Improvement of Sales Processes with Lean Six Sigma Methodology in the Automotive Industry
Year 2025,
Volume: 12 Issue: 1, 39 - 63
İlkay Saraçoğlu
,
Kenan Özden
,
Selin Canca
,
Elif Ulusoy
Abstract
Aim: In this study, the improvement of the sales processes of an automotive company with the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) management philosophy is included. The company, whose history in the automotive sector dates to the 1980s, has a wide product range that is at the top of this sector of Turkey, which is based on intense competition. Within the scope of this study, improvements that will form the basis of digitalization in sales processes are aimed in line with the main purpose of maintaining and increasing customer satisfaction.
Method: The application was carried out with the DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control) method to improve the processes that cause customer dissatisfaction and to create an integrated system by using LSS tools. Improvements were made in line with the purpose by applying the method step by step. Various surveys were conducted with customers, brainstorming activities were carried out with employees involved in sales processes, and process improvements were made by analyzing the data obtained from these activities.
Results: All stages of the sales processes were addressed using the LSS approach, and it was observed that the customer satisfaction rate, which was 88% before the study began, increased to 95% after the study.
Conclusion: In this study, the sales process of a company operating in Turkey and selling prestigious automobiles is discussed. This review provides a clear view of how LSS projects can be implemented in the sales organization. It also contributes to the enrichment of literature to facilitate the LSS application.
References
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- BEHARA, R.S., GRESHAM, A. AND FONTENOT, G. F. (1995), “Customer satisfaction measurement and analysis using six sigma”, International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, Vol. 12 No. 3, pp. 9–18.
- BHAT, S., GIJO, E. V. AND JNANESH, N. A. (2014), “Application of Lean Six Sigma methodology in the registration process of a hospital”, International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 63 No. 5, pp. 613–643.
- CHEN, S. C., CHEN, K. S. AND HSIA, T. C. (2005), “Promoting Customer Satisfactions by Applying Six Sigma: An Example from the Automobile Industry”, Quality Management Journal, Vol. 12 No. 4, pp. 21–33.
- CHEN, M. AND LYU, J. (2009), “A Lean Six-Sigma approach to touch panel quality improvement”, Production Planning and Control, Vol. 20 No. 5, pp. 445–454.
- DALE, B. G. (1999). Managing Quality. Blackwell Publishers.
- DAS, N., GAURI, S. K. AND DAS, P. (2006), “Six Sigma principles in marketing: An Application”, International Journal of Six Sigma and Competitive Advantage, Vol. 2 No. 3, pp. 243–262.
- DELGADO, C., FERREIRA, M. AND BRANCO, M.C. (2010), “The implementation of lean Six Sigma in financial services organizations”, Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 21 No. 4, pp. 512–523.
- DEMING, W. E. (1986). Out of the Crisis. MIT Press.
- DURSUN, M., GOKER, N. AND MUTLU, H. (2020), An Intuitionistic Fuzzy Cognitive Map Approach to Evaluate Success Factors of Lean Six Sigma Project Management Methodology, Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, Vol. 1029, Springer International Publishing, available at:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23756-1_134.
- ECKES, G. (2002). The Six Sigma revolution: How General Electric and others turned process into profits. John Wiley & Sons.
- GANATRA, V., ARYANI, D. N., ABD. RAHMAN, N. I. BINTI, KEE, D. M. H., FADZIL, N. F. D. BINTI, HASSAN, N.I.A. BINTI, ESA, N.K. BINTI, MAMTANI, M. (2022), “A Study on Consumer Satisfaction with Respect to Samsung Gadgets”, International Journal of Tourism and Hospitality in Asia Pasific, Vol. 5 No. 1, pp. 87–99.
- GEORGE, M. L. (2003A), Lean Six Sigma for Service : How to Use Lean Speed and Six Sigma Quality to Improve Services and Transactions, McGraw-Hill Companies, available at:https://doi.org/10.1036/0071436359.
- GEORGE, M. L. (2003b), Lean Six Sigma for Service : How to Use Lean Speed and Six Sigma Quality to Improve Services and Transactions, Group, available at:https://doi.org/10.1036/0071436359.
- GIJO, E. V. AND ANTONY, J. (2019), “Application of Lean Six Sigma in IT support services – a case study”, TQM Journal, Vol. 31 No. 3, pp. 417–435.
