Interrelationship between Total Quality Management and Six Sigma: A Review

The purpose of this study was to explore the dimensions of total quality management (TQM) and Six Sigma methodology through an extensive literature review and to understand the similarities and differences between the two. The present study identified a set of 13 TQM and 11 Six Sigma practices. The authors also compared the two methodologies with respect to their mutual similarities and differences. Though a considerable number of studies are available on TQM and Six Sigma individually, only limited literature is available regarding their integration. This study systematically reviews and reports about a set of 36 and 31 scholarly articles for TQM and Six Sigma, respectively. Only a few authors (such as, Revere & Black, 2003; Yang, 2004; Zu, Fredendall & Douglas, 2008) have focused on the integration perspective of TQM and Six Sigma. The literature survey revealed that TQM and Six Sigma are two different concepts that share similarities, but also have significant disparities. Six Sigma emerges as significantly superior to TQM in some aspects. However, both TQM and Six Sigma should be integrated to produce a synergistic effect on quality performance, which, in turn, may increase business performance. The outcome of this study will help provide a better understanding of the identified TQM and Six Sigma philosophies that will help managers and future researchers understand effective implementation of quality management strategies in improving business performance.