The Impact of Continuous Improvement Concepts on the Performance of Furniture Production Processes

Most small and medium-sized enterprises in the furniture industry use simple partial approaches to improve or manage production processes. The article aims to present research results focused on continuous process improvement through the implementation of Six Sigma (SS) and Lean Six Sigma (LSS) concepts in furniture production. Their impact on the performance via the level of the ROE (Return on Equity) indicator was evaluated using statistical methods of Chi-square test and Cramer's contingency coefficient. The results of the research showed that furniture enterprises that had implemented selected methods of quality management reached a medium level of ROE values. The absence of a more comprehensive approach to managing the performance of processes was the impulse for a model creation based on the interconnection of SS and LSS concepts. The model should a practical use of appropriate methodologies and procedures in the management of furniture production processes, as well as in their optimisation. A thorough analysis of non-conforming products performed in furniture manufacturing processes transformed into SS and LSS metrics and the implementation of the model in the enterprise led to reduced process waste by reducing the number of non-conforming products, reducing the cost of such products, and increasing the capability of critical processes. Implications for Central European audience: The combination of theoretical knowledge in performance management and quality of production processes and practical knowledge from the real implementation of methods and tools for continuous improvement of production process capability in the company proved to be a good basis for creating a model within SS and LSS. These facts have contributed to the development of scientific knowledge. The presented application of methods and tools within SS and LSS will provide instructions for the use of new management methods. The specific outputs of the research work improve defining problems, measuring process parameters, analysis of measured data, improving furniture production processes.