- GUPTA, S., MODGIL, S. AND GUNASEKARAN, A. (2020), “Big data in lean six sigma: a review and further research directions”, International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis, Vol. 58 No. 3, pp. 947–969.
- HENDERSON, K. M., & EVANS, J. R. (2000). Successful implementation of Six Sigma: benchmarking general electric company. Benchmarking: an international journal, 7(4), 260-282.
- IMAI, M. (1986). Kaizen: The Key to Japan's Competitive Success. McGraw-Hill.
- INAL, T.C., GORUROGLU OZTURK, O., KIBAR, F., CETINER, S., MATYAR, S., DAGLIOGLU, G. AND YAMAN, A. (2018), “Lean six sigma methodologies improve clinical laboratory efficiency and reduce turnaround times”, Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis, Vol. 32 No. 1, pp. 1–5.
- JIJU ANTONY, F., KUMAR, M. AND CHO, B. R. (2007), “Six sigma in service organisations: Benefits, challenges and difficulties, common myths, empirical observations and success factors”, International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, Vol. 24 No. 3, pp. 294–311.
- LIZARELLI, F. L. AND ALLIPRANDINI, D. H. (2020), “Comparative analysis of Lean and Six Sigma improvement projects: performance, changes, investment, time and complexity”, Total Quality Management and Business Excellence, Taylor & Francis, Vol. 31 No. 3–4, pp. 407–428.
- MADHANI, P. M. (2017), “Six Sigma Deployment in Sales and Marketing: Enhancing Competitive Advantages.”, IUP Journal of Business Strategy, Vol. 14 No. 2, pp. 40–63.
- MADHANI, P. M. (2020), “Performance Optimisation of Retail Industry: Lean Six Sigma Approach.”, ASBM Journal of Management, Vol. 13 No. 1/2, pp. 74–91.
- NOAKE, R. (2002), “The Six Sigma Handbook”, Quality Progress.
- PAKDIL, F., TOKTAŞ, P. AND CAN, G. F. (2020), “Six sigma project prioritization and selection: a multi-criteria decision making approach in healthcare industry”, International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, Vol. 12 No. 3, pp. 553–578.
- PANAYIOTOU, N. A. AND STERGIOU, K. E. (2021), “A systematic literature review of lean six sigma adoption in European organizations”, International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, Vol. 12 No. 2, pp. 264–292.
- POORMOAIED, S. AND ATAN, Z. (2020), “A continuous review policy for two complementary products with interrelated demand”, Computers and Industrial Engineering, Elsevier Ltd, Vol. 150 No. June 2019, p. 106980.
- PORTER, M. E. (1985). Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance. Free Press.
- PRAJOGO, D. I. AND SOHAL, A. S. (2006), “The integration of TQM and technology/R&D management in determining quality and innovation performance”, Omega, Vol. 34 No. 3, pp. 296–312.
- PYZDEK, T. (2002), The Six Sigma Revolution, Technometrics, Vol. 44, available at:https://doi.org/10.1198/tech.2002.s727.
- SAGNAK, M. AND KAZANCOGLU, Y. (2016), “Integration of green lean approach with six sigma: an application for flue gas emissions”, Journal of Cleaner Production, Elsevier Ltd, Vol. 127, pp. 112–118.
- SHAMSUZZAMAN, M., ALZERAIF, M., ALSYOUF, I. AND KHOO, M.B.C. (2018), “Using Lean Six Sigma to improve mobile order fulfilment process in a telecom service sector”, Production Planning and Control, Taylor & Francis, Vol. 29 No. 4, pp. 301–314.
- SHOKRI, A. (2017), “Quantitative analysis of Six Sigma, Lean and Lean Six Sigma research publications in last two decades”, International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, Vol. 34 No. 5, pp. 598–625.
- SHOKRI, A., ANTONY, J., GARZA-REYES, J. A. AND UPTON, M. (2021), “Scoping review of the readiness for sustainable implementation of Lean Six Sigma projects in the manufacturing sector”, International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, Vol. 38 No. 8, pp. 1747–1770.
- SINGH, M. AND RATHI, R. (2019), A Structured Review of Lean Six Sigma in Various Industrial Sectors, International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, Vol. 10, available at:https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLSS-03-2018-0018.
- THOMAS, A., BARTON, R. AND CHUKE-OKAFOR, C. (2009), “Applying lean six sigma in a small engineering company - A model for change”, Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 20 No. 1, pp. 113–129.
