224 Int. J. Six Sigma and Competitive Advantage, Vol. 6, No. 3, 2011 Copyright © 2011 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. Six Sigma implementation in Indian medium scale automotive enterprises – a review and agenda for future research Rajeshkumar U. Sambhe* Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jawaharlal Darda Institute of Engineering and Technology, M.I.D.C. Area, Lohara, Yavatmal, Maharashtra, India E-mail: rajesh_sambhe@rediffmail.com *Corresponding author Rajendra S. Dalu Department of Mechanical Engineering, Government College of Engineering, V.M.V. Road, Amravati, Maharashtra, India E-mail: rajendra_dalu@gcoea.ac.in Abstract: The increase in demand of the growing customer looking for a better quality of product has compelled corporations to adopt Six Sigma in order to improve the quality for enhanced competitive advantage. This research article focuses on the current empirical study of the Indian medium scale automotive industries along with the scope of implementing Six Sigma. The data analysis will highlight that the Indian auto component industry has rapidly grown, catering to the expanding domestic market and exporting to the external replacement market, as well as a number of SMEs in the auto component industry which have increased due to new entry. Information about the research findings along with the use of quality tools for problem solving tools are discussed along with elaboration of research methodology. This paper will propose the need for the development of Six Sigma framework and necessity for implementing Six Sigma for better business opportunity with regards to Indian medium scale automotive organisations in the current competitive era. Keywords: Indian automotive SMEs; Six Sigma; frameworks. References to this paper should be made as follows: Sambhe, R.U. and Dalu, R.S. (2011) ‘Six Sigma implementation in Indian medium scale automotive enterprises – a review and agenda for future research’ Int. J. Six Sigma and Competitive Advantage, Vol. 6, No. 3, pp.224–242. Biographical notes: Rajesh Kumar Sambhe is an Assistant Professor and Workshop Superintendent in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jawaharlal Darda Institute of Engineering and Technology, Yavatmal, India. He is currently pursuing his Doctoral studies in the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Government College of Engineering, Amravati. He received his Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering and Master degree in Production Technology with total of 14+ years of teaching and industrial experience. Prior to joining in academics, he was a Design and Development Engineer at ZF Steering Gear (I) Ltd., Pune, India. His current research interests are quality management, Six Sigma, computer aided design, web technologies.