Title: Six sigma in manufacturing for micro, small and medium enterprises in India

Authors: Ashish Soti; Ravi Shankar; O.P. Kaushal

Addresses: RKG Engineering College, NH-24, Delhi-Hapur Road, Pilkhuwa, Ghaziabad 245304, India ' Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi 110016, India ' RKG Institute of Technology, NH-58, Delhi-Meerut Road, Ghaziabad 201003, India

Abstract: The importance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to the economy and the industrialised world as a whole is well known. Six sigma is one of the popular quality initiative used worldwide. The objectives of this paper are to get strength, barriers, enablers and possible solutions to implement six sigma in small and medium industries. The research methodology adopted is questionnaire-based research, followed by development of standard solution matrix for manufacturing-related problems. The concept is developed based on the theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ). Finally, the methodology to apply six sigma to SMEs has been suggested. Use of contradiction matrix for problem solving gives a new line of thinking for solution, interestingly most of conventional manufacturing problems of six sigma can be tackled by selected standard principles. This paper is of great value for managers, engineers and implementers of six sigma in SMEs. It provides new insights to integrate TRIZ with six sigma in manufacturing industries.

Keywords: SMEs/MSME; small and medium-sized enterprises; manufacturing SMEs; micro enterprises; six sigma; TRIZ; theory of inventive problem solving; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2012.044012

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2012 Vol.9 No.1, pp.61 - 81

Published online: 31 Oct 2014 *

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