- TIMANS, W., ANTONY, J., AHAUS, K. AND SOLINGEN, R. (2012), “Implementation of Lean Six Sigma in small- and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises in the Netherlands”, Journal of the Operational Research Society, Vol. 63, pp. 339–353.
- VENDRAME TAKAO, M. R., WOLDT, J. AND DA SILVA, I. B. (2017), “Six Sigma methodology advantages for small- and medium-sized enterprises: A case study in the plumbing industry in the United States”, Advances in Mechanical Engineering, Vol. 9 No. 10, pp. 1–10.
- VOEHL, F., HARRINGTON, H. J., MIGNOSA, C. AND CHARRON, R. (2013), The Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Handbook: Tools and Methods for Process Acceleration, The Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Handbook: Tools and Methods for Process Acceleration, available at:https://doi.org/10.1201/b15163.
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- WEI, C. C., SHEEN, G. J., TAI, C. T. AND LEE, K. L. (2010), “Using Six Sigma to improve replenishment process in a direct selling company”, Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, Vol. 15 No. 1, pp. 3–9.
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Otomotiv Sektöründe Yalın Altı Sigma Metodolojisi ile Satış Süreçlerinin İyileştirilmesi
Year 2025,
Volume: 12 Issue: 1, 39 - 63
İlkay Saraçoğlu
,
Kenan Özden
,
Selin Canca
,
Elif Ulusoy
Abstract
Amaç: Bu çalışmada, bir otomotiv firmasının satış süreçlerinin Yalın Altı sigma (LSS) yönetim felsefesi ile iyileştirilmesi ele alınmıştır. Otomotiv sektöründeki geçmişi 1980’lere dayanan firma, bugün Türkiye'nin yoğun rekabete dayalı bu sektörde özellikle üst segmentte yer alan geniş bir ürün gamına sahiptir. Bu çalışma kapsamında, müşteri memnuniyetinin korunması ve artırılması amacı doğrultusunda, satış süreçlerinde dijitalleşmeye yönelik iyileştirmeler hedeflenmiştir.
Yöntem: Uygulama, müşteri memnuniyetsizliğine neden olan süreçlerin iyileştirilmesi ve bütünleşmiş bir sistem oluşturulması amacıyla LSS araçlarından DMAIC (Tanımlama, Ölçme, Analiz, İyileştirme ve Kontrol) yöntemi ile yürütülmüştür. Yöntem adım adım uygulanarak amaç doğrultusunda iyileştirmeler yapılmıştır. Bu çerçevede müşterilerle çeşitli anketler yapılmış, satış süreçlerinde yer alan çalışanlarla beyin fırtınası çalışmaları gerçekleştirilmiş ve bunların sonucunda elde edilen veriler değerlendirilerek süreç iyileştirmesine gidilmiştir.
Bulgular: Satış süreçlerinin tüm aşamaları LSS yaklaşımı ile ele alınmış ve çalışmaya başlamadan önce %88 olan müşteri memnuniyet oranının çalışma sonrasında %95’e çıktığı gözlemlenmiştir.
Sonuç: Bu çalışmada Türkiye’de faaliyet gösteren prestijli otomobil satışı gerçekleştiren bir firmanın satış süreci ele alınmıştır. Bu inceleme, satış organizasyonunda LSS projelerinin nasıl uygulanabileceği hakkında net bir görüş sunmaktadır. Çalışma, LSS uygulamasını kolaylaştırmak için literatürün zenginleşmesine de katkı sağlamaktadır.
References
- ABOELMAGED, M. G. (2010), “Six Sigma quality: a structured review and implications for future research”, International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, Vol. 27 No. 3, pp. 268–317.
- ALBLIWI, S. A., ANTONY, J. AND LIM, S. A. H. (2015), “A systematic review of Lean Six Sigma for the manufacturing industry”, Business Process Management Journal, Vol. 21 No. 3, pp. 665–691.
- ANTONY, J. (2006), “Six sigma for service processes”, Business Process Management Journal, Vol. 12 No. 2, pp. 234–248.
- ASSARLIND, M., GREMYR, I. AND BÄCKMAN, K. (2012), “Multi-faceted views on a Lean Six Sigma application”, International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, Vol. 29 No. 1, pp. 21–30.
- BEHARA, R.S., GRESHAM, A. AND FONTENOT, G. F. (1995), “Customer satisfaction measurement and analysis using six sigma”, International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, Vol. 12 No. 3, pp. 9–18.
