A Study On The Application Of Six Sigma In Corporate Competitive Strategy

Although Six Sigma has gained a broad and significant success in industry, the academic community lags behind in its systematical and theoretical research on this management methodology. In order to optimize the application of Six Sigma and maximize the beneft of it, we need to probe into some questions, such as'how Six Sigma affects the competency of a company', and'how a company applies Six Sigma into its competitive strategy'. This thesis is attempting to use the theories of Strategy Management and Organization Behavior on this subject, and does a study on the Six Sigma's application in company competing strategy from a competency perspective. Firstly, it introduces the Six Sigma methodology. Secondly, it utilizes the Objective Theory to explore the functioning mechanism of Six Sigma. It raises the hypothesis on the relationship between Six Sigma objective and the performance or competency. Thirdly, it sums up the researches in related area and discusses the interactions between Six Sigma and Competency or Competitive Strategy. And it makes the hypothesis on the relationship between Six Sigma and competitive strategy. Then this thesis presents a case study on the Six Sigma application in a Global 500 Company. By the case analysis, it outlines some aspects that Six Sigma can support company's competitive strategy very well, and some precautions we should take when we want forge Six Sigma into the corporate competitive strategy. Finally, it designs an on-line survey for related departments and groups in the company. The analysis on the results of this survey verifies theory hypothesis. By that the thesis draws conclusions and points out the future focuses of this study.