6533b85ffe1ef96bd12c25ef
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Six Sigma in small- and medium-sized enterprises: a Black Belt project in the Swedish steel industry
Anna ErroreTherese DoverholtAlberto LombardoStefano Baronesubject
Black Belt projectEngineeringBlack Belt educationSettore SECS-S/02 - Statistica Per La Ricerca Sperimentale E Tecnologicabusiness.industryStrategy and ManagementSMESix SigmaSix Sigma methodologyIndustrial and Manufacturing EngineeringManufacturing engineeringOperations managementbusinessBlack beltsmall- and medium-sized enterprisedescription
Many big companies around the world have solid Six Sigma infrastructures and it is easy to find in literature successful case studies. Conversely, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) generally suffer lower attention in the literature. This happens because SMEs have only recently approached the methodology; they have weaker connection with the academia; or they do not rigorously pursue the frameworks. This paper is based on a Six Sigma project in a Swedish medium-sized company that produces steel tubes mainly for hydraulic applications. The project focused on the improvement of warehouse activities related to cutting processes. This Black Belt project was part of a Six Sigma education at the Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg. The case study offers the opportunity to discuss general and specific issues that a SME faces in the implementation of the Six Sigma methodology and it contributes to connect academic debate to practical experience in industry.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-01-01 | International Journal of Six Sigma and Competitive Advantage |