10th Annual International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management

Leadership for Lean Six Sigma

Alessandro Laureani
Publisher: IEOM Society International
141 Paper Citations
11 Views
5 Downloads
Track: Doctoral Dissertation Competition
Abstract

The majority of Lean Six Sigma corporate initiatives fail to yield the desired results: many are struggling in turning Lean Six Sigma into a success, citing lack of leadership, changing business focus, internal resistance and availability of resources as the main impeding factors. While a lot of focus is usually put on on the technical side of Lean Six Sigma, the Leadership and cultural impact are often an afterthought, causing failure down the line.

 

The aim of this doctoral research was to assess the impact of organizational leadership on the deployment of Lean Six Sigma in organisations and thereby develop a dependency model to facilitate its successful implementation. A mixed-methods approach, using survey and semi-structured interviews, was adopted. 

Building on the existing literature, this research extended and helped refine our understanding of Lean Six Sigma and leadership, identifying the traits a leader needs to display to increase the chances of successful deployment: these traits, although not all completely new in the literature, are organized in a novel way, spanning across different Leadership styles articulated in the literature. A new Leadership style was suggested as the most conducive to Lean Six Sigma deployments. Its traits are as follows:

  • Visible

  • Excellent communicator

  • Inspirational

  • Three R’s (Roles, Responsibilities, Relations) clearly defined

  • Consistent

  • Targeted

  • Building a philosophy, a way of working

  • Leading by example

  • Flexible

  • Three C’s (Connection, Competence, Character) 

The research also showed that the more service-centred the sector and the smaller the company, the greater the need for strong leadership to successfully implement Lean Six Sigma, leading to a Leadership dependency model, into which the leadership traits outlined above were integrated. 

The leadership dependency model shows how smaller service organizations are particularly dependent on leadership to be visible, inspirational and the ability of its leaders to connect with employees; while larger manufacturing organizations rely more on leadership being targeted, flexible, and capable of building a philosophy of working around Lean Six Sigma. This would help organizations about to embark on a Lean Six Sigma deployment journey to determine where to invest more resources, either on up-skilling their Leadership team or on more stable processes.

Keywords

Lean, Six Sigma, Leadership

Biography

Alessandro Laureani recently completed a PhD in Design Manufacture & Engineering Management at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland (UK), researching the impact of Leadership on the deployment of Lean Six Sigma in organizations. He previously earned an MBA from University College Dublin and a Statistics Degree from University ‘La Sapienza’ in Italy. He has more than 15 years experience in applying Lean Six Sigma in organizations, having lead projects in Hertz Rent-A-Car and Google, and having trained hundreds of Green and Black Belts over the years. His research has been published in multiple academic journals and he has been a keynote speaker at multiple Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement conferences.

Published in: 10th Annual International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Publisher: IEOM Society International
Date of Conference: March 10-12, 2020

ISBN: 978-1-5323-5952-1
ISSN/E-ISSN: 2169-8767

Citations

S Gupta, . S Modgil, . A Gunasekaran. (2020) Big data in lean six sigma: a review and further research directions. International Journal of …

M Singh, . R Rathi. (2019) A structured review of Lean Six Sigma in various industrial sectors. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma

A Belhadi, . SS Kamble, . K Zkik, . A Cherrafi. (2020) The integrated effect of Big Data Analytics, Lean Six Sigma and Green Manufacturing on the environmental performance of manufacturing companies: The case of …. Journal of Cleaner …

P Tiwari, . JK Sadeghi, . C Eseonu. (2020) A sustainable lean production framework with a case implementation: Practice-based view theory. Journal of Cleaner Production

GIS Bolatan, . I Golgeci, . A Arslan, . E Tatoglu. (2022) Unlocking the relationships between strategic planning, leadership and technology transfer competence: the mediating role of strategic quality management. Journal of Knowledge …

S Ahmed. (2019) Integrating DMAIC approach of Lean Six Sigma and theory of constraints toward quality improvement in healthcare. Reviews on environmental health

V Swarnakar, . AR Singh, . J Antony, . AK Tiwari. (2020) A multiple integrated approach for modelling critical success factors in sustainable LSS implementation. Computers & Industrial …

