Lean sigma: The new wave of business excellence, literature review and a framework

In order to improve and sustain competitive advantage, organisations across the world have embraced different tools and techniques that they hope will keep them alive within the cutthroat market place. Currently, Lean Management LM and Six Sigma SS are the most widely recognised continuous improvement CI initiatives accessible by organisations with faddish characteristics. At the same time they are considered a subject of a growth body of literature which lacks consensus regarding their origins and their association with their predecessor that is the TQM philosophy. This paper introduces evidence which proposes that LM and SS are not dizzying array of management fads rather the normal extension of TQM as evolved from the theories of Adam Smith. Finally, this paper develops an integrative Lean Sigma framework for SMEs based on research gaps and actual needs, the framework was formulated using a triangulation methodology consisting of literature review, Delphi survey and structured interviews.