amazing-script

IB Business IA Guide - $1000 To Your PayPal If You Score Less Than A 7! 💰

Discover the secrets to nailing your IB Business IA! Get ahead of the game with our comprehensive 2023 Ultimate Guide. Boost your grades now!

IB Business IA Guide - $1000 To Your PayPal If You Score Less Than A 7! 💰

Table of content

Ib business management in a nutshell 🥜, ib business ia - a deep dive 🌊, pros of doing a ib business ia, breaking down ib business sl ia 🔨, understanding ib business hl ia 📚, secret business ia tips that no one will tell yeh 💯 , the perfect workplan for a level 7 worthy business ia 🏫, sexy suggestions from our desk 💁.

Hey there, biz wizards!

Need help with your IB Business IA?

Well, aren't you in the right place!

IB Business can be a tough nut to crack, given how dynamic it is, but tackling the IB Business Internal Assessment is another job. And as though that needed to be more, surfing the net only to find bits of information and tips scattered all over makes it all the more troublesome.

We understand that you need to crack your IB Business Internal Assessment with a comprehensive assortment of tips, strategies, and ideas.

Presenting the one-stop guide that will help you nail your IB Business IA. With step-by-step guidance, sample IAs to kickstart the process, and tips/techniques to fix your IA, this guide is your key to unlocking a level 7.

Before we begin, you should check out our premium IB Business course curated by subject experts and top-performing alums!

  • IB Business Management SL Video Course & Resources

The IB Business Management course aims to develop students' ability to analyze, discuss and evaluate business activities on different levels by understanding various business management theories and various tools and techniques. It gives students a taste of the dynamic business environment via real-world examples and case studies. It ensures that subject-specific skills (e.g., Financial Analysis) and generic ones (e.g., Critical Thinking) are learned and developed.

To read more on the IB Business Management Curriculum, there's no better resource than the IB itself. Go through  this  article to understand first-hand what the course's objectives are. Now that we are well acquainted with the subject objectives let's get down to business.

What is the IB Business IA, and how does it benefit students?

The Internal Assessment is where students get the opportunity to use their knowledge and skills to pursue their interests. Although the IA is compulsory for SL and HL students, there's a difference.

While the SL students must prepare a  Written Commentary , the HL students must produce a  Research Project . The HL students must base their project on primary Research (gathered from the investigated organization). SL students' written commentary needs to be based on secondary Research.

As listed by the IB, examples of Primary and Secondary data sources include

  • Primary Sources
  • Responses to questionnaires (students should include a blank copy of the questionnaire and a tally/ summary of results)
  • Results of surveys
  • Discussions with Business Stakeholders

The research findings should be summarised, and relevant documents (interview transcript, evaluations) should be added to the appendix.

  • Secondary Sources
  • Articles from the local, national or international press
  • Business accounts
  • Business plans Extract from company websites.
  • Transcripts of a relevant audio-visual file
  • Financial reports
  • Government and other statistics
  • Journal publications
  • Market research surveys
  • Web-based surveys

Learners tend to grasp information relatively faster in the IB business Internal Assessments since maximum study content is relevant to everyday life, helping learners create comparisons.

The emphasis in IB Business IA is on

  • how well do you carry out your research
  • the conciseness of arguments put up
  • and the real-time case analysis of the chosen company/organization.

Students pursuing IB business develop critical reasoning, practical, cognitive, and judgment abilities.

The IB Business IA examines an organization from any industry and the social-economic and political environments in which it functions.

The IA works with issues that arise inside businesses, where students gain a reasonable understanding via case studies. With a fresh and objective point of view on enterprises and overall variety, they have a more excellent grasp of the industry surrounding them, both worldwide and regionally.

Students working on their IB Business IA will study a business's fundamental ideas and processes while learning about ethics and corporate social responsibility. With this help, learners begin to evaluate, debate and develop brief data on local, national, and worldwide business activity.

Below is a coherent breakdown of SL and HL IA requirements, criteria, etc. Understanding the highlights will help you complete half the IA task!

If you've opted for IB Business SL, your IA will be a Written Commentary, and your work will center around secondary Research. This commentary will make up 25% of your total grade. All the points you need to take care of are listed below .

  • A real business issue about an entire organization should be selected.
  • Primary Research may be used for support.
  • The title of your commentary should be framed as a research question.
  • Adhere to the word limit of 1500 for the commentary.
  • The commentary should comprise analysis, evaluation, and discussion of the findings. The conclusion should give a solution/answer to the commentary question.
  • 3-5 fully referenced supporting documents and additional sources in the bibliography.
  • The content of the commentary should be structured and well-presented. Starting with the introduction, which states the business issue at hand and gives background information about the organization, the next part is the body of your work. The body should present the findings from the supporting documents and, most importantly, analyze them with the help of business theories and business tools and techniques. This must be done in the context of the question, and a clear link must be established. Finally, the conclusion should answer the explored question and discuss aspects that must be fully answered.

To work in the right direction, it is essential to understand the marking/grading standards set by the IB. The criteria against which your Business SL IA will be assessed are as follows

  • Supporting documents (Levels - 0,1,2,3,4)
  • Choice and application of business tools, techniques, and theories (Levels - 0,1,2,3,4,5)
  • Choice and analysis of data and integration of ideas (Levels - 0,1,2,3,4,5)
  • Conclusions (Levels - 0,1,2,3)
  • Evaluation (Levels - 0,1,2,3,4)
  • Structure (Levels - 0,1,2)
  • Presentation (Levels - 0,1,2)

Now that you know the deets, here's an  annotated level 7 worthy IB DP Business SL IA published by the IB . Please give it a good read to better understand how to go about your exploration.

For your Business HL students, your IA also weighs 25% of your total grade. Your IA will be a Research Project based on primary research obtained/collected from the organization under investigation. Everything that you need to take care of is listed below .

  • Take up an actual issue/business decision in the context of an entire organization or a range of organizations.
  • Secondary research may be used for support.
  • The title of your project needs to be framed as a question. Your task is divided into the Research Proposal and the Written Report. The word limit should be at most 500 and 2000 words for the two sections.
  • Research Question
  • The proposed Methodology includes the rationale for the study, areas of the syllabus to be covered, possible sources of information, organizations and individuals to be approached, methods to be used to collect and analyze data, the reason for choosing them, the order of activities and timescale of the project.
  • Anticipated difficulties, such as limited or biased sources
  • Action plan
  • Acknowledgments
  • Contents Page
  • Abstract (max word limit-200 (not included in the word count of the Written Report))
  • Introduction
  • Methodology, Findings, and Results
  • Conclusion and Recommendations
  • References and Bibliography and Appendices.

The HL IA criteria are nine in total. While criterion A is used to assess the Research Proposal, criteria B-I are used to evaluate the Written Report.

