Innovation quality management in public sector research and development organizations: application of six sigma methodology

Abstract

Measuring and managing six sigma critical success factors (CSF) is required for organizational alignment and optimization to its perceived goals. This research explores the key aspects of CSF public sector R and D organizations (PSRDO) which seem consistent for breakthrough improvement through six sigma. This paper proposes a framework to integrate innovation ability and quality management (Six Sigma) into a framework for enhancing and improving innovation quality in public sector research and development organizations. Twenty-three critical variables for implementing Six-Sigma were identified through documentary investigation, brainstorming and Delphi methods. The relevance rating and rank of these variables were computed from the response of 195 and 240 scientists in two sets. Following hierarchical cluster analysis these 23 variables were grouped in to five critical successes factors. A framework encompassing these five factors is proposed for institutionalizing Six Sigma approach in PSRDO to foster innovation quality and productivity.