SMEs in Automotive Supply Chains: A Survey on Six Sigma Performance Perceptions of Czech Supply Chain Members

Six sigma is understood as a technique for the continuous improvement in process quality; however, it has been rarely scientifically analysed small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs representthe vast majority of throughout economies contribute to automotive supply chains various tier ranks. As are known lack resources skills while focusing on short-term benefits rather than long-term gradual improvements, aim this paper analyse perception six capabilities assuming differences company size, chain rank duration. This was tested with Fisher’s exact test. Companies less 1000 employees, subsuppliers companies implementation last 3 years struggled meet principles, suggesting that mainly small inhibit risk chain. These findings existing theoretical body knowledge by identifying three-to-five-year period implementations until maturity. Practically, research explaining need supplier development over meets its performance requirements, incorporated lower-tier ranks companies.