Widening the Six Sigma concept: an approach to improve organizational learning

Citation

(2002), "Widening the Six Sigma concept: an approach to improve organizational learning", Measuring Business Excellence, Vol. 6 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/mbe.2002.26706cae.004

Widening the Six Sigma concept: an approach to improve organizational learning

Widening the Six Sigma concept: an approach to improve organizational learning

Wiklund, H. and Wiklund, P.S. (2002), Total Quality Management, Vol. 13 No. 2, p. 233, ISSN 0954-4127

Explores the widening of the Six Sigma concept beyond traditional reduction of product variability to an approach to improve organizational learning. Lists the essential feature of a Six Sigma program and benefits that have accrued. Touches on the role of quality engineers and statisticians in the black belt regime. Discusses organizational learning characteristics and introduces the concept of "Soft Sigma" to capitalize on Six Sigma benefits for organizational development. Outlines black belts operating as problem-owner and problem-solver consultants to cascade Six Sigma methodology to staff to improve their work. Recounts some elements of the strategy for introduction of Soft Sigma at Solectron, Sweden, i.e. black belt training in leadership, change management, supervision, and training – and generation of a supporting infrastructure of finance, statistics, and behavioral science expertise.

Comment: This piece is something of a natural progression from the piece above as it explores more fully the concept of Six Sigma for organizational learning and the need for black belts to be proficient in "softer" skills such as leadership and supervision.