DOI
10.5703/1288284317328
Abstract
Purpose – This paper describes the intricates and possibilities of replicating a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB) education model from a pilot program to other universities—employing ‘replication as strategy’—based on a validated ‘business model.’
Study design/methodology/approach – This work is grounded in a case study on the ESTIEM LSSGB educational method and draws on the replication literature. Specifically: (1) replication as strategy (Winter and Szulanski, 2001) to replicate stimulating learning environments, and (2) replicating sets of teaching practices (Baden-Fuller and Winter, 2007). These theories are practiced using data obtained from various sources: Participant-observer data, interview data, and secondary case data.
Findings – To replicate this educational program, a thorough understanding of the ‘business model’ of the LSSGB course is required. This includes a clear understanding of what is valued in each local environment, what configurations of practices create such value, and what environments contain the inputs that stimulate such value creation. Moreover, the replicating speed is substantially affected by the replicators’ knowledge on recognizing course locations for replication and successfully implementing a new course with a suitable configuration. In conclusion, replication of teaching practices between courses is mediated by predefined high-quality course content.
Originality/value – The LSSGB course in ESTIEM shows how blended learning opportunities can be configured to deliver impact on a European scale. Decomposing a course to teaching practices and analyzing their inputs identifies the environmental requirements for a course.
Keywords Lean Six Sigma, blended learning, replication, replication as strategy, ESTIEM
Paper type Research paper
Professional Biographies Replicating LSSGB Education Submission
Included in
Higher Education Commons, Industrial Engineering Commons, Organization Development Commons
Replicating Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Education
Purpose – This paper describes the intricates and possibilities of replicating a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB) education model from a pilot program to other universities—employing ‘replication as strategy’—based on a validated ‘business model.’
Study design/methodology/approach – This work is grounded in a case study on the ESTIEM LSSGB educational method and draws on the replication literature. Specifically: (1) replication as strategy (Winter and Szulanski, 2001) to replicate stimulating learning environments, and (2) replicating sets of teaching practices (Baden-Fuller and Winter, 2007). These theories are practiced using data obtained from various sources: Participant-observer data, interview data, and secondary case data.
Findings – To replicate this educational program, a thorough understanding of the ‘business model’ of the LSSGB course is required. This includes a clear understanding of what is valued in each local environment, what configurations of practices create such value, and what environments contain the inputs that stimulate such value creation. Moreover, the replicating speed is substantially affected by the replicators’ knowledge on recognizing course locations for replication and successfully implementing a new course with a suitable configuration. In conclusion, replication of teaching practices between courses is mediated by predefined high-quality course content.
Originality/value – The LSSGB course in ESTIEM shows how blended learning opportunities can be configured to deliver impact on a European scale. Decomposing a course to teaching practices and analyzing their inputs identifies the environmental requirements for a course.
Keywords Lean Six Sigma, blended learning, replication, replication as strategy, ESTIEM
Paper type Research paper
