LEAN SIX SIGMA STRATEGIES AS AN ALTERNATIVE AGAINST ECONOMIC CRISIS - A STUDY ABOUT QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

Considering the deep economic crisis the world is actually facing, the focus on education must be set in order to help fighting crisis. Education is proven to be a powerful tool to boost economic growth. Even if many educational problems find their root in social matters and that cannot probably be solved by any educational institution, there are many aspects of the educational system that can be improved in order to get a better quality education that will help the sustainable development of a country.

This article starts first explaining the overall need and importance of improving quality in the educational system. Later, two quality management strategies are introduced: Six Sigma and Lean production, which are then combined into the Lean Six Sigma strategy. After a brief description about the variables intervening in the educational system, some Lean Six Sigma procedures are explained and adapted to educational institutions. Finally, academic, social and economic benefits of applying these quality management techniques in the education system are stated. It is finally concluded that Lean Six Sigma Strategies may not be the solution to social problems, but improving the educational system using quality management strategies is a powerful technique against economic/social crisis, useful as well for enhancing economic growth.