A Lean Six Sigma maturity model for higher education institutions (HEIs)

Abstract

Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is a continuous improvement methodology that aims to reduce the costs of poor quality, improve the bottom-line results and create value for both customers and shareholders. LSS has been deployed in organisations in a variety of sectors and cultures for more than two decades. However, its implementation in higher educational institutions around the world has only just begun to emerge. Furthermore, there is a lack of any empirical evidence to support any successful deployment of LSS in higher educational institutions when addressing the key challenges faced by these institutions today. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to investigate the current status of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) in UK higher educational institutions and subsequently develop a Lean Six Sigma Maturity Model which can be used to assess their current level of LSS maturity and help these institutions develop action plans and strategic objectives to successfully build maturity in LSS. The study is based on a Taguchi styled systematic literature review of papers that were published on LSS in higher education in high ranking journals in the field of LSS, academic leadership and other specialist journals, from 2000 to 2020. A descriptive survey via a questionnaire was conducted in the second phase of the data collection process and semi-structured interviews were conducted in the third phase. Based on the literature review and the findings of the empirical research, a Lean Six Sigma Maturity Model for higher educational institutions was developed and tested on a mix of UK and International higher educational institutions, along with a sample of Master Black Belts from industry. The results of the empirical study show a lack of maturity in LSS, that UK institutions are in the early stages of implementation, and that these institutions have only recently started to recognise the importance of LSS to their organisation. Therefore a maturity model for this new emerging sector is vital for its success in developing its approach to deploying LSS and will become the basis for future work and publication by the author.