Abstract
PurposeThe effectiveness of Six Sigma programs has varied across different industries and organizations, and leadership styles have been identified as a critical success factor for the installation of Six Sigma initiatives. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the specific elements of leadership styles that are linked with the successful deployment of Six Sigma programs in the automobile industry.Design/methodology/approachTo conduct the study, the researchers utilized a Likert scale questionnaire with a rating system of 1–7 and a simple random sampling method. The survey was distributed to 2,325 potential participants, with 573 responses received, mostly from Germany, the United Kingdom and Sweden. Out of those responses, 260 completed questionnaires were received. The study utilized a mixed-methods research design and exploratory research approaches to investigate the implication of leadership style on the success of Six Sigma implementation. The research employed several analysis techniques, including Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Survey methods.FindingsThrough various SEM methods, such as EFA and CFA, the study revealed two vital leadership elements: (1) the long-term success of Six Sigma depends on leadership’s support and recognition of it as an improvement strategy and (2) leadership must commit to the organization’s suppliers to ensure quality and the provision of defect-free products.Practical implicationsBy incorporating the identified key elements of leadership into their strategies, organizations and researchers can ensure the sustainable implementation of Six Sigma.Originality/valueThis research presents a distinct contribution to the evaluation of leadership style components within the European automotive sector, utilizing a mixed-methods research design and incorporating a variety of descriptive statistics.
Subject
General Business, Management and Accounting
Reference151 articles.
1. Critical success factors for lean implementation within SMEs;Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management,2006
2. Lean leadership attributes: a systematic review of the literature;Journal of Health, Organisation and Management,2017
3. The impact of quality management practices on knowledge management processes: a study of a social security corporation in Jordan;The TQM Journal,2022
4. Critical failure factors of Lean Six Sigma: a systematic literature review;International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management,2014