An Application of Lean Six Sigma Program and Methodology in Higher Education with Special Reference to Eastern Mediterranean University

Lean Six Sigma is an approach which focuses on improving quality, reducing variation and eliminating waste in an organization. The concept of combining the principles and tools of Lean Enterprise and Six Sigma has occurred in the literature over the last several years. But, the majority of Lean Six Sigma applications have been focusing on manufacturing application and not much literature has been provided for implementing Lean Six Sigma program to services and especially educational institutes. This research explores the applicability of Lean Six Sigma improvement to a university setting such as Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU). A case study is conducted to illustrate the effective use of Lean Six Sigma to reduce waste and inefficiencies in a service function of the university. The Registrar’s Office of the university is selected and Lean Six Sigma methodology is applied to the main processes of the department through the DMAIC (Define- Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control) problem solving approach. Lastly, the study formulates strategies for successful introduction and implementation of Lean Six Sigma in EMU. Suggestions are made regarding the necessary organizational culture changes, management style, concepts and methods that would constitute a Lean Six Sigma organization.

An Application of Lean Six Sigma Program and Methodology in Higher Education with Special Reference to Eastern Mediterranean University Keywords:

Lean , Six Sigma , application , implementation strategy , University , Highereducation , EMU