Big data in lean six sigma: a review and further research directions

Abstract

Manufacturing and service organisations improve their processes on a continuous basis to have better operational performance. They use lean six sigma (LSS) projects for process improvement. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the existing literature in LSS and the application of big data analytics (BDA) to have more confident and predictable decisions in each phase of LSS. Fifty-two articles have been identified after a careful and vigilant screening of closely related themes. Future research directions in the big data and LSS have been highlighted on the basis of organisational theories. Review presents an investigation framework consisting of BDA techniques applicable to each phase of LSS in all the dimensions such as volume, variety, velocity and veracity of big data. Review highlights the concerns of big data in LSS such as system design and integration, system performance, security and reliability of data, sustaining the control and conducting the experiments, distributed material and information flow. The review unveils the application of 8 modern organisational theories to big data in LSS with 21 key aspects of related theories and 19 distinct research gaps as opportunities for future research.

Keywords:

• big data
• lean management
• lean six sigma
• systematic literature review

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Supplemental data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2019.1598599.