Six Sigma vs. other quality improvement tools A comparative analysis of trends in years 1985-2024

Abstract

Six Sigma is a widely adopted method in various industries that is aimed at process improvement and quality management. Understanding Six Sigma's evolving interest and utilization can provide valuable insights into its current significance and prospects. Using data from Google Trends, Google Books, Web of Science, and Scopus, this study examined the search volumes and interests in keywords and phrases that were related to Six Sigma over a specified period. The global analysis revealed the overall direction of interest in Six Sigma worldwide, highlighting periods of peak interest and potential significant shifts in the method’s popularity. By identifying those times with the highest concentrations of interest, the article provides a deeper understanding of the adoption and perception of Six Sigma. On top of this, Six Sigma was compared in popularity (by trends) with other known methods such as Lean, Kaizen, PDCA, and TQM. This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by shedding light on the current trends and future directions of Six Sigma globally. The findings offer valuable insights for practitioners, researchers, and organizations that seek to leverage Six Sigma for process improvements and quality management.