Mapping the Evolution of Six Sigma in Quality Management: A Bibliometric Review (2000–2025)
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study conducts a bibliometric review to map the evolution of Six Sigma in the field of quality management from 2000 to 2025. Using the Scopus database as the primary source and analyzed through VOSviewer, the study explores publication trends, keyword co-occurrence, and collaboration networks to uncover the intellectual structure and thematic progression of Six Sigma research. The findings highlight the central role of Six Sigma and Total Quality Management (TQM) as dominant research themes, while emerging areas such as Lean Six Sigma, healthcare quality, process improvement, and risk management illustrate the method’s expansion into diverse industries and organizational functions. The density and overlay visualizations further reveal a shift from traditional manufacturing-based applications toward service sectors, healthcare systems, and strategic management contexts, demonstrating the adaptability and resilience of Six Sigma in addressing contemporary challenges. This review contributes to the literature by offering both a theoretical mapping of research trajectories and practical implications for organizations aiming to leverage Six Sigma for sustainable quality improvement and innovation.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
X. Zu, L. D. Fredendall, and T. J. Douglas, “The evolving theory of quality management: the role of Six Sigma,” J. Oper. Manag., vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 630–650, 2008.
B. Klefsjö, H. Wiklund, and R. L. Edgeman, “Six sigma seen as a methodology for total quality management,” Meas. Bus. Excell., vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 31–35, 2001.
T. Pfeifer, W. Reissiger, and C. Canales, “Integrating six sigma with quality management systems,” TQM Mag., vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 241–249, 2004.
A. Coskun, Quality management and six sigma. BoD–Books on Demand, 2010.
J. Mehrabi, “Application of Six-Sigma in educational quality management,” Procedia-Social Behav. Sci., vol. 47, pp. 1358–1362, 2012.
T. Aized, Total quality management and six sigma. BoD–Books on Demand, 2012.
J. O. Westgard and S. A. Westgard, “Six sigma quality management system and design of risk-based statistical quality control,” Clin. Lab. Med., vol. 37, no. 1, pp. 85–96, 2017.
V. S. Patyal and K. Maddulety, “Interrelationship between total quality management and six sigma: A review,” Glob. Bus. Rev., vol. 16, no. 6, pp. 1025–1060, 2015.
M. M. Saxena and K. V. N. Srinivas Rao, “Quality management, total quality management, and six sigma,” Int. J. Sci. Technol. Res., vol. 8, no. 12, pp. 394–399, 2019.
O. Kodalak and M. BALTACI, “Bibliometric Analysis of Studies on Cultural Heritage Tourism,” Anemon Muş Alparslan Üniversitesi Sos. Bilim. Derg., vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 421–435.
N. Donthu, S. Kumar, D. Mukherjee, N. Pandey, and W. M. Lim, “How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines,” J. Bus. Res., vol. 133, pp. 285–296, 2021.
K. Linderman, R. G. Schroeder, S. Zaheer, and A. S. Choo, “Six Sigma: a goal-theoretic perspective,” J. Oper. Manag., vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 193–203, 2003.
R. G. Schroeder, K. Linderman, C. Liedtke, and A. S. Choo, “Six Sigma: Definition and underlying theory,” J. Oper. Manag., vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 536–554, 2008.
J. J. Dahlgaard and S. Mi Dahlgaard‐Park, “Lean production, six sigma quality, TQM and company culture,” TQM Mag., vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 263–281, 2006.
N. Bhuiyan and A. Baghel, “An overview of continuous improvement: from the past to the present,” Manag. Decis., vol. 43, no. 5, pp. 761–771, 2005.
R. Banuelas Coronado and J. Antony, “Critical success factors for the successful implementation of six sigma projects in organisations,” TQM Mag., vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 92–99, 2002.
E. D. Arnheiter and J. Maleyeff, “The integration of lean management and Six Sigma,” TQM Mag., vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 5–18, 2005.
S. Albliwi, J. Antony, S. Abdul Halim Lim, and T. van der Wiele, “Critical failure factors of Lean Six Sigma: a systematic literature review,” Int. J. Qual. Reliab. Manag., vol. 31, no. 9, pp. 1012–1030, 2014.
A. D’Andreamatteo, L. Ianni, F. Lega, and M. Sargiacomo, “Lean in healthcare: A comprehensive review,” Health Policy (New. York)., vol. 119, no. 9, pp. 1197–1209, 2015.
R. Andersson, H. Eriksson, and H. Torstensson, “Similarities and differences between TQM, six sigma and lean,” TQM Mag., vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 282–296, 2006.