  • Criterion A -  Research Proposal (Levels - 0,1,2,3)
  • Criterion B -  Sources and data (Levels - 0,1,2,3)
  • Criterion C -  Use of tools, techniques and theories (Levels - 0,1,2,3)
  • Criterion D -  Analysis and Evaluation (Levels - 0,1,2,3,4,5,6)
  • Criterion E -  Conclusion (Levels - 0,1,2)
  • Criterion F -  Recommendations(Levels - 0,1,2)
  • Criterion G -  Structure (Levels - 0,1,2)
  • Criterion H -  Presentation (Levels - 0,1,2)
  • Criterion I -  Reflective Thinking (Levels - 0,1,2)

You should refer to this document to better understand the descriptors of the assessment criteria levels.

And here's an  annotated high-scoring Business HL IA published by the IB . The more you refer, the better your clarity.

Obtaining a 7 in just about any IB Business IA topic will always be among the most challenging tasks an IB student may face, especially those attempting to get admission to elite institutions or universities. This is also true for IB Business IA. Nail IB discovered that the most challenging obstacle students face in achieving high scores in the Business IA involves utilizing analytical tools. To put it in simple terms, students frequently make the error of conducting a ton of research but need to relate it to the given research topic.

  • Make sure you form a relevant link between your analytical approach and the chosen IA report topic. When starting the report, do not mention why this particular argument was selected and the strategy applied. You must conduct a detailed analysis that adds value to your topic.
  • Conduct the analysis appropriately and thoroughly, demonstrating that you understand its aim. You can look at numerous business IA sample pdf  here  for a better understanding of how to go about the entire report and the right way to put across relevant arguments.
  • After you've finished each approach, provide a note about what you learned about your proposed solution. After each analysis is completed, do a quick review. State the key results that are relevant to your answer. The goal here will be that by the time your teacher reaches the overall conclusion, they will already know your level of understanding.  
  • Ask, ask and ask again -  No amount of google searches can answer your queries the way your teacher can. Understand that your teacher is always there to help you improve your chances of getting a band 7. It is critical, particularly in IB, to seek the teacher's limitless wisdom; trust us, it is worth it. When asking questions, you're not just clearing your doubts but also giving your brain new information and a fresh viewpoint, which are extremely useful to you and your IB business IA score. Look for clarifications. Develop an interest in what you're studying. Consider how most of the notions throughout the course may be used in the actual world. This is an excellent technique to get your teacher to share information!   
  • Get your research documents rights -  The number of supporting research papers mentioned in the IB business IA criteria is 3-5. These supporting papers are pertinent to the question under consideration. These papers should be recent and written within the previous two years, not preceding that. Accounting records, media articles, web publications, and other credible information are also encouraged. These papers must include a broad spectrum of views and standpoints. The bodily parts that were identified and utilized must be emphasized accordingly.  
  • Calling into question the data you used throughout your analysis should be part of the evaluation process. Remember to have at least two quantitative and two qualitative analytical tools to give credibility to your arguments.
  • All assessments regarding the significance of propositions must be supported by evidence.
  • The structure of supporting papers should be evaluated, and so should the grounds for the given research query's existence.
  • In your conclusion, remember that your commentary has to lead to a decision.
  • Conclusions must be a natural extension of the conducted analysis and its explanations. They should stand relevant, backed up by evidence from the accompanying sources, and address the chosen question directly.  
  • The word limit for the IB Business SL IA is 1500, with the number of words noted on the first page. Regarding IB Business HL IA, the Research Proposal should be 500 words, while the word limit for the Written Report is 2000 words. Remember, do not beat around the bush. A single paragraph of irrelevant or extra data will completely digress the report. Thus, the comments should always support or focus on the highlighted situation or question. Through the discussion, subject-oriented vocabulary must be utilized. This showcases that your conference addresses the given question throughout.
  • For Business SL, all corroborating papers of your primary research and any references utilized must be accompanied by a bibliography. Secondary data may be used for support for Business HL. Your preliminary research details should be mentioned in the appendix. The supporting documents are a critical piece of your puzzle, so examine them thoroughly.  
  • Choose a topic keeping your strengths in mind -  Make a mental map of the themes in your curriculum that you'd like to learn more about, along with companies that you're willing to take part in or deal with frequently. Selecting a company whose statistics are widely or easily obtainable for you to utilize in your investigation is an intelligent choice. Cross-reference those themes and companies, then come up with several research problems. Ensure you clarify how you conduct analyses and what this implies for a competitive or profitable firm. Its marketplace in case your topic includes broad phrases like  competitive, dynamic or successful.  
  • Include relevant factors in your evaluation -  Your research has to be the center of your evaluation. The assessment should be logical and relevant to the business and its principles. In addition to that, your analysis and interpretation should be backed up by sufficient evidence, and the findings must be based on your evaluation. The conclusion should provide an answer to your core evaluation. Suggestions for the topic's future activities and suggestions for further research should always be offered (It is essential to give tips wherever necessary). Analytical and critical reflection must also be present in the evaluation section.  
  • Understand the aim of your rationale -  The rationale is not to prove or justify why you seem interested in the topic. Instead, cover why your chosen company is the right fit for your case. Let's take, for instance, the firm is now focusing on enhancing the quality of goods and services, and your Business IA is connected to boosting performance. Here, you are supposed to have a reference to showcase the same. This demonstrates to the teacher that your effort is worthwhile and noteworthy.

The IB business IA report is demanding, no doubt about that. However, losing hope or lowering your expectations will get you nowhere. Thus, aim for scoring a 7! There is no silver bullet for scoring a seven since it always boils back to actual effort and perseverance.

