A literature review on six sigma

In this study, the roots, historical development, theoretical background, and future expectations of six sigma quality improvement approach, which emerged in manufacturing industries in the mid 1980s, are analyzed within the framework of an academic literature review. In this context, firstly the historical developments of quality phenomenon in the Western World, Japan, and Turkey are explored, and the theoretical basis of this quality system is identified. Then, the academic journals covered by Science Citation Index (SCI) Expanded are searched without time limits with keyword ?six sigma?. Almost all of the articles in the resulting set are examined in full-text; and a comparative statistical analysis is conducted. This analysis is based upon factors that are derived directly from the contents of the articles. Analysis results are used in order to determine the current situation, up-to-date trends, and historical transformations in the literature, therefore the implementations of six sigma. The results are discussed in detail and ideas about the future implementations of six sigma are given.The literature study shows that although no consensus is built up on either the definition or the implementation of six sigma, it is believed that it will maintain its importance in the following years.