V Vaishnavi, . M Suresh. (2021) Assessment of readiness level for implementing lean six sigma in healthcare organization using fuzzy logic approach. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma

RB Ruben, . S Vinodh, . P Asokan. (2018) Lean Six Sigma with environmental focus: review and framework. The International Journal of Advanced …

A Shmatko, . S Barykin, . S Sergeev. (2021) Modeling a logistics hub using the digital footprint method—the implication for open innovation engineering. Journal of Open …

N Sinha, . M Matharu. (2019) A comprehensive insight into Lean management: Literature review and trends. … of Industrial Engineering and Management (JIEM …

OMFC Walter, . EP Paladini. (2019) Lean Six Sigma in Brazil: a literature review. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma

BJ Galli, . MA Kaviani. (2018) The impacts of risk on deploying and sustaining Lean Six Sigma initiatives. International Journal of Risk and Contingency …

D O. Connor, . K Cormican. (2022) Leading from the middle: How team leaders implement lean success factors. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma

J Antony, . SC Forthun, . Y Trakulsunti. (2019) An exploratory study into the use of Lean Six Sigma to reduce medication errors in the Norwegian public healthcare context. Leadership in Health …

M Sony, . J Antony, . S Naik. (2020) How do organizations implement an effective LSS initiative? A qualitative study. Benchmarking: An International Journal

M Gupta, . A Digalwar, . A Gupta. (2022) Integrating theory of constraints, lean and six sigma: a framework development and its application. Production Planning & …

J Antony, . M Sony, . O McDermott, . V Swarnakar. (2022) An empirical study into the reasons for failure of sustaining operational excellence initiatives in organizations. The TQM …

P Singh. (2019) Lean in healthcare organization: an opportunity for environmental sustainability. Benchmarking: An international journal

M Sony, . S Naik, . KK Therisa. (2019) Why do organizations discontinue Lean Six Sigma initiatives?. International Journal of Quality & …

V Arumugam, . G Kannabiran. (2022) Impact of technical and social lean practices on SMEs' performance in automobile industry: A structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis. Total Quality Management …

E Pizzolitto, . I Verna, . M Venditti. (2022) Authoritarian leadership styles and performance: a systematic literature review and research agenda. Management Review Quarterly

F Juliani, . OJ de Oliveira. (2020) Lean Six Sigma principles and practices under a management perspective. Production Planning & Control

MS Kaswan, . R Rathi. (2020) Integration of Green Lean Six Sigma: a novel approach for sustainable development. International Journal of …

PM Madhani. (2020) Lean Six Sigma deployment in retail industry: enhancing competitive advantages. The IUP Journal of Business Strategy

PM Madhani. (2020) Performance optimisation of retail industry: Lean Six Sigma approach. ASBM Journal of Management

W Salentijn, . J Antony, . J Douglas. (2021) Six Sigma to distinguish patterns in COVID-19 approaches. The TQM Journal

V Swarnakar, . AR Singh, . AK Tiwari. (2019) Evaluating importance of critical success factors in successful implementation of Lean Six Sigma framework. AIP Conference Proceedings

MF van Assen. (2021) Lean, process improvement and customer-focused performance. The moderating effect of perceived organisational context. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence

V Raja Sreedharan, . A Balagopalan. (2020) Synergising Lean Six Sigma with human resource practices: evidence from literature arena. Total Quality …

Y Trakulsunti, . J Antony, . A Ghadge. (2020) Reducing medication errors using LSS methodology: A systematic literature review and key findings. … Quality Management & …

I Kregel, . A Coners. (2018) Introducing Lean Six Sigma to a German municipality: an action research report. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma

J Antony, . O McDermott, . M Sony, . A Toner. (2022) Benefits, challenges, critical success factors and motivations of Quality 4.0–A qualitative global study. Total Quality …

JFR Pérez, . VGL Torres. (2021) Lean Six Sigma e Industria 4.0, una revisión desde la administración de operaciones para la mejora continua de las organizaciones. … . ISSN 2602-8166

CP Lin, . CM Liu, . SW Joe, . KJ Chen. (2022) Modelling leadership and team performance: the moderation of politics and leadership self-efficacy. … Quality Management & …

