Open Access<p>Comparing Functions, Costs, and Rewards of Quality Engineers and Six Sigma Black Belts</p>
Author(s) -
Catherine Short,
M. Affan Badar,
Christopher Kluse,
Marion D. Schafer
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the journal of technology studies/the journal of technology studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1541-9258
pISSN - 1071-6084
DOI - 10.21061/jots.v46i2.a.2
Subject(s) - six sigma , quality (philosophy) , certification , realm , root cause , sigma , work (physics) , psychology , operations management , political science , engineering , epistemology , philosophy , mechanical engineering , law , physics , lean manufacturing , quantum mechanics
The respective American Society for Quality (ASQ) Bodies of Knowledge (BoKs) for Certified Quality Engineers (ASQ, 2015a) and Certified Six Sigma Black Belts (ASQ, 2015b) are quite similar; yet anecdotally six sigma black belts are recognized and rewarded more highly than are quality engineers. While quality-engineering work is considered preventive in nature, work performed by six sigma black belts is in the realm of improvement, hence reactive. Thus, a dichotomy exists in that preventive actions, which are less costly, are not rewarded as well as costlier reactive actions. The intent of this research was to confirm or debunk the anecdotal evidence and determine the root causes therefrom. The results confirm the anecdotal evidence and indicate the need for further research. In addition, the results confirm the use of the Kano Model as applicable to the cause for rewarding this dichotomy.