The present paper discusses the results of a research project going on at Politecnico di Milano, aiming at
analysing the idiosyncrasies of Six Sigma implementations in Italian companies. In particular, the
project addresses the following research questions, regarding the approach of Italian companies
towards Six Sigma: are Italian companies implementing Six Sigma exactly as it was originally conceived
at Motorola or, rather, is there an Italian way to Six Sigma? do Italian companies which implemented
Six Sigma recognize the same set of critical success factors singled out in the international
literature?
Bibliographic analysis showed a lack of literature concerning Six Sigma implementation in Italian
companies. The research was then based on the study of real life application of Six Sigma in an Italian
company and on discussion through a set of workshops organized at Politecnico di Milano with Six
Sigma experts. In particular, we will concentrate on a set of case studies and on one workshop
specifically addressing the second research question.
The insights coming from the analysed case studies and discusses with industry experts – if further
explored, validated and reorganized – could constitute a Road Map for Six Sigma implementation in
Italian companies; the validation and re-organization process is still on-going and its completion could
constitute a further research objective.