Improving Sustainable Lean Six Sigma Adoption by Assessment of its Barriers: An Emerging Economies Perspective

The manufacturing sector across the globe has faced strong issues to achieve the desired performances amidst escalating product complexity and evolving customer demands. The present research work aims to delve into the impediments hindering the sustainable lean six sigma (SLSS) adoption methodologies, by computing their intensity of influence. The comprehensive review carried out in this study identifies pivotal SLSS barriers prevalent in manufacturing organizations, especially in emerging economies. Employing a fuzzy-analytical hierarchy process (AHP), the research quantifies the intensity of these barriers, providing insights crucial for effective SLSS implementation. Categorizing the identified barriers into five distinct themes enhances their analytical clarity. The findings underscore considerable variations in the intensity of SLSS barriers, underscoring the imperative for practitioners to navigate these challenges adeptly. Moreover, this study offers a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners seeking deeper insights into SLSS dynamics. While extant literature has extensively documented SLSS barriers, scant attention has been paid to elucidating their intensity. The present study endeavours to address this gap, presenting a pioneering contribution to the SLSS domain, poised to enrich understanding and inform strategic decision-making in manufacturing contexts.