Research Article | Open Access
Volume 11 | Issue 2 | Year 2024 | Article Id. IJME-V11I2P101 | DOI : https://doi.org/10.14445/23488360/IJME-V11I2P101

Integration of Six Sigma and European Fundamental Quality Management for Continuous Improvement of the Mechanical Engineering Course in Higher Education


K.G. Jayamohan, A.B. Bhasi

Citation :

K.G. Jayamohan, A.B. Bhasi, "Integration of Six Sigma and European Fundamental Quality Management for Continuous Improvement of the Mechanical Engineering Course in Higher Education," International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 1-15, 2024. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488360/IJME-V11I2P101

Abstract

The objective of this research paper is to assess and demonstrate the integration of the Six Sigma-Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control (DMAIC) methodology and the European Fundamental Quality Management (EFQM) technique for continuous course quality improvement in one of the courses at a Higher Educational Institution (HEI). The researchers used participatory action research methodology to improve the teaching-learning process and course delivery to students in a Mechanical Engineering course at a higher education institution. Six Sigma could enhance course quality by lowering failure rates and focusing on continuous improvement; European Fundamental Quality Management could provide timely feedback. There have been few studies that integrate Six Sigma and the European Fundamental Quality Management model for Continuous Improvement of the teaching-learning process.

Keywords

Continuous quality improvement, DMAIC, EFQM, Higher education, Six Sigma.

References

[1] Sylvie Nadeau et al., “Lean, Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma in Higher Education: A Review of Experiences around the World,” American Journal of Industrial and Business Management, vol. 7, no. 5, pp. 591-603, 2017.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[2] Anete Petrusch, and Guilherme Luís Roehe Vaccaro, “Attributes Valued by Students in Higher Education Services: A Lean Perspective,” International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 862-882, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[3] P. Ramasubramanian, “Six Sigma in Educational Institutions,” International Journal of Engineering Practical Research, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 1-5, 2012.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[4] Carsten Svensson et al., “A Lean Six Sigma Program in Higher Education,” International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 32, no. 9, pp. 951-969, 2015.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[5] Thomas Pyzdek, The Six Sigma Project Planner: A Step-by-Step Guide to Leading a Six Sigma Project through DMAIC, McGraw Hill, New York, 2003.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[6] Jiju Antony et al., “Challenges in the Deployment of LSS in the Higher Education Sector: Viewpoints from Leading Academics and Practitioners,” International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. 64, no. 6, pp. 893-899, 2015.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[7] Pavel Adina-Petruţa, and Sârbu Roxana, “Integrating Six Sigma with Quality Management Systems for the Development and Continuous Improvement of Higher Education Institutions,” Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, vol. 143, pp. 643-648, 2014.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[8] L. Ramanan, M. Kumar, and K.P.V. Ramanakumar, “Six Sigma-DMAIC Framework for Enhancing Quality in Engineering Educational Institutions,” International Journal of Business and Management Invention, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 36-40, 2014.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[9] Gökhan Sontay, and Orhan Karamustafaoğlu, “A New Method for Science Teaching: 6-Sigma Method,” Journal of Education and Practice, vol. 8, no. 32, pp. 13-19, 2017.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[10] S. Narayanamoorthy, “Investigations on the Implementation of the Six Sigma Concept in Indian Engineering Colleges,” Shodhganga: A Reservoir of Indian Theses, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Anna University, 2013.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[11] M. Shoeibi, and E. Zahmatdoost, “The Role of Six Sigma in Improving the Quality of Higher Education Institutions,” The SIJ Transactions on Industrial, Financial & Business Management (IFBM), vol. 3, no. 6, pp. 93-98, 2015.
[Google Scholar]
[12] Paula Y.K. Kwan, “Application of Total Quality Management in Education: Retrospect and Prospect,” International Journal of Educational Management, vol. 10, no. 5, pp. 25-35, 1996.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[13] Prabhakar Kaushik, and Dinesh Khanduja, “Utilising Six Sigma for Improving Pass Percentage of Students: A Technical Institute Case Study,” Educational Research and Reviews, vol. 5, no. 9, pp. 471-483, 2010.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[14] Lee Harvey, and Diana Green, “Defining Quality,” Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 9-34, 2006.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[15] Jennie Oliver, Zachary Oliver, and Charles Chen, “Applying Lean Six Sigma to Grading Process Improvement,” International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 992-1017, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[16] Ahoo Shokraiefard, “Continuous Quality Improvement in Higher Education - A Case Study in Engineering School of Boras University,” Thesis, University of Boras, pp. 1-40, 2011.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[17] Ali Erdoğan, and Hacer Canatan, “Literature Search Consisting of the Areas of Six Sigma’s Usage,” Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, vol. 195, pp. 695-704, 2015.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[18] Sung H. Park, Six Sigma for Quality and Productivity Promotion, Asian Productivity Organization, pp. 1-218, 2003.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[19] Jiju Antony et al., “Readiness Factors for the Lean Six Sigma Journey in the Higher Education Sector,” International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. 63, no. 2, pp. 257-264, 2014.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[20] Godson A. Tetteh, “Improving Learning Outcome Using Six Sigma Methodology,” Journal of International Education in Business, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 18-36, 2015.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[21] Jacqueline Douglas, Jiju Antony, and Alexander Douglas, “Waste Identification and Elimination in HEIs: The Role of Lean Thinking,” International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 32, no. 9, pp. 970-981, 2015.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[22] Ingo Kregel, “Kaizen in University Teaching: Continuous Course Improvement,” International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 975-991, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[23] Jennifer Wheeler-Webb, and Sandra L. Furterer, “A Lean Six Sigma Approach for Improving University Campus Office Moves,” International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 928-947, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[24] Jing Lu, Chad Laux, and Jiju Antony, “Lean Six Sigma Leadership in Higher Education Institutions,” International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. 66, no. 5, pp. 638-650, 2017.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]