  • Keep records, practice questions, and review related material handy. It would help if you felt like a company leader to succeed in IB business IA. You must provide answers to every problem or question in the corporate world. Use journal articles and case studies to put this strategy into practice. Put yourself in the shoes of a director or an advisor.  
  • Do not lag! As your study will depend heavily on individuals and factors from outside the school setting, you should begin your internal review on schedule. The last thing you need is conducting late research, cramping up your nights, and not thoroughly planning the entire report. Make an action plan, divide each stage of the information (like research, analysis, writing, references, etc.) by weeks and give undivided attention to the task at hand. Thus, getting started on your coursework as soon as possible is imperative.  
  • Make sure you're familiar with the course material. This will aid in developing your plan; you may either begin by working on themes or focusing on the basic principles. Keep up with the latest business news from the day your curriculum starts. This will help you save time when picking a company for your IA since you will already be aware of companies and their recent updates. Every company has its approach to running its operations. Reading the most recent business news will help you comprehend each organization's various techniques, thus helping you pick the best out of all.  
  • Don't Charge-in Aimlessly. It's incredibly beneficial to invest serious effort into understanding what to compose and how your IB business IA topic would develop in writing. It would help if you had a general notion of what you want to accomplish before starting. It would help if you were alright as long as you have a general idea of what you want in your IA. Making a one-page outline with primary headings and subheadings and writing down some thoughts will help you channel your ideas.
  • Mention some of your research's shortcomings. There should be at most one, if not two. Demonstrate that you've thought deeply about your internal assessment. You might talk about any inconsistencies in your research and why they exist.  
  • Since the entire HL Internal Assessment revolves majorly around primary research, it's a good idea for learners to look at relatively small, local firms. There's a better possibility you'll be able to schedule conversations and obtain specific information, such as cash flow figures.  
  • As an IB student completing the IA, you'll have to emphasize constructing comments, picking which argument on an organization might effectively back your claims, and looking for any potentially contradictory information. This combination of contradictions supported by your solutions/suggestions is advantageous to your evaluation.  
  • Before conducting primary research on your specific firm, looking for secondary sources or asking where you would obtain additional information about them is suggested. Some instances could be in covered print publications, or the mainstream press profiled them.  
  • Create a statement/argument at least 250 words long for every source you mention. This number may vary based on the supplementary or primary resources available. Still, the objective would be that the IA should be a single and well-supported argument.  
  • Whatever you discover in the analysis and how you apply it will determine the quality of your work. Remember that your work should flow smoothly and not appear like a poorly articulated argument accompanied by sources cited as evidence rather than facts for the idea.  
  • Your teacher will critique your IA original proposal. Don't be too concerned. After all, it's the first version, and no one ever wrote a flawless first copy. Accept the teacher's criticism carefully, evaluate whatever they said and wrote, and above all, pay attention to the suggestions they make for your progress. This is precisely what will get you a couple of grades higher.  
  • As per the IB business IA format, you will have to figure out where you'll place your sources and which referrals go where and for what purpose. Ensure you're correctly referencing and utilizing the materials you've learned about to avoid plagiarism. This is why it's crucial to plan.  
  • You must do an analysis that tackles a problem that an organization is experiencing or examine a choice that an organization is about to make. In addition, you must write a study proposal that may be utilized as a critical project plan and can be displayed as an implementation strategy.  
  • You must do an analysis that tackles a problem that an organization is experiencing or examine a choice that an organization is about to make. In addition, you must write a study proposal that may be utilized as a critical project plan and can be displayed as an implementation strategy.

It does not end here. Business IA HL and SL prep is a never-ending process, but you should still explore it. Remember to have fun in this journey of becoming a business genius. You can show why the given choices were made or what techniques using concepts and substance may be used. Also, continue to examine firms critically daily.  

To wrap things up, here's a c omplete IB DP Business Management Guide published by the IB. I t will come in handy throughout your Business Course journey.

That's all for now! We hope this comprehensive guide answers your queries about IB Business IA! Whenever stuck, Nail IB will be there to your rescue. You can explore  our plan  or get in touch with  IB professionals here.

Happy learning!

To wrap things up, here's a complete  IB DP Business Management Guide   published by the IB. It will come in handy throughout your Business Course journey.

IB Resources you will love!

TutorChase

IB Business Management IA HL: 60 Examples and Guidance

Charles Whitehouse

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program offers a variety of assessments for students, including Internal Assessments (IAs), which are pieces of coursework marked by students’ teachers. The Business Management HL IA is an assessment designed to test students' understanding of the material they have learned in their business management course and their ability to conduct independent research. The investigation should be a self-directed study that demonstrates the student's ability to understand and analyze a specific, real-world business issue.

The IB has updated the Business Management syllabus for students beginning the course in 2024. The key changes include a greater emphasis on sustainability, ethics, and digital transformation. This update requires students to integrate these themes into their IA, reflecting the evolving business landscape. Additionally, students are now encouraged to focus on emerging industries and the impact of global trends.

Students should note that the Standard Level and Higher Level Internal Assessments for Business Management are quite different. In HL, students are expected to carry out their own investigation to curate primary research, while SL students only need to write a written commentary. Check out our separate article for guidance on the SL IA !

What is the IB Business Management IA?

The HL internal assessment is a research project that allows students to demonstrate the application of their skills and knowledge to business issues or decision-making.

Students are required to:

  • design and undertake research that either addresses an issue facing a business organization or a range of organizations or analyses a decision to be made by a business organization or range of organizations
  • select a real business organization or a range of organizations and a real issue or decision under investigation
  • base their research project on primary research they gather from the organization investigated (secondary research may be used as support)
  • provide a title for the research project that, to give focus and direction, must be framed as a question
  • produce a research proposal (of maximum 500 words), including an action plan, to be used as the primary planning document
  • produce a written report that does not exceed 2,000 words
  • write the report in a style and format of a useful working document for management.

The word count does not include the title page, acknowledgements, contents page, executive summary, tables of statistical data, diagrams or figures, equations, citations, references, bibliography, and appendices.

📈Boost your grades with our revision platform, used by 100,000+ students! 📝Access thousands of practice questions, study notes, and past papers for every subject. 📚 View IB Resources 📚 View A-Level Resources 📚 View GCSE Resources 📚 View IGCSE Resources

Sustainability and Ethics in Business Management IAs

The 2024 syllabus update places a strong emphasis on sustainability and ethical business practices. Students must consider how businesses navigate the balance between profitability and social responsibility. This includes analyzing the impact of corporate actions on communities, the environment, and future generations.

Improve your grades with TutorChase

The world’s top online tutoring provider trusted by students, parents, and schools globally.

4.93 /5 based on 486 reviews

60 Example Investigation Questions

When formulating a research question, it's important to ensure it is forward-looking and aimed at a current issue or decision still relevant to the business organization(s). Avoid focusing on descriptive aspects of something already finished, and instead, aim to make recommendations for future action. Seeking guidance from the teacher in crafting an appropriate research question can be beneficial.

You should check before you get started that your chosen organization has information which is accessible to you. Otherwise, you will not be able to get the data necessary to create a meaningful IA. You should also bear in mind that, if your EE is also in Business Management, your IA should be on different syllabus content. Now here are 60 example investigation questions written by our expert IB Business Management tutors .

1. How is Tesla addressing the challenges of scaling up production while maintaining sustainability goals?

Start by conducting a detailed review of Tesla's history, strategy, and market position. Collect secondary data from financial reports, market research, and industry analysis. Use models like SWOT and PESTEL to analyze the external and internal factors that have contributed to Tesla's growth. Make sure to analyze Tesla's unique innovations, business model, and marketing strategy in-depth. A private IB Maths tutor can help with analyzing financial reports and industry data using statistical tools like regression analysis to understand factors influencing growth.

2. What has been the long-term impact of Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox on its content strategy and market dominance?

