Analyzing Management Style and Successful Implementation of Six Sigma

This study reports on the effects of management style in successful implementation of Six Sigma. The authors collected data using a 18-item survey, classified managers from a wide range of industry, healthcare, military, and services into one of two management styles using Douglas McGregor’s Theory of X and Y, and compared these classifications among the survey respondents to determine the level of Six Sigma commitment and success. Six Sigma is just one of many tools used to improve processes within an organization that requires management commitment. This level of commitment will depend on a manager perception of worker motivation. Despite an existing body of literature on worker motivation, limited research has been conducted that explores the possible connection between manager perception of worker motivation and the organization’s commitment and success with Six Sigma. The results are explored further in the article. DOI: 10.4018/jsds.2012070102 14 International Journal of Strategic Decision Sciences, 3(3), 13-23, July-September 2012 Copyright © 2012, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. Although Six Sigma’s benefits are well documented in the literature, leading to increased interest in this one of many process improvement tools, little is known about the relationship between motivation theories’ and Six Sigma. Therefore, we need to first understand management’s perception of workers, since management perceptions form the foundation of some of the well-known motivational theories. Unfortunately, although the motivational theory literature is replete with significant research that explores management perception of workers and the benefits of different management styles, little research has explored the relationship of motivational theory and, more specifically, management styles to Six Sigma implementation and success. Therefore, this study has attempted to achieve a better understand¬ing of manager perception toward workers and its relationship to Six Sigma by: 1) determining what these perceptions are, 2) classifying managers into two major classes of managers based on their perception of workers, and 3) attempting to identify any relationships that actually exist between management styles and Six Sigma implementation and success. Douglas McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y are leading motivational theories that form the foundation of this study and aid in the classification of managers who responded to the survey as either Theory X or Theory Y managers. This paper will describe this study and present its outcomes.