An Empirical Study Into the Limitations and Emerging Trends of Six Sigma: Findings From a Global Survey

The purpose of this article is to identify and evaluate the limitations and emerging trends of Six Sigma from the perspectives of Six Sigma experts. The authors developed an online global survey and deployed the survey to 1250 Six Sigma experts of which 307 experts responded. The article finds integration of Six Sigma with Big Data to be the topmost among Asian, South American, and African experts, whereas European and North American experts felt Six Sigma in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises and Micro-enterprises would be very beneficial. The manufacturing sector experts nominated the topmost emerging trend as Six Sigma in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises and Micro-enterprises to be very challenging and will be rewarding if implemented properly. In the service sector, the topmost emerging trend was the integration of Six Sigma with Big Data. However, public sector experts felt variance reduction should not be the only goal of Six Sigma implementation. The that master black belts perceived Six Sigma in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises and Micro-enterprises would be advantageous, whereas Black and Green Belts perceived Integration of Six Sigma with Big Data to be topmost emerging trend.