Begin with an overview of the merger, including its objectives and the strategic rationale provided by the companies. Collect financial and strategic data from before and after the merger. Analyze the impact of the merger on Disney’s market position, financial performance, and content portfolio. Conduct a deep analysis of how this merger has contributed to Disney's recent strategic initiatives, like the launch of Disney+.

3. How does Apple's supply chain management contribute to its competitive advantage?

Collect detailed information about Apple's supply chain from industry reports and analysis. Examine how the company manages its suppliers, manufacturing processes, and logistics. Analyze the role of supply chain management in supporting Apple's business strategy, product quality, and profitability. Pay particular attention to the company's approach to inventory management and supplier relationships.

4. What impact did Microsoft's acquisition of LinkedIn have on its strategic positioning in the business software market?

Start with a detailed analysis of the objectives and strategic rationale behind the acquisition. Collect data on Microsoft's and LinkedIn's performance and market position before and after the acquisition. Analyze the ways in which the acquisition has enhanced Microsoft's product portfolio, market reach, and competitive positioning. Discuss any synergies that have been realized as a result of the acquisition.

5. How effective is Samsung's diversification strategy in mitigating risk and promoting growth?

Conduct a comprehensive review of Samsung's diversification strategy across different sectors, such as smartphones, semiconductors, home appliances, and more. Collect data on the performance of each of these business segments. Use tools like a Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Matrix to analyze the contribution of each segment to Samsung's overall business. Investigate how this diversification strategy has affected Samsung's risk profile and growth prospects.

6. What factors have contributed to Netflix's dominance in the streaming services market?

Begin by conducting a thorough review of Netflix's strategy and market position. Collect secondary data from financial reports, market research, and industry analysis. Use models like SWOT and PESTEL to analyze the external and internal factors that have contributed to Netflix's success. Analyze Netflix's content strategy, technology platform, and pricing model in-depth to identify key success factors.

7. How has Amazon's business model contributed to its competitive advantage in the retail sector?

Review Amazon's business model, including its value proposition, revenue streams, and key resources. Investigate how these components interact to create a competitive advantage. Analyze Amazon's customer focus, technological capabilities, and logistics network. Conclude by evaluating how the business model supports Amazon's market position and growth.

8. How effective is Coca-Cola's global marketing strategy in promoting its brand and products?

Investigate Coca-Cola's marketing strategy in different regions, focusing on product positioning, promotions, and pricing. Analyze how the company tailors its strategy to fit local cultures and preferences. Evaluate how the strategy promotes the Coca-Cola brand and drives sales. Consider factors like cultural sensitivity, creativity, and effective use of media channels.

9. How has Facebook's acquisition strategy contributed to its growth in the social media market?

Analyze Facebook's major acquisitions, like Instagram and WhatsApp. Evaluate the strategic rationale for each acquisition and its impact on Facebook's user base, product portfolio, and competitive positioning. Examine the integration process for each acquired company, focusing on challenges and successes.

10. What role does innovation play in Google's competitive advantage in the search engine market?

Investigate Google's innovation strategy, including its approach to research and development, organizational culture, and resource allocation. Analyze the impact of this strategy on Google's product portfolio and market position in the search engine industry. Evaluate the effectiveness of this strategy in maintaining Google's competitive advantage. An online IB English tutor could guide on how to construct an analytical essay that explores the role of innovation in Google's strategy, using theories of organizational culture and management.

11. How does IKEA's cost leadership strategy contribute to its competitive advantage in the furniture market?

Review IKEA's business model and cost leadership strategy. Investigate how the company manages its costs through efficient operations, product design, and supply chain management. Analyze how this strategy supports IKEA's pricing, profitability, and market position. Evaluate the sustainability of this strategy in the face of rising competition and changing consumer preferences.

12. How effective is Nike's branding strategy in enhancing its market position in the sportswear industry?

Investigate Nike's branding strategy, including its brand image, positioning, and communication. Analyze the impact of this strategy on Nike's customer loyalty, market share, and profitability. Evaluate the effectiveness of the branding strategy in differentiating Nike from its competitors.

13. What factors have contributed to Zoom's rapid growth in the video conferencing market?

Conduct a thorough review of Zoom's history, strategy, and market position. Collect secondary data from financial reports, market research, and industry analysis. Use models like SWOT and PESTEL to analyze the factors that have contributed to Zoom's growth. Consider factors like user experience, pricing, and marketing strategy.

14. How effective is Starbucks' localization strategy in its international expansion?

Investigate Starbucks' localization strategy in different countries. Analyze how the company adapts its products, store design, and marketing to fit local cultures. Evaluate the effectiveness of this strategy in attracting customers and promoting the Starbucks brand.

15. What impact did the Dieselgate scandal have on Volkswagen's brand image and financial performance?

Analyze the Dieselgate scandal and its aftermath. Collect data on Volkswagen's brand image, sales, and profitability before and after the scandal. Evaluate the effectiveness of Volkswagen's crisis management and recovery strategies.

16. How does McDonald's franchising model contribute to its global expansion and profitability?

Review McDonald's franchising model and its implementation in different countries. Investigate the benefits and challenges of franchising for McDonald's. Analyze the impact of this model on the company's global expansion, profitability, and brand consistency.

17. How does the use of artificial intelligence (AI) give Alibaba a competitive edge in e-commerce?

Start by understanding Alibaba's applications of AI in areas such as customer service, product recommendations, and logistics. Collect data and case studies showcasing its implementation. Analyze the effects on customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and profitability.

18. What factors contributed to the failure of Nokia's mobile phone business?

Delve into the history of Nokia, focusing on its rise and fall in the mobile phone market. Use business analysis tools such as SWOT or PESTEL to identify the internal and external factors that led to Nokia's decline. Examine the company's strategy, innovation, and response to competition.

19. How effective is Unilever's sustainable business model?

Investigate Unilever's sustainable business model and its approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR). Evaluate how effectively Unilever has integrated sustainability into its strategy, operations, and product lines. Analyze the impact on brand image, customer loyalty, and profitability.

20. How does Samsung's product diversification strategy impact its market position in the electronics industry?

Examine Samsung's product portfolio and diversification strategy. Investigate how the company manages its product mix and leverages synergies between different product lines. Analyze the impact on market share, risk management, and financial performance.

21. How has Pfizer's strategy in R&D contributed to its success in the pharmaceutical industry?

Analyze Pfizer's approach to research and development, including its investment strategy, partnerships, and focus areas. Evaluate the success of this strategy based on the company's product pipeline, patent portfolio, and market position. Consider the role of innovation and scientific breakthroughs in Pfizer's success.

22. How effective was the strategic turnaround plan implemented by Ford Motor Company?

Investigate the key components of Ford's turnaround plan, including cost-cutting measures, product development, and strategic partnerships. Analyze the impact of these initiatives on Ford's financial performance and market position. Evaluate the success of the plan based on key performance indicators (KPIs) and stakeholder feedback.

