Can IATF 16949 certification facilitate and foster Lean Six Sigma implementation? Research from Italy

The purpose of this research is to understand whether the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) 16949 certification for the automotive sector facilitates the implementation of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) tools and methodologies. Moreover, the research evaluates to what extent the LSS tools and methodologies are implemented by companies through the IATF standard. The results of a seven-item questionnaire based on seven hypotheses derived from a review of the IATF 16949 standard were tested. The on-line questionnaire was completed by 135 Italian practitioners. Italy has about 1,500 automotive-related companies that are IATF 16949 certified and has a tradition in terms of the automotive industry. The results from the questionnaire were augmented by the respondents’ notes. The results indicated that 16949 does not facilitate the implementation of Design for Six Sigma and Six Sigma in general or the SMED tool and TPM methodology. On the other hand, the respondents’ indicated that IATF 16949 had a strong effect on the implementation of the problem solving methodology, and it affected 5S and other tools as well as tools for improving material flow management. Some particular considerations concerning how companies are obliged by the standard and customers to implement LSS tools and methodologies emerged.