The importance of access to information and knowledge coordination on quality and economic benefits obtained from Six Sigma

This paper presents a structural equation model that relates knowledge coordination with access to information in the process of implementing Six Sigma and their impact on the quality and economic benefits obtained. The model integrates four latent variables (knowledge coordination and access to information as independent variables; quality benefits and economic benefits as dependent variables), that are intertwined by five hypotheses validated statistically through the partial least squares technique using data from 301 responses to a survey applied in the maquiladora industry. Findings suggest that to obtain benefits associated with product quality, information and knowledge acquired from Six Sigma, projects must be carefully saved, managed, and analysed with appropriate statistical techniques applied by green and black belts. However, to obtain economic benefits, the information and knowledge must be transformed into benefits associated with quality such as reduction in delivery time, reduction of customer complains and compliance with standards demanded by the customer.