23. How does Zara's fast-fashion business model contribute to its competitive advantage in the retail industry?

Review Zara's business model, with an emphasis on its approach to design, manufacturing, and distribution. Analyze how this fast-fashion model supports Zara's competitive positioning, customer satisfaction, and profitability. A UK private tutor can assist in understanding the principles of supply chain management and strategic business positioning.

24. What impact did the COVID-19 pandemic have on Airbnb's business model and financial performance?

Analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Airbnb's bookings, revenue, and profitability. Investigate the changes Airbnb made to its business model and strategy in response to the crisis. Evaluate the effectiveness of these changes based on Airbnb's post-pandemic performance and recovery.

25. How has Tesla's strategy of selling electric cars directly to consumers impacted its market position?

Investigate Tesla's direct-to-consumer sales strategy and its implications for the traditional dealership model. Analyze the impact on Tesla's customer experience, market share, and profitability. Consider potential challenges and regulatory issues associated with this approach.

26. How effective is the Blue Ocean Strategy employed by Cirque du Soleil in the entertainment industry?

Analyze Cirque du Soleil's implementation of the Blue Ocean Strategy, focusing on its creation of a unique market space in the entertainment industry. Evaluate the effectiveness of this strategy in differentiating Cirque du Soleil from traditional circuses and other forms of entertainment.

27. How did Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox affect its market position in the entertainment industry?

Explore Disney's strategic rationale behind acquiring 21st Century Fox. Assess the integration process and its impact on Disney's content library, distribution channels, and competitive positioning. Analyze the financial implications and discuss whether the acquisition achieved its stated objectives.

28. What role has innovation played in SpaceX's disruption of the aerospace industry?

Investigate SpaceX's innovation strategy, including its focus on reusable rockets and cost reduction. Analyze how these innovations have challenged industry norms and impacted SpaceX's market position. Evaluate the sustainability of this innovation-driven strategy in the long term.

29. How effective is Netflix's content strategy in driving subscriber growth and retention?

Study Netflix's content strategy, including its investment in original content and localization of content for international markets. Evaluate the impact on subscriber growth, retention rates, and viewer engagement. Consider the sustainability of this strategy given the costs of content production and rising competition.

30. How did the 737 MAX crisis impact Boeing's reputation and financial performance?

Analyze the 737 MAX crisis and its impact on Boeing. Look at the company's response to the crisis, and how this affected its reputation among customers, regulators, and the public. Investigate the financial consequences of the crisis, including litigation costs, compensation to airlines, and lost sales.

31. What factors have contributed to the success of Zoom's freemium business model?

Investigate Zoom's freemium business model, focusing on its approach to free users, premium offerings, and monetization. Analyze how this model has contributed to Zoom's user growth, conversion rates, and revenue. Consider potential challenges and risks associated with this business model.

32. How effective is Apple's retail strategy in promoting its brand and products?

Review Apple's retail strategy, including its store design, customer service, and in-store experiences. Evaluate how effectively these elements promote the Apple brand, drive sales, and enhance customer loyalty.

33. What impact have trade tariffs had on Harley-Davidson's international operations and financial performance?

Examine the impact of trade tariffs on Harley-Davidson, focusing on its international operations and financial performance. Analyze how the company has responded to these tariffs, including changes to its supply chain, production locations, and pricing. Evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies. IB Economics tutoring can provide insights into the economic theories behind tariffs and their impact on international business.

34. How has Alibaba's strategy of ecosystem creation contributed to its success in the Chinese e-commerce market?

Analyze Alibaba's ecosystem strategy, including its portfolio of platforms, partnerships, and investments. Discuss how these elements work together to create value for customers, drive user engagement, and enhance Alibaba's competitive position.

35. What effect did the Volkswagen emissions scandal have on the company's brand and financial health?

Study the Volkswagen emissions scandal in depth, its effects on the company's reputation, customer loyalty, and financial status. Consider how Volkswagen managed the crisis, its mitigation strategies, and any significant strategic shifts following the scandal.

36. What strategies did Microsoft employ to transition successfully towards cloud computing?

Investigate Microsoft's strategic moves towards cloud computing. Evaluate the effectiveness of its approach in terms of customer acquisition, retention, and revenue generation. Also, assess how this strategic transition affected Microsoft's position in the tech industry.

27. How has Amazon's growth affected local retail businesses?

Research the impacts of Amazon's expansion on local retail businesses. Examine both direct effects (e.g., market competition) and indirect effects (e.g., changes in consumer behavior). Use a variety of sources, such as academic studies, industry reports, and interviews with local business owners.

38. How effective has Starbucks's focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR) been in enhancing its brand image?

Examine Starbucks's CSR initiatives and the impacts on its brand image. Assess how the company communicates its CSR efforts to customers and whether these efforts have resulted in increased customer loyalty, brand recognition, or sales.

39. How has McDonald's adapted its menu to cater to different international markets?

Examine McDonald's strategy of localizing its menu for international markets. Consider why the company has chosen this approach and analyze its effects on sales, customer satisfaction, and brand image in various countries.

40. What factors led to Blockbuster's failure to adapt to the changing video rental market?

Investigate the strategic decisions made by Blockbuster during the rise of digital streaming and rental services. Identify key factors that contributed to its inability to adapt effectively, and examine the impact of these decisions on its eventual downfall.

41. How effective has Patagonia's environmental advocacy been in influencing its customers and industry?

Review Patagonia's environmental initiatives and advocacy efforts. Analyze how these actions have influenced customer perceptions, loyalty, and purchasing behavior. Assess whether Patagonia's stance has inspired changes within its industry.

42. How has Coca-Cola's marketing strategy evolved over the years?

Explore the history of Coca-Cola's marketing campaigns, noting major shifts and innovations. Evaluate how these changes have contributed to the brand's enduring popularity and market dominance. Assess the role of cultural, societal, and technological changes in shaping Coca-Cola's marketing approach.

43. How has Tesla's direct-to-consumer sales model disrupted the traditional auto industry?

Examine the distinctive direct-to-consumer model employed by Tesla, its impacts on customer experience and cost structures. Evaluate how this sales model has disrupted the traditional dealership system and discuss the implications for the broader auto industry.

44. What impact has digital transformation had on traditional banking, using Barclays as a case study?

Review Barclays' digital transformation journey and its effects on the bank's services, customer engagement, and operational efficiency. Analyze the challenges encountered and how the bank navigated through these challenges. Evaluate the overall impact of digital transformation on Barclays' competitive positioning in the banking industry.

45. What factors contributed to Kodak's failure to transition effectively into the digital photography era?

Investigate Kodak's decision-making and strategy during the rise of digital photography. Identify critical missteps and missed opportunities that led to its decline. Analyze the effects of these decisions on Kodak's market share, financial performance, and survival. An online IB History tutor can help analyze this case study within the broader context of technological evolution and industry shifts.

