Previous studies show that improvement programs such as quality management can present firms with a trade-off between the short-term and long-term benefits (Sterman et al., 1997). A fundamental question on process improvement is to determine whether firms emphasizing process management programs can achieve the dual goal of short-term (efficiency) and long-term (innovation) performance. Furthermore, to the extent that firms execute process improvement programs (such as Six Sigma), how are the dual goals of control (efficiency) and learning (innovation)is addressed? Here, the goal is to look at Six Sigma,and determine how it can enhance the ability of the firm to achieve the paradox of control (exploitation) and learning (exploration).