Acceptability of Lean Six Sigma in a developing economy: results from exploratory research in Nigerian consulting companies

Oviri Umude-Igbru; Brian Price

doi:10.1109/IEOM.2015.7093706

Acceptability of Lean Six Sigma in a developing economy: results from exploratory research in Nigerian consulting companies

Oviri Umude-Igbru, Brian Price

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference output › Conference publication

Abstract

The application of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) varies in different regions of the world in terms of both level of understanding and acceptability. Employing a qualitative methodological approach, this paper aims to explore factors hindering the acceptability of the LSS initiative in organizations and list factors required for successful application and implementation in a developing economy from the perspective of LSS consultants. Using Nigeria as a case study, primary data were collected though a number of semi-structured interviews with representatives of leading continuous improvement consultancy firms in Nigeria. Finding draws out links between major factors such as drivers and motivation, LSS performance, marketability and challenges to the acceptability and applicability of LSS in Nigeria. Further findings highlight major factors such as lack of management buy-in, level of awareness, certification driven market, Nigerian environment and culture, etc as problems that hinder successful implementation of LSS in Nigeria. This paper contributes to the theoretical foundation of critical success factors required for the implementation of Lean Six Sigma, with results from the experience of a developing economy.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	2015 International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management (IEOM)
Publisher	IEEE
ISBN (Print)	978-1-4799-6065-1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/IEOM.2015.7093706
Publication status	Published - 2015
Event	5th International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management - Dubai, United Arab Emirates Duration: 3 Mar 2015 → 5 Mar 2015

Conference

Conference	5th International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management
Abbreviated title	IEOM 2015
Country/Territory	United Arab Emirates
City	Dubai
Period	3/03/15 → 5/03/15

Bibliographical note

© 2015 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.

Keywords

continuous Improvement
developing Countries
Lean Six Sigma
Nigeria

Access to Document

10.1109/IEOM.2015.7093706

Acceptability of Lean Six Sigma in a developing economy
© 2015 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.
Accepted author manuscript, 523 KB

Cite this

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Umude-Igbru, O & Price, B 2015, Acceptability of Lean Six Sigma in a developing economy: results from exploratory research in Nigerian consulting companies. in 2015 International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management (IEOM). IEEE, 5th International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 3/03/15. https://doi.org/10.1109/IEOM.2015.7093706

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Acceptability of Lean Six Sigma in a developing economy: results from exploratory research in Nigerian consulting companies

Abstract

Conference

Bibliographical note

Keywords

Access to Document

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