46. How does IKEA's cost-leadership strategy contribute to its global success?

Examine IKEA's cost-leadership strategy and how it underpins the company's value proposition. Consider how IKEA achieves cost efficiencies through product design, supply chain management, and store operations. Evaluate the role of this strategy in IKEA's global success and industry leadership.

47. How has Google's corporate culture contributed to its innovative capabilities?

Explore Google's corporate culture and how it supports innovation. Consider aspects like its work environment, management style, and employee incentives. Assess the impacts of this culture on Google's product development, employee satisfaction, and overall competitiveness.

48. What role has diversification played in Virgin Group's growth strategy?

Investigate Virgin Group's diversification strategy, examining its entry into various industries. Analyze the synergies and challenges that have arisen from this strategy. Evaluate the contribution of diversification to Virgin Group's growth, brand strength, and risk management.

49. How effective is Walmart's supply chain management in supporting its low-price strategy?

Examine Walmart's supply chain management practices, including its use of technology, supplier relationships, and logistics. Analyze how these practices contribute to Walmart's cost savings and ability to offer low prices. Evaluate the scalability and sustainability of Walmart's supply chain strategy.

50. How has Airbnb's business model disrupted the traditional hospitality industry?

Study Airbnb's business model, focusing on aspects like its platform structure, value proposition, and growth strategy. Analyze the impacts of Airbnb on the hospitality industry, including effects on hotel revenues, pricing strategies, and customer expectations.

51. How has Zara's 'Fast Fashion' model influenced its success in the fashion industry?

Investigate Zara's 'Fast Fashion' model, considering its rapid turnaround times, trend adaptation, and lean supply chain. Evaluate how this model has contributed to Zara's global success, profitability, and influence in the fashion industry.

52. How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact Peloton's business model and market position?

Review how the COVID-19 pandemic affected Peloton's business model, including its product demand, customer acquisition, and operational strategies. Analyze how the company adapted to these changes and how they affected its market position and competitive strategy.

53. How has Unilever's Sustainable Living Plan affected its brand image and financial performance?

Study Unilever's Sustainable Living Plan and its impact on the company's brand image, customer perception, and financial performance. Evaluate the effectiveness of this corporate sustainability strategy and its influence on Unilever's business operations and growth.

54. What role has technology played in Domino's Pizza's turnaround strategy?

Explore how Domino's Pizza used technology to transform its business, focusing on areas like online ordering, delivery tracking, and customer engagement. Evaluate the impact of these technological initiatives on Domino's turnaround, customer experience, and market share.

55. How has Gucci leveraged digital marketing to engage with its customers?

Examine Gucci's digital marketing strategies, including its use of social media, influencer marketing, and immersive technology. Evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies in terms of customer engagement, brand visibility, and sales growth.

56. How has Samsung's investment in R&D driven its competitiveness in the smartphone market?

Analyze Samsung's R&D investment strategy and its contribution to the company's competitiveness in the smartphone market. Consider how this investment has translated into product innovation, market differentiation, and customer value.

57. What strategies has Costco employed to maintain its competitive edge in the warehouse club industry?

Investigate Costco's strategies that set it apart in the warehouse club industry, such as its membership model, product selection, and pricing strategy. Evaluate how these strategies have contributed to Costco's customer loyalty, sales growth, and industry standing.

58. How has Adidas's collaboration with fashion designers influenced its brand positioning?

Study Adidas's collaboration strategy with fashion designers and influencers. Assess how these collaborations have influenced Adidas's brand image, customer perception, and market position within the sportswear industry.

59. How has Salesforce's acquisition strategy contributed to its growth in the cloud software market?

Review Salesforce's acquisition strategy and its impact on the company's product portfolio, customer base, and market position. Evaluate the integration process and the financial implications of these acquisitions.

60. How has Uber's surge pricing strategy affected its profitability and customer perception?

Examine Uber's surge pricing strategy, its rationale, and its impact on the company's profitability. Assess the strategy's influence on customer perception, demand elasticity, and overall service use.

Have a look at our comprehensive set of IB Business Management Resources that include IB Business Management Study Notes and IB Business Management Questions , developed by expert IB teachers and examiners!

What is the research proposal?

The internal assessment must start with a research proposal. This will become the primary planning document, giving direction to the research project. The maximum length of the research proposal is 500 words. The word count must be stated on the submitted work. If the word limit is exceeded, the teacher’s assessment must be based on the first 500 words of the proposal.

This should comprise:

  • The research question
  • Rationale for study
  • Areas of the syllabus to be covered
  • Possible sources of information
  • Organizations and individuals to be approached
  • Methods to be used to collect and analyze data
  • Order of activities and timescale of the project
  • Anticipated difficulties, such as limited or biased sources
  • Action plan

What should I include in the written report?

This is the second part of the IA and will document your findings.

The written report should include these sections:

  • Title page : Clearly indicating the project's content, the student's name, the intended audience, and the word count
  • Acknowledgements : Recognizing individuals and/or organizations that made the report's production possible.
  • Contents page: Listing the major headings in the report, starting with the executive summary, with clear page numbers.
  • Executive summary (abstract) : A concise, clear, and explicit summary of the report, including recommendations and conclusions. The research question and executive summary should guide the reader to the substance of the report. The executive summary should not exceed 200 words and is not included in the word count.
  • Introduction : Providing background knowledge about the organization(s) and outlining the issue or decision under investigation.
  • Research question
  • Methodology employed : A summary of primary and, where relevant, secondary research undertaken, including the business tools, techniques, and theories applied. The section should also assess the validity and reliability of the data collected and explain any changes made during the research process.
  • Main results and findings : Clarifying what the raw data reveals and presenting a summary of the data collected and findings made. This section should be supported by tables, graphs, and statistics where appropriate.
  • Analysis and discussion : Analyzing the results and findings with the help of relevant business tools, techniques, and theories. Interpreting the main issues emerging from the research and discussing their implications, including strengths and weaknesses of various positions on the issue or decision under investigation.
  • Conclusion(s) and recommendation(s) : Following on from the analysis and discussion, the conclusions should not present new facts or arguments. Recommendations should be precise, practical proposals for action that answer the research question and stem from the conclusions. If the results of the research are inconclusive, further research should be recommended. The report should be forward-looking and support the organization's decision-making process to be of practical value to management.
  • References and bibliography : For presentation of references and bibliography, please see the section on acknowledging the ideas and work of another person in the “The Diploma Programme” section of this subject guide.
  • Appendices : The appendices should contain only information or data that is required to support of the text and should be clearly referred to where relevant. The appendices will typically include examples of photographs, documents, questionnaires, numerical raw data in tables and statistical calculations.

Students should utilise the best online IB resources to ensure their Internal Assessment is comprehensive, well-researched, and adheres to the highest academic standards.

