A Relationship Between Six Sigma and Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award

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...