Title: Analysis of knowledge management dimensions contributing to successful implementation of Six Sigma: an empirical study

Authors: Anthony Bagherian; Mark Gershon; Vikas Swarnakar

Addresses: Vectrus System Corporation, Stuttgart, Germany ' Temple University, 533 Alter Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Raipur, GE Road, Raipur – 492010, Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract: The goal of this research is to determine what elements of knowledge management (KM) influence the success of Six Sigma implementation programs in the automotive industry. According to a study conducted by different authors, over 60% of all corporate Six Sigma projects fail due to various misconceptions and incorrect SS knowledge management deployments. The research used a survey, which was disseminated to participants from Germany, the UK, and Sweden. The findings observed two essential elements of KM: 1) the company's forming 'expert systems to capture and circulate key skills and knowledge'; 2) knowledge sharing among the Six Sigma agents. The study's practical implications would assist institutions and academics in adopting these two elements into their knowledge management approach toward the deployment of SS. This study is an original contribution to the investigation of key elements of knowledge management in the European automobile industry, adopting a mixed-method research approach.

Keywords: Six Sigma; knowledge management; key elements; empirical study; simple random sampling; SRS; mixed method approach; factor analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKMS.2022.126151

International Journal of Knowledge Management Studies, 2022 Vol.13 No.4, pp.445 - 477

Received: 05 Aug 2021
Accepted: 10 Nov 2021
Published online: 13 Oct 2022 *

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