- BHAT, S., GIJO, E. V. AND JNANESH, N. A. (2014), “Application of Lean Six Sigma methodology in the registration process of a hospital”, International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 63 No. 5, pp. 613–643.
- CHEN, S. C., CHEN, K. S. AND HSIA, T. C. (2005), “Promoting Customer Satisfactions by Applying Six Sigma: An Example from the Automobile Industry”, Quality Management Journal, Vol. 12 No. 4, pp. 21–33.
- CHEN, M. AND LYU, J. (2009), “A Lean Six-Sigma approach to touch panel quality improvement”, Production Planning and Control, Vol. 20 No. 5, pp. 445–454.
- DALE, B. G. (1999). Managing Quality. Blackwell Publishers.
- DAS, N., GAURI, S. K. AND DAS, P. (2006), “Six Sigma principles in marketing: An Application”, International Journal of Six Sigma and Competitive Advantage, Vol. 2 No. 3, pp. 243–262.
- DELGADO, C., FERREIRA, M. AND BRANCO, M.C. (2010), “The implementation of lean Six Sigma in financial services organizations”, Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 21 No. 4, pp. 512–523.
- DEMING, W. E. (1986). Out of the Crisis. MIT Press.
- DURSUN, M., GOKER, N. AND MUTLU, H. (2020), An Intuitionistic Fuzzy Cognitive Map Approach to Evaluate Success Factors of Lean Six Sigma Project Management Methodology, Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, Vol. 1029, Springer International Publishing, available at:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23756-1_134.
- ECKES, G. (2002). The Six Sigma revolution: How General Electric and others turned process into profits. John Wiley & Sons.
- GANATRA, V., ARYANI, D. N., ABD. RAHMAN, N. I. BINTI, KEE, D. M. H., FADZIL, N. F. D. BINTI, HASSAN, N.I.A. BINTI, ESA, N.K. BINTI, MAMTANI, M. (2022), “A Study on Consumer Satisfaction with Respect to Samsung Gadgets”, International Journal of Tourism and Hospitality in Asia Pasific, Vol. 5 No. 1, pp. 87–99.
- GEORGE, M. L. (2003A), Lean Six Sigma for Service : How to Use Lean Speed and Six Sigma Quality to Improve Services and Transactions, McGraw-Hill Companies, available at:https://doi.org/10.1036/0071436359.
- GEORGE, M. L. (2003b), Lean Six Sigma for Service : How to Use Lean Speed and Six Sigma Quality to Improve Services and Transactions, Group, available at:https://doi.org/10.1036/0071436359.
- GIJO, E. V. AND ANTONY, J. (2019), “Application of Lean Six Sigma in IT support services – a case study”, TQM Journal, Vol. 31 No. 3, pp. 417–435.
- GUPTA, S., MODGIL, S. AND GUNASEKARAN, A. (2020), “Big data in lean six sigma: a review and further research directions”, International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis, Vol. 58 No. 3, pp. 947–969.
- HENDERSON, K. M., & EVANS, J. R. (2000). Successful implementation of Six Sigma: benchmarking general electric company. Benchmarking: an international journal, 7(4), 260-282.
- IMAI, M. (1986). Kaizen: The Key to Japan's Competitive Success. McGraw-Hill.
- INAL, T.C., GORUROGLU OZTURK, O., KIBAR, F., CETINER, S., MATYAR, S., DAGLIOGLU, G. AND YAMAN, A. (2018), “Lean six sigma methodologies improve clinical laboratory efficiency and reduce turnaround times”, Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis, Vol. 32 No. 1, pp. 1–5.
- JIJU ANTONY, F., KUMAR, M. AND CHO, B. R. (2007), “Six sigma in service organisations: Benefits, challenges and difficulties, common myths, empirical observations and success factors”, International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, Vol. 24 No. 3, pp. 294–311.
- LIZARELLI, F. L. AND ALLIPRANDINI, D. H. (2020), “Comparative analysis of Lean and Six Sigma improvement projects: performance, changes, investment, time and complexity”, Total Quality Management and Business Excellence, Taylor & Francis, Vol. 31 No. 3–4, pp. 407–428.
- MADHANI, P. M. (2017), “Six Sigma Deployment in Sales and Marketing: Enhancing Competitive Advantages.”, IUP Journal of Business Strategy, Vol. 14 No. 2, pp. 40–63.
- MADHANI, P. M. (2020), “Performance Optimisation of Retail Industry: Lean Six Sigma Approach.”, ASBM Journal of Management, Vol. 13 No. 1/2, pp. 74–91.
- NOAKE, R. (2002), “The Six Sigma Handbook”, Quality Progress.
- PAKDIL, F., TOKTAŞ, P. AND CAN, G. F. (2020), “Six sigma project prioritization and selection: a multi-criteria decision making approach in healthcare industry”, International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, Vol. 12 No. 3, pp. 553–578.
- PANAYIOTOU, N. A. AND STERGIOU, K. E. (2021), “A systematic literature review of lean six sigma adoption in European organizations”, International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, Vol. 12 No. 2, pp. 264–292.
- POORMOAIED, S. AND ATAN, Z. (2020), “A continuous review policy for two complementary products with interrelated demand”, Computers and Industrial Engineering, Elsevier Ltd, Vol. 150 No. June 2019, p. 106980.
- PORTER, M. E. (1985). Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance. Free Press.
- PRAJOGO, D. I. AND SOHAL, A. S. (2006), “The integration of TQM and technology/R&D management in determining quality and innovation performance”, Omega, Vol. 34 No. 3, pp. 296–312.
- PYZDEK, T. (2002), The Six Sigma Revolution, Technometrics, Vol. 44, available at:https://doi.org/10.1198/tech.2002.s727.
- SAGNAK, M. AND KAZANCOGLU, Y. (2016), “Integration of green lean approach with six sigma: an application for flue gas emissions”, Journal of Cleaner Production, Elsevier Ltd, Vol. 127, pp. 112–118.
- SHAMSUZZAMAN, M., ALZERAIF, M., ALSYOUF, I. AND KHOO, M.B.C. (2018), “Using Lean Six Sigma to improve mobile order fulfilment process in a telecom service sector”, Production Planning and Control, Taylor & Francis, Vol. 29 No. 4, pp. 301–314.
- SHOKRI, A. (2017), “Quantitative analysis of Six Sigma, Lean and Lean Six Sigma research publications in last two decades”, International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, Vol. 34 No. 5, pp. 598–625.
- SHOKRI, A., ANTONY, J., GARZA-REYES, J. A. AND UPTON, M. (2021), “Scoping review of the readiness for sustainable implementation of Lean Six Sigma projects in the manufacturing sector”, International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, Vol. 38 No. 8, pp. 1747–1770.
- SINGH, M. AND RATHI, R. (2019), A Structured Review of Lean Six Sigma in Various Industrial Sectors, International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, Vol. 10, available at:https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLSS-03-2018-0018.
- THOMAS, A., BARTON, R. AND CHUKE-OKAFOR, C. (2009), “Applying lean six sigma in a small engineering company - A model for change”, Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 20 No. 1, pp. 113–129.
- TIMANS, W., ANTONY, J., AHAUS, K. AND SOLINGEN, R. (2012), “Implementation of Lean Six Sigma in small- and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises in the Netherlands”, Journal of the Operational Research Society, Vol. 63, pp. 339–353.
- VENDRAME TAKAO, M. R., WOLDT, J. AND DA SILVA, I. B. (2017), “Six Sigma methodology advantages for small- and medium-sized enterprises: A case study in the plumbing industry in the United States”, Advances in Mechanical Engineering, Vol. 9 No. 10, pp. 1–10.
- VOEHL, F., HARRINGTON, H. J., MIGNOSA, C. AND CHARRON, R. (2013), The Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Handbook: Tools and Methods for Process Acceleration, The Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Handbook: Tools and Methods for Process Acceleration, available at:https://doi.org/10.1201/b15163.
- WANG, H., KIM, K. H., KO, E. AND LIU, H. (2016), “Relationship between service quality and customer equity in traditional markets”, Journal of Business Research, Elsevier Inc., Vol. 69 No. 9, pp. 3827–3834.
- WEI, C. C., SHEEN, G. J., TAI, C. T. AND LEE, K. L. (2010), “Using Six Sigma to improve replenishment process in a direct selling company”, Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, Vol. 15 No. 1, pp. 3–9.
- WOMACK, J. P., JONES, D. T. AND ROOS, D. (1990), The Machine That Changed the World, Rawson Associates/Macmillan Publishing Company, New York, NY.
- ZU, X., FREDENDALL, L. D. AND DOUGLAS, T.J. (2008), “The evolving theory of quality management: The role of Six Sigma”, Journal of Operations Management, Vol. 26 No. 5, pp. 630–650.