How is the IA assessed?

Criterion A: Research proposal

Students should present a research proposal that gives an effective direction for the project, with all the required elements, which are appropriate, detailed, clear and focused.

Criterion B: Sources and data

Students should select primary sources and collect data which addresses an issue or a decision to be made by an organization or a range of organizations in appropriate depth and breadth. The sources should be appropriate, varied and sufficient.

Criterion C: Use of tools, techniques and theories

Students should understand and apply relevant business management tools, techniques and theories so that a greater insight into the situation of the organization ensues.

Criterion D: Analysis and evaluation

Students should explain the issue or decision to be made and integrate their ideas coherently. This should be analyzed skilfully with consistent evidence of substantiated evaluation.

Criterion E: Conclusions

The student should draw substantiated, consistent conclusions based on the evidence, and identify areas for further study.

Criterion F: Recommendations

The student should make substantiated recommendations which are consistent with the conclusions made.

Criterion G: Structure

There should be an easy to follow, appropriate structure.

Criterion H: Presentation

The student should present all the required components in the correct order and format.

Criterion I: Reflective thinking

Students should reflect critically on their work.

How much does the IA contribute to my overall grade?

The IA will make up 20% of your final grade, with the furth 80% being based on Papers 1, 2, and 3 in your final exams.

Check out the IB’s subject brief for a reminder of the rest of the key Business Management facts.

International Baccalaureate Subject Brief: Business Management SL

Source: International Baccalaureate Subject Brief : Business Management SL

Mastering the IB Business Management IA at the Higher Level demands a strategic approach, combining an insightful research question with robust analysis and evaluation. The examples and guidance outlined in this post, along with resources like IB Business Management Q&A Revision Notes , provide a solid foundation for students. However, consider leveraging the expertise such as IB tutoring . Such personalized support can significantly enhance your understanding and skills, leading to not only a successful IA but also a deeper comprehension of business management principles, which is invaluable in your academic journey and beyond.

Need help from an expert?

Study and Practice for Free

Trusted by 100,000+ Students Worldwide

Achieve Top Grades in your Exams with our Free Resources.

Practice Questions, Study Notes, and Past Exam Papers for all Subjects!

Need Expert IB Help?

If you’re looking for assistance with your internal assessment, get in touch with the TutorChase team and we’ll be able to provide you with an expert IB Business Management tutor. We’ll be there every step of the way!

Charlie

Professional tutor and Cambridge University researcher

Charles Whitehouse

Written by: Charles Whitehouse

Charles scored 45/45 on the International Baccalaureate and has six years' experience tutoring IB and IGCSE students and advising them with their university applications. He studied a double integrated Masters at Magdalen College Oxford and has worked as a research scientist and strategy consultant.

Related Posts

IB Business Management IA SL: 60 Examples and Guidance

IB Business Management IA SL: 60 Examples and Guidance

What are the Easiest IB Subjects?

What are the Easiest IB Subjects?

Preparing for the May 2024 IB Exams

Preparing for the May 2024 IB Exams

background image

Hire a tutor

Please fill out the form and we'll find a tutor for you

  • Select your country
  • Afghanistan
  • Åland Islands
  • American Samoa
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Bouvet Island
  • British Indian Ocean Territory
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Burkina Faso
  • Cayman Islands
  • Central African Republic
  • Christmas Island
  • Cocos (Keeling) Islands
  • Congo, The Democratic Republic of the
  • Cook Islands
  • Cote D'Ivoire
  • Czech Republic
  • Dominican Republic
  • El Salvador
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
  • Faroe Islands
  • French Guiana
  • French Polynesia
  • French Southern Territories
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Heard Island and Mcdonald Islands
  • Holy See (Vatican City State)
  • Iran, Islamic Republic Of
  • Isle of Man
  • Korea, Democratic People'S Republic of
  • Korea, Republic of
  • Lao People'S Democratic Republic
  • Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
  • Liechtenstein
  • Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of
  • Marshall Islands
  • Micronesia, Federated States of
  • Moldova, Republic of
  • Netherlands
  • Netherlands Antilles
  • New Caledonia
  • New Zealand
  • Norfolk Island
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Palestinian Territory, Occupied
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Philippines
  • Puerto Rico
  • Russian Federation
  • Saint Helena
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Pierre and Miquelon
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Sao Tome and Principe
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Serbia and Montenegro
  • Sierra Leone
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Africa
  • South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
  • Svalbard and Jan Mayen
  • Switzerland
  • Syrian Arab Republic
  • Taiwan, Province of China
  • Tanzania, United Republic of
  • Timor-Leste
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turkmenistan
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • United States Minor Outlying Islands
  • Virgin Islands, British
  • Virgin Islands, U.S.
  • Wallis and Futuna
  • Western Sahara

background

Alternatively contact us via WhatsApp, Phone Call, or Email

Mindlab International

Roadmap to Success:

Ibdp business ia tips.

“Analyze your primary data by applying several business tools you have learnt (using quantitative tools will produce clearer results). Almost everyone uses SWOT – be different!” Written by: Jerry Grzegorzek IBDP Business Management Teacher & IB Examiner & EE Supervisor and Cambridge IGCSE & AS & A2 Business Studies Teacher

Navigate the IB Business IA Tips page easily by clicking the section icons below.

Choosing the business

Choosing the question, type of research, research proposal & action plan, main results and findings, analysis and evaluation, presentation, pay attention to the assessment criteria.

IB Business IA Tips

Internal Assessment is compulsory for both SL and HL students enabling you to demonstrate the application of skills and knowledge, and to pursue personal interests in business management. The IA requirements for SL and HL students are different. The SL IA is a written commentary and the HL IA is a research project .

To produce IA, you need to choose, know, and analyze the business.

IAs are marked by school teachers and externally moderated by the IB. Examiners moderate IAs using the best-fit model and spend around 10-15 minutes on marking one IA, usually reading it only once. Different assessment criteria are provided for SL and HL students.

The total number of marks for IA is 25 marks, for both SL and HL, and IAs contribute 25% to the final grade. Therefore, without a good IA, it barely possible to score a 6 or 7 in DP Business Management.

SL students should spend around 15 hours while HL students should spend around 30 hours on their IAs. SL students need around 20-25 marks to get a 7, and around 10-12 marks to get a 4, while HL students need around 18-25 marks to get a 7, and around 10-12 marks to get a 4.

Important: Visit the official IBO page  for the most updated requirements of this curriculum.

Click this page for our IB Business Management Exam Guide .

IB Business IA Tips: Standard Level (SL)

It is a written commentary on a real business issue/problem faced by a real organization in the past . It is based on 3-5 supporting documents which are secondary sources . These must be printed out and attached to the commentary at the end.

