Analytical Investigation of Higher Education Quality Improvement by Using Six Sigma Approach

Ameen Abdulla M. S., Kavilal E. G.

Abstract


For over two decades in India, the technical industry's unique selling proposition (USP), with its wide infrastructure of technical institutes, has been capable of supplying best-in-class engineers. But recently, this claim does not hold water. According to the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), about 2.6 lakh mechanical engineers graduate every year in India. But the real count of industry ready mechanical engineers is approximately 7%. Hence, there is a need to assess the quality of engineering education in India to reduce the flaws in higher education. The purpose of the paper is to identify the various defects associated with technical education and eliminate those defects using various quality tools. This research is based on the six sigma technique, which is used to assess the quality criteria proposed by the National Board of Accreditation India (NBA). The proposed model is then applied to a typical tier II Indian engineering college located in south India. Six Sigma has two main methodologies: DMAIC and DFSS. The DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) methodology is implemented for existing systems, whereas DFSS (Design for Six Sigma) is for assuring quality in new products. In this project, the conclusion is driven by the DMAIC methodology. Various statistical and non-statistical tools are employed in this research. The tools used are CTS-CTQ, SIPOC, Pareto chart, normal process capability analysis, one-way ANOVA, Ishikawa diagram, FMEA, RCBD, and SPC chart. All the statistical processes are done using Minitab analytical software. From the results, it is identified that the factors that have a risk priority number (RPN) greater than 300 need improvement, such as versatility in program curriculum, laboratories and workshops, and credibility among universities. Six Sigma can be achieved by developing proper strategies for mitigating these defects.

 

Doi: 10.28991/HIJ-2022-03-02-07

Full Text: PDF


Keywords


Six Sigma Techniques; Statistical Tools; Non Statistical Tools; Technical Education; Minitab Analytical Software.

References


Joseph, M., Yakhou, M., & Stone, G. (2005). An educational institution’s quest for service quality: Customers’ perspective. Quality Assurance in Education, 13(1), 66–82. doi:10.1108/09684880510578669.

Shah, N. K., & Emerick, T. D. (2021). Lean Six Sigma Methodology and the Future of Quality Improvement Education in Anesthesiology. Anesthesia & Analgesia, 133(3), 811–815. doi:10.1213/ane.0000000000005636.

Davidson, J. M., Price, O. M., & Pepper, M. (2020). Lean Six Sigma and quality frameworks in higher education – a review of literature. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, 11(6), 991–1004. doi:10.1108/ijlss-03-2019-0028.

Gupta, S. K., Antony, J., Lacher, F., & Douglas, J. (2018). Lean Six Sigma for reducing student dropouts in higher education – an exploratory study. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 31(1-2), 178–193. doi:10.1080/14783363.2017.1422710.

Cudney, E. A., & Furterer, S. L. (2020). Lean Six Sigma in Higher Education: State-of-the-Art Findings and Agenda for Future Research*. Lean Six Sigma in Higher Education, 23–42. doi:10.1108/978-1-78769-929-820201004.

Jenicke, L. O., Kumar, A., & Holmes, M. C. (2008). A framework for applying six sigma improvement methodology in an academic environment. TQM Journal, 20(5), 453–462. doi:10.1108/17542730810898421.

Helgesen, Ø., & Nesset, E. (2007). What accounts for students’ loyalty? Some field study evidence. International Journal of Educational Management, 21(2), 126–143. doi:10.1108/09513540710729926.

Helgesen, Ø. (2006). Are Loyal Customers Profitable? Customer Satisfaction, Customer (Action) Loyalty and Customer Profitability at the Individual Level. Journal of Marketing Management, 22(3–4), 245–266. doi:10.1362/026725706776861226.

Grosfeld-Nir, A., Ronen, B., & Kozlovsky, N. (2007). The Pareto managerial principle: When does it apply? International Journal of Production Research, 45(10), 2317–2325. doi:10.1080/00207540600818203.

Harvey, L., & Barr, P. (2001). Student Feedback a report to the Higher Education Funding Council for England. Centre for Research and Quality, the University of Central England, Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Hörsch, K., & Rudinger, G. (2009). Der Net Promoter Score an der Universität Bonn In: Rudinger, G., Hörsch, K. & Krüger, T. (ed.), Forschung und Beratung – DasZentrum für Evaluation und Methoden. Göttingen: Bonn University Press, 75–88, Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Gruber, T., Fuß, S., Voss, R., & Gläser‐Zikuda, M. (2010). Examining student satisfaction with higher education services. International Journal of Public Sector Management, 23(2), 105–123. doi:10.1108/09513551011022474.

Fredericksen, E., Shea, P., & Pickett, A. (2000). Factors influencing student and faculty satisfaction in the SUNY learning network. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 4(2), 245–278.

Hennig-Thurau, T., Langer, M. F., & Hansen, U. (2001). Modeling and Managing Student Loyalty: An Approach Based on the Concept of Relationship Quality. Journal of Service Research, 3(4), 331–344. doi:10.1177/109467050134006.

Enarsson, L. (1998). Evaluation of suppliers: How to consider the environment. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 28(1), 5–17. doi:10.1108/09600039810205935.

Elliott, K. M., & Healy, M. A. (2001). Key factors influencing student satisfaction related to recruitment and retention. Journal of Marketing for Higher Education, 10(4), 1–11. doi:10.1300/J050v10n04_01.

Deming, W. E. (1993). The new economics for industry. Government, Education, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MIT press, MA, United States.

Kiang, B. K., Jusoh, M. S., Salleh, S. S. M. M., Ahmad, R., & Din, M. S. H. (2021). Applying lean six sigma approach: A study in recipe recovery and backup process environment. Proceedings of 8th International Conference on Advanced Materials Engineering & Technology (ICAMET 2020). doi:10.1063/5.0055628.

Cudney, E. A., Venuthurumilli, S. S. J., Materla, T., & Antony, J. (2020). Systematic review of Lean and Six Sigma approaches in higher education. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 31(3-4), 231-244. doi:10.1080/14783363.2017.1422977.

Douglas, J., & Douglas, A. (2006). Evaluating Teaching Quality. Quality in Higher Education, 12(1), 3–13. doi:10.1080/13538320600685024.

Donaldson, B., & Runciman, F. (1995). Service quality in further education: An insight into management perceptions of service quality and those of the actual service provider. Journal of Marketing Management, 11(1–3), 243–256. doi:10.1080/0267257X.1995.9964340.

DeBourgh, G. A. (2003). Predictors of student satisfaction in distance-delivered graduate nursing courses: What matters most? Journal of Professional Nursing, 19(3), 149–163. doi:10.1016/S8755-7223(03)00072-3.


Full Text: PDF

DOI: 10.28991/HIJ-2022-03-02-07

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2022 AMEEN ABDULLA M S