Submitted by: Submitted by amiraise
Views: 151
Words: 2673
Pages: 11
Category: Science and Technology
Date Submitted: 01/23/2014 03:00 PM
In this paper, we argue how Six Sigma implementation will benefit firms in achieving Malcolm Baldrige
standard. Our approach is focused on integrating Six Sigma implementation within Malcolm Baldrige
model. While Malcolm Baldrige constitutes the over-arching perspective of overall quality of a firm,
implementing Six Sigma helps firms to achieve the requirements of Baldrige criteria. In that regard, Six
Sigma and Malcolm Baldrige are complementary. It is expected that firms need to implement both
Malcolm Baldrige and Six Sigma to achieve higher levels of quality.
Key Word: Six Sigma, Baldrige Criteria, Quality Management
1. Introduction
Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) has evolved from a means of recognizing the best
quality management practices to a comprehensive framework for world class performance, where it is
widely used as a model for (process) improvement (Flynn and Saladin, 2001). Companies strive to achieve
higher quality of products and/or services and enhance their profitability through implementing the
Baldrige criteria. Interestingly, these requirements are well established by the Six Sigma process
improvement method.
While the Baldrige criteria and Six Sigma have followed different development paths, the have the same
roots. The US Congress established the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) in 1987 to
enhance US competitiveness by promoting quality awareness, recognizing the quality and business
excellence of US companies, and publicizing the successful performance of these companies. On the other
hand, Six Sigma has been developed by Motorola in the late 1980s as an improvement initiative focused on
quality (Feld, 2002). However, both have been originated from the quality management philosophy, and
attempt to enhance performance, increase profitability, and improve quality. Accordingly, it is worth
investigating how the Baldrige criteria and Six Sigma might be related to each other.
The purpose of this...