  • Is Tesla’s decision to increase productive capacity by building a new manufacturing plant in Shanghai a sound financial decision?
  • Is including a product line for male customers a profitable decision for Prada?

Supporting documents

Business tools, techniques, theories, use, analysis and evaluation of data.

  • identifying the issue or problem
  • balanced analysis of strengths and weaknesses
  • the final conclusion

SL IA Criteria:

  • Criterion A:

3-5 supporting documents must be relevant to the tile, sufficient to answer the question and provide a range of ideas from different stakeholders.

  • Criterion B:

See above about business tools.

  • Criterion C:

Focus on analysing supporting documents . What is written in other sources should only complement your commentary – IA SL is not a literature review.

  • Criterion D:

Conclusions should include recommendations.

  • Criterion E:

Evaluation should include limitations.

  • Criterion F:

Structure of ideas rather than structure of the document itself – ‘Is your language clear?’, ‘Can the examiner easily understand your ideas?’

  • Criterion G:

No elements should be missing! Follow the structure:

(1) Title page

(2) Contents page

(3) Introduction

(4) Findings

(5) Analysis and discussion

(6) Conclusions

IB Business IA Tips: Higher Level (HL)

It is a research project addressing an issue faced by an organization or a decision to be made in the future . It is mainly based on primary research gathered from the organization investigated. Business tools, theories and concepts should be used to analyse and evaluate, leading to recommendations that will help address the research question. This report must be of practical use to management. HL IA must start with a 500-words Research Proposal & Action Plan that serves planning purposes.

  • Should Tasty Bites Bakery purchase a new delivery truck to cater for customers in the city center?
  • Should Shiny Jewelry stop outsourcing production of gold ornaments in order to increase its profit margins?

Main results & findings

Pay attention to assessment criteria, hl ia criteria:.

Research proposal needs to be appropriate, detailed, clear and focused. No elements should be missing!

Explain reasons for selecting primary sources and primary markets research methods used. Research proposal should say what will be done in the IA.

More than 1 primary research method is required to score 3 marks, ideally have 3 different methods :

(1) Interview

(3) Observation or Focus Group

Company information such as Final Accounts are considered secondary data. The primary sources selected and data collected must be appropriate, varied and sufficient . Interview transcript should be in Appendix.

Use tools, techniques and theories in the main body only to analyse primary data collected. You must show that you understand each tool , e.g. explain selection of forces and weights in Force Field Analysis.

Main Results and Findings should be separated from Analysis and Discussion. In Analysis and Discussion part, explain the business issue/problem, analyse the decision to be made, evaluate arguments for and against this decision, and make judgements.

Conclusions must be consistent with the analysis and evaluation part, and supported by evidence .

Recommendations should be related to the main body and consistent with conclusions. Areas of further study must be in Recommendations , not in Conclusions. Further study must be relevant to the existing investigation.

  • Criterion H:

(1) The research proposal consists four components:

– Research question

– Proposed methodology

– Anticipated difficulties, such as limited or biased sources

– Action Plan

(2) Title page

(3) Acknowledgements

(4) Contents page

(5) Executive summary

(6) Introduction

(7) Research question

(8) Methodology employed

(9) Main results and findings

(10) Analysis and Discussion

(11) Conclusions

(12) Recommendations

(13) Bibliography and references

(14) Appendices

  • Criterion I:

Reflection on your research process and future improvements – how did you gather primary data? Reflection cannot be generalised .

‘How could my research be improved, if I had more time?’ , ‘What else could I do?’

14 Scotts Road Far East Plaza #06-02 Singapore 228213

Call/SMS/WhatsApp: (+65) 9711 6839

Operating Hours

Mondays | 12:00-21:00 Tuesdays-Thursdays | 13:00-22:00 Fridays | 13:00-21:30 Saturdays & Sundays | 8:30-18:00

Mindlab International

  • IB & IGCSE TUTORS
  • TESTIMONIALS
  • IGCSE EXAM PREP
  • ENTRANCE EXAM PREPARATION
  • Exam Guide & Tips – IGCSE Math
  • Exam Guide & Tips – IGCSE English
  • Exam Guide & Tips – IB Chemistry
  • Exam Guide & Tips – IB Biology
  • Exam Guide & Tips – IB Business Management
  • Exam Guide & Tips – IB Math AA
  • Exam Guide & Tips – IB Math AI
  • Exam Guide & Tips – IB Physics
  • IA Tips – IB Biology
  • IA Tips – IB Business Management
  • IA Tips – IB Chemistry
  • Subject Guide – IB English Language & Literature
  • TOK Essay Writing Tips
  • NEWS/READINGS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Cookie Policy (EU)

Tripartite Employment Standards

Mindlab-Fair Employment Practices

Mindlab International has adopted the Tripartite Standards, and has committed to be a fair and progressive employer.

© 2024 Mindlab International.

  • SAT PREP COURSE
  • NEWS / READINGS

Mindlab International

help for assessment

  • Customer Reviews
  • Extended Essays
  • IB Internal Assessment
  • Theory of Knowledge
  • Literature Review
  • Dissertations
  • Essay Writing
  • Research Writing
  • Assignment Help
  • Capstone Projects
  • College Application
  • Online Class

Business Management IA SL: Definition, Structure, Sources

Author Image

by  Antony W

June 8, 2024

sl business management ia

This guide covers IB business management IA at SL (Standard Level).

Learn what it is, the right structure to use, and sources selection. And in the last section, we look at how Business Management IA at Standard Level compares to the same subject at Higher Level.

What is IB SL Business Management IA? 

The business management IA at Standard Level is an assessment worth 25 points of the final grade.

For this assessment:

  • Choose a business-related question.
  • Identify 3 to 5 documents for data.
  • Use 3 or 4 course tools for analysis.  

Invest your time on a single business and its aspect, and ensure your assessment is no more than 1,500 words long.

What Are The Difference Between SL and HL Business Management IA?

The table below summarizes the difference between SL and HL business management:

How to Structure Your SL Business Management IA

Your document should feature a title page, contents page, acknowledgement, introduction, methodology, analysis and discussion, conclusion, work cited, and appendices.

The title page should have the following in the order in which they appear: 

  • Research Question
  • Intended Audience
  • Your IB Number

Contents Page

The contents page should have the following with their corresponding page numbers: 

Acknowledgement

Introduction, methodology.

  • Analysis and discussion

Acknowledgement shows your gratitude to teachers, students, and anyone else who helped you with your IA. The acknowledgement is short, but it’s not a part of the overall word count.

The introduction is where you set the scene for your internal assessment.

Write the company’s name and explain what it does. Follow this with the research question and then explain why it’s important to the company.

The introduction should not exceed 150 words.

For the methodology, show how you picked the 3 to 5 scholarly sources for your SL business management IA. Demonstrate you put enough time and thoughts in the process to bring out a clear range of perspectives.

  • