006; Chanade, 2009; Corrêa & Corrêa 2011; Eckes, 2001; Roos, 2009; Trad & Maximiano, 2009). In Brazil, the most famous case is the Brasmotor Group, both for being the first company with national technology to apply 6σ in the country and for having managed to obtain, in 1999, two years after the implementation of the 6σ programme, financial gains in the order of 20 million Brazilian reais (Werkema, 2002)

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