Y Trakulsunti, . L Trakoonsanti. (2021) The use of lean tools to reduce inpatient waiting time in a Thai public hospital: an action research study. Leadership in Health Services

FL Lizarelli, . DH Alliprandini. (2020) Comparative analysis of Lean and Six Sigma improvement projects: performance, changes, investment, time and complexity. Total Quality Management & …

PM Madhani. (2022) Lean Six Sigma deployment in HR: enhancing business performance. International Journal of Human Resources …

E Psomas, . C Dimitrantzou, . F Vouzas. (2021) Practical implications of cost of quality: a systematic literature review. International Journal of …

M Yoshida, . T Thammetar. (2021) Education between govtech and civic tech. International Journal of Emerging …

F Juliani, . OJ de Oliveira. (2021) Lean six sigma in the public sector: overcoming persistent management challenges. Quality Management Journal

A Trubetskaya, . O McDermott, . P Brophy. (2023) Implementing a customised Lean Six Sigma methodology at a compound animal feed manufacturer in Ireland. International Journal of Lean …

PM Madhani. (2020) Enhancing supply chain efficiency and effectiveness with Lean Six Sigma approach. International Journal of Project Management and …

PM Madhani. (2020) Enhancing retailers' operations performance with lean six sigma approach. The Journal-Contemporary Management Research

S Aljazzazen, . R Schmuck. (2021) The impact of knowledge management practice on lean six sigma implementation: The moderating role of human capital in health service organisations. International Journal of Operations and …

B Saeed, . R Tasmin, . A Mehmood. (2020) Exploring the impact of transformational leadership and human resource practices on operational excellence mediated by knowledge sharing: A conceptual …. International Journal of …

A Ahmed, . J Olsen, . J Page. (2022) Integration of Six Sigma and simulations in real production factory to improve performance–a case study analysis. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma

A Trubetskaya, . H Mullers. (2021) Transforming a global human resource service delivery operating model using Lean Six Sigma. International Journal of …

V Swarnakar, . AR Singh, . J Antony. (2022) Sustainable Lean Six Sigma project selection in manufacturing environments using best-worst method. Total Quality …

YY Liao, . E Soltani, . A Wilkinson. (2021) From product to service quality: the role of managerial mindsets. Production Planning & Control

FY Oon, . AHN Aziati, . ASE Abu. (2021) Business excellence, leadership and lean: a systematic literature review. International Journal of …

M Sony. (2019) Lean Six Sigma implementation framework using resource-based theory approach: An integrative literature review. Optimizing current strategies and applications in …

K Srimathi, . K Narashiman. (2021) Leadership styles and their impact on lean six sigma practices in Indian industries. South African Journal of Industrial …

A Kokkinou, . T van Kollenburg. (2021) The role of training in the implementation of Lean Six Sigma. EurOMA …

M Sony, . N Mekoth. (2019) Broadening the Lean Six Sigma concept through employee adaptability: a literature review. International Journal of Productivity and …

NN Azalanzazllay, . SAH Lim, . UFUZ Abidin, . C Anass. (2022) Uncovering Readiness Factors Influencing the Lean Six Sigma Pre-Implementation Phase in the Food Industry. Sustainability

A Sujová, . L Simanová. (2021) Improvement of production process capability—a case study of two furniture companies. Engineering Management in Production and …

M Etemadi, . M Hamzehpoor. (2022) Identification and prioritisation of factors affecting lean leadership model. International …

D Bishop, . K Reeves. (2022) How to build a quality management climate in a small to medium enterprise: an action research project. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma

M Zhang, . A Awasthi. (2014) Using Six Sigma to achieve sustianble manufacturing. … of the 2014 International Conference on …

M Dempsey, . A Brennan, . J McAvoy. (2020) Barriers and waste in the research grant application process in higher education through a Lean Six Sigma lens. Management and Production …

VC Mejia, . AP Martínez, . EG Yordi. (2021) Simulation strategy to reduce quality uncertainty in the sugar cane honey process design. Ingeniería e …

W Barosy. (2019) Successful operational cyber security strategies for small businesses. NA

