Lean Six Sigma: Dissertation Proposal

Abstract/Project Summary

Lean Six Sigma is a system of operation that brings together, Lean and Six Sigma. Lean involves the creation of value for customers through the elimination of waste in the production process. Six Sigma is all about solving problems brought about by the production or service production process leading to a reduction in defects. Lean Six Sigma has applications across various areas including the public sector. In 2017, there was a constitutional amendment which placed restrictions on public spending. In order to function effectively within the new restrictions, federal agencies and departments will have to improve efficiency and be prudent the way they expend the available resources. Through the adoption of Lean Six Sigma concepts, the Brazilian government will get to provide services and add value to the public with the allocated budgets. This literature review intends to assess present practices to see if there is an effective capacity for uptake and adoption of the approach by Brazilian government departments and agencies.

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Introduction/Background

Lean Six Sigma is a system of operation that brings together two components, Lean and Six Sigma. Lean involves the creation of value for customers through the elimination of waste in the production process. Waste is anything that is not adding to the products quality and service in the production system. On the other hand, Six Sigma is all about solving problems brought about by the production or service production process leading to a reduction in defects.By bringing Lean and Six Sigma together an organization causes an acceleration inefficient problem solving and production free of defects. Lean Six Sigma has applications across various areas including the public sector (Corbett, 2011).

In 2017, there was a constitutional amendment brought about by the Brazilian National Congress which placed restrictions on public spending over the next twenty years. As a result, federal expenditure can only increase in accordance with the National Broad Consumer Price Index (IPCA). In order to function effectively within the new restrictions, federal agencies and departments will have to improve efficiency and be prudent the way they expend the available resources. One option available for Brazilian Government agencies is adopting Lean Six Sigma approaches. Through the adoption of Lean Six Sigma concepts, the Brazilian government will get to provide services and add value to the public with the allocated budgets. Every tax paying citizen has a right to effective public services. Presently, there are no government agencies following the Lean Six Sigma principles but there is a need to assess present practices to see if there is an effective capacity for uptake and adoption of the approach. Public spending in Brazil has often been blighted by waste and poor planning. There is a level of waste that needs to be identified and addressed, going beyond the legal ramifications of the process. There has been little review and research on the part of the use of Lean Six Sigma principles in the public sector despite its widespread adoption in the private sector of the economy. Therefore, this study shall endeavor to provide insights on Brazilian public sector operations to see if there is a capacity for the application of Lean Six Sigma.

Literature Review/State of the Art/Foundation works

Antony, Rodgers, & Cudney, (2017) made an attempt to debate about the use of LSS and its potential applications in the public sector context. The scholars evaluated four case studies in public sector contextsfrom higher education, police service, public hospital and local government. The case studies were all derived from the United Kingdom. The study found that indeed Lean Six Sigma can be embraced by public sector organizations in order to serve the public with improved value at lower operational costs. The paper posits that the use of Lean Six Sigma in the public sector looks set to increase in Europe and other parts of the globe in the near future.

Ahmed, Manaf, & Islam, (2013)looked at Lean Six Sigma in public healthcare settings in different hospitals around the world along with the relationship between Lean Six Sigma and various impacts on healthcare services. This was a literature review that combined data from various studies and publications. The study found that adopting Lean Six Sigma in public healthcare settings resulted in a reduction in patient waiting time in emergencies, delinquent medical records, turnaround times and medical mistakes. The study concluded that Lean Six Sigma benefits public sector organizations in the long run.

Radnor, & Osborne (2013).argued that Lean Six Sigma has largely failed in public sector organizations. The paper posits that "Lean can only achieve its potential in public services when based within a public service dominant business logic". The study depended on secondary data from which it drew its observations and conclusion. From the study findings, the authors argue that Lean cannot work within the public sector since its main approaches are from the private sector. The transition is flawed and ultimately makes its implementation within the public sector difficult and challenging. Further, the study also states that people have focused on the tools as opposed to the actual implementation.

Research Objectives

Main objective:To look into existing data on the public sector in order to provide practical application of Lean Six Sigma in the Brazilian government services.

Specific Objectives

• To understand how Lean Six Sigma can be embraced by all public sector organizations to create efficient and effective processes
• To discern the level of present application of Lean Six Sigma and similar approaches in public sector organizations
• To identify hindrances that may hinder the adoption of Lean Six Sigma and similar approaches in public sector organizations

Methodology

The data to be used in this study shall be collected from previous studies done on the subject. The studies will be selected based on their views and insights into the role of Lean Six Sigma in the public sector. The study shall therefore be, primarily derived from secondary data taken from peer reviewed journals and other credible sources. The case studies shall cover higher education, police service, public hospital and local government.

Outline/Work Plan

The first phase of this study shall take place in the second week of May starting on the 7th. The first phase will involve the identification and selection for studies for the study. The second week of May is when the data identified from the selected publications is analyzed and prepared for interpretation. The third and fourth week of May is when the report will be prepared and presented.

Conclusion

Lean Six Sigma has always had public sector applications due to its effectiveness in the elimination of waste and production inefficiencies. Studies have shown the Lean Six Sigma has applications across various public sector contexts. The literature reviewprovided insights into public sector operations to see if there is a capacity for application of Lean Six Sigma. The data used in this paper was collected from previous studies done on the subject. The results have added to the available body of knowledge on Lean Six Sigma.

References

Ahmed, S., Manaf, N. H., & Islam, R. (2013). Effects of Lean Six Sigma application in healthcare services: a literature review. Reviews on environmental health, 28(4), 189-194.

Antony, J., Rodgers, B., & Cudney, E. A. (2017). Lean Six Sigma for public sector organizations: is it a myth or reality?. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 34(9), 1402-1411.

Atmaca, E., & Girenes, S. S. (2013). Lean Six Sigma methodology and application. Quality & quantity, 47(4), 2107-2127.

Corbett, L. M. (2011). Lean Six Sigma: the contribution to business excellence. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, 2(2), 118-131.

Radnor, Z., & Osborne, S. P. (2013). Lean: a failed theory for public services?. Public Management Review, 15(2), 265-287.