HL Bhaskar. (2020) Lean Six Sigma in Manufacturing: A Comprehensive Review. Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma-Behind the …

NN Motiani, . A Kulkarni. (2021) Leadership role in implementing Lean Six Sigma–a cross case analysis of KPO/BPO service organizations. International Journal of Innovation Science

Y Tiamaz, . N Souissi. (2019) A domain model for capturing knowledge of the Lean approach. … of Industrial Engineering and Management (JIEM …

AD Perera Halnetti, . N Jayamaha, . NP Grigg. (2021) Lean six sigma through an Australasian lens: project definition, structure and practices. International Journal of …

A Ahmed, . J Page, . J Olsen. (2020) A comparison of three simulation methodologies for a lean six sigma manufacturing project–a business case study. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma

N Radwan. (2021) The Power of Six Sigma Tool for Defect Reduction: Real Case from the Industrial Sector in Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Innovative Technology and …

OON Fok-Yew, . NORAA HAMID. (2021) The influence of lean practices and leadership on business excellence: Malaysian E&E manufacturing companies. Studies of Applied Economics

V Aramoon, . E Aramoon, . A Bazrkar. (2020) Investigating the Effect of Implementing the Lean Six Sigma on Organizational Performance Based on the Mediating Role of Strategic Knowledge Management with …. Navus: Revista de Gestão e …

V Cerda-Mejía, . A Pérez-Martínez. (2021) Simulation strategy to reduce quality uncertainty in the sugar cane honey process design. Ingeniería e …

D Elawati, . P Pujiyanto. (2022) Pengaruh Implementasi Lean Hospital terhadap Length of Stay di Rumah Sakit: Scoping Review. Jurnal Pendidikan Tambusai

OW Jones, . J Gold, . J Claxton. (2022) Development of a Kaizen series model: abducting a blend of participatory formats to enhance the development of process improvement practices. Total Quality Management & …

V Reed. (2020) Strategies for Improving the Success Rates of Lean Six Sigma Projects. NA

S Mbanje, . O Tefera. (2022) A Framework for Evaluating the Impact of Business Process Outsourcing on the Operational Performance of the Mobile Telecommunications Industry, South Africa. African Journal of Business and Economic …

H Prastawa, . A Shofia, . A Bakhtiar. (2022) Employees' Perception of Lean Six Sigma Implementation to Business Performance on Low-cost Budget Hotels. Journal of Quality …

SJ Raval, . R Kant, . R Shankar. (2020) On achieving the objectives of Lean Six Sigma by ranking the solutions using hybrid AHP TOPSIS approach under fuzzy environment. International Journal of Six …

NE Obi-Aso. (2021) Process improvement strategy for sustainable land administration in developing countries: Imperatives for Six Sigma. International Journal of Engineering, Management …

R Dwivedi. (2020) Business excellence: Exploring key performance indicators and suitable business model. Parikalpana: KIIT Journal of Management

N Kumar, . SK Jarial, . MS Narwal. (2019) Lean six sigma: a literature review. A Journal Of Composition Theory

CH Sampson. (2020) An assessment of leadership styles which are motivational with millennial employees within a petrochemical organisation. NA

N Wild, . M Cano. (2022) Organisational sustainability using Quality Management: a conceptual framework for practitioners. 25th Excellence in Services …

V Mazula, . AK Lumbwe. (2022) Factors Affecting Six Sigma Green Belt Deployment–Case of Company A. 2022 IEEE …

A Hamdar. (2020) Implementing cloud-based enterprise resource planning solutions in small and medium enterprises. NA

A McHugh, . F Farrell. (2023) Sustaining the Effectiveness of Lean Six Sigma Implementation in a Medical Device Company. Lean, Green and Sustainability: 8th IFIP WG 5.7 …

U Cebeci. (2020) SELECTING LEAN SIX SIGMA MANAGER BY USING TYPE-2 FUZZY AHP WITH A REAL CASE APPLICATION IN A LOGISTICS FIRM. Proceedings on Engineering

O Fok-Yew, . NAA Hamid. (2022) Does Business Excellence Impact Business Performance? Business Excellence Model Validation using PLS-SEM. NA

IJ Phillips Jr. (2020) Maintaining Small Retail Business Profitability by Reducing Cyberattacks. NA

Gİ Sönmeztürk Bolatan, . İ Gölgeci, . A Arslan, . E Tatoğlu. (2022) Unlocking the relationships between strategic planning, leadership and technology transfer competence: the mediating role of strategic quality management. NA

EA Munemune, . AA Erameh. (2022) Determination of the stability of a potable water production line using lean six sigma method: A case study of XYZ water factory. Nigerian Journal of Technology

ACF Oliveira. (2022) Assessing BPM's role in a digital innovation project. NA

JL Lloyd Jr. (2022) Strategies to Reduce Nonconformance of Parts in Aerospace Manufacturing. NA

KR Yarbrough. (2022) The Described Experiences of Lesbian Healthcare Professionals Contribution to Their Rise in Leadership. NA

DL Johnson. (2022) Strategies to Reverse Profit Declines at Exchanges. NA

MJ Adèr. (2020) The state of the art and practice in improvement planning for ethics, social and environmental topics. NA

TJF Herrera, . J Morelos, . N Garcia. (2022) Evaluación de la calidad de la producción de pastas comestibles mediante Seis Sigma. Investigación e Innovación en …

TA Andriamanampisoa. (2022) The fields of interest of lean six sigma through PDCA cycle and 4P excellence model. International Journal …

S Starr. (2022) Exploring the applicability of a continuous improvement philosophy to a 'self-improving school-led system'. NA

SG Coffey. (2021) Strategies to Increase Employees' Morale. NA

E Custodio. (2021) The Construction and Internal Validation of a Model for the Effective Collaboration of Distributed Agile Teams. NA

B Blackwell. (2022) Forget me not: demarginalising trailblazing and leading Black women's WEIRD industrial, organisational, and societal career experiences with “power” in the world's …. NA

RD Jingst. (2021) Leadership Lessons Learned from Lean Six Sigma Certification: A Qualitative Study. NA

K Chen, . C Chen. (2021) EFFECTS OF INNOVATIVE LEARNING STRATEGY AND INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURE ON SUSTAINABLE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN HI-TECH INDUSTRY. Journal of the Balkan Tribological Association …

RM Serrano, . MRG Ramírez, . JL Gascó. (2021) How to influence total costs of sourcing? A case study of SCOPQ with Six Sigma. International Journal of …

D Tribby. (2022) Examining the Relationship between Six Sigma Failures and the Utilization of Cost Engineering Approaches. NA

R Slim. (2020) Contribution to improving the performance of production and service systems by taking into account Lean principles from the design phase within the framework of …. NA

C Gellis. (2021) Assessment of Leadership Styles and Lean Six Sigma Critical Success Factors in the Aerospace and Defense Industry. NA

R Medina Serrano, . R González-Ramírez, . JL Gascó. (2021) How to Influence Total Costs of Sourcing? A Case Study of SCOPQ With Six Sigma. NA

JN Payne. (2020) Descriptive Case Study: Perspectives of Six Sigma Practitioners on Six Sigma Efficacy. NA

C Gellis, . A Elshennawy. (2021) Leadership styles and Lean Six Sigma effectiveness within the aerospace and defense manufacturing industry. NA

AS Patel, . KM Patel. (NA) Ranking the Important Failure Factors of Lean Six Sigma Deployment through Pareto Analysis. NA

CP Makibelo. (NA) Implementation of six sigma as quality improvement in a South African municipality. NA

M Sony. (NA) Why do organizations discontinue Lean Six Sigma initiatives? Michael Sony, Subhash Naik, KK Therisa. NA

A Kriemadis, . D Kapnisi. (NA) How Business Excellence Methodologies (BEM) transform the wellness tourism industry. Reviving tourism, in the post-pandemic era

V Yevtushenko, . M Kudinova. (2021) Practical Principles of Lean Management in Ukraine. … Conference on Business …

MA Setyarini, . Y Praharsi, . DP Sari. (NA) Optimization of Shipping Services with Waste Analysis Using Lean Service. NA

GS Ghaleb, . AF Abdulahad. (2022) The improving of Internal Auditing Quality Performance by the Use of Six Sigma Methodology Standards: An Applied Study Conducted at the General Company for …. resmilitaris

GD Vivas Quispe. (2022) Aplicación Seis Sigma en el proceso de cobranza de la sede administrativa de ESSALUD, Lima 2022. NA

RJ Tuozo. (NA) De La Salle University, Manila. JOURNAL OF GLOBAL BUSINESS ONLINE JOURNAL

A Abdullah Al Dhanhani. (2020) The relationship between transformational leadership, organizational culture and employees job performance of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. NA

MR Rosyidi, . A Rufaida. (2022) PENGENDALIAN KUALITAS PRODUK TAHU DENGAN PENDEKATAN SIX SIGMA. Tekmapro: Journal of Industrial …

J Srikant, . S Thirumurugan, . R Venkata Krishnan. (NA) Prioritization of enablers supporting deployment of Lean Six Sigma with sustainability considerations: An ISM based approach. NA

AB Kasnak. (2020) A process improvement of facility test efficiency with six sigma methodology in automotive industry. NA

M Sony, . N Mekoth. (NA) “This is authors version of the paper” The final paper can be assessed at Sony, M., &. NA

R Behboud, . H Baghaee, . AA Rastgar. (2019) Measuring the Efficiency of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Projects in the Banking Industry Using the Hybrid Approach of Modified Balanced Scorecard (MBSC) and Multi …. Journal of Quality Engineering and …

LP da Silva, . LGP Herzog, . CT do Carmo. (2021) Process efficiency improvement through DMAIC method: action research in a chocolate factory. Journal of Lean …

M Andrén. (2021) Lean och Transformativt Ledarskap: En fallstudie i fastighetsbranschen. NA

H Hairani, . A Kusumayati. (NA) Effect of Lean Hospital on Waiting Time at Outpatient Unit in Indonesia. 6th International Conference on Public Health 2019

C Saraf, . S Pande. (2019) Modelling of Enablers of Six Sigma. 61st 5th

NR Nurwulan. (2021) Peningkatan Efisiensi di Industri Jasa Penerbangan dengan Lean Six Sigma: Kajian Literatur. IKRAITH-EKONOMIKA

PX Martínez Romero. (2021) Propuesta para la disminución de variabilidad en el departamento de química clínica en un laboratorio clínico basada en Lean Six Sigma. NA

A Bunawan, . MZ Endin. (2018) Evolving mutual understanding towards the existence of different types of metadata. … PPM: Journal of …

AP Barbosa. (2021) Redução dos custos da qualidade na cadeia de abastecimento de uma empresa do setor têxtil. NA

LP da Silva, . LGP Herzog, . CT do Carmo, . FA Forcellini. (NA) Melhoria da eficiência de um processo por meio do método DMAIC: pesquisa-ação em uma fábrica de chocolates. NA

FJ Pribadi, . T Ratnawati. (2020) ANALISIS MODELING LEAN MANAGEMENT DALAM UPAYA MENINGKATKAN KINERJA OPERASIONAL RUMAH SAKITPEMERINTAH. JEA17: Jurnal Ekonomi Akuntansi

بهبود, . بقایی, . حنا, . رستگار. (NA) سنجش کارایی پروژه‌های شش سیگمای ناب در صنعت بانکداری با استفاده از رویکرد ترکیبی کارت امتیاز متوازن توسعه یافته و MCDM‎. نشریه علمی پژوهشی مهندسی و مدیریت کیفیت, 2019‎

R Slim. (2020) Contribution à l'amélioration de la performance des systèmes de production et de service par la prise en compte des principes de Lean dès la phase de conception …. NA

A Carvalho, . MA Miranda Vásquez, . E Ramos Rodríguez. (2018) Gestión del conocimiento. Perspectiva multidisciplinaria. Volumen 7. NA

M Gelbūda, . R Kazlauskaitė, . E Verseckaitė, . Ž Židonis. (NA) A Travel of Lean Government Idea to the Lithuanian public sector: when entrepreneurial action meets a closed social world inertia. NA

H Prastawa. (NA) KORESPONDENSI C-2 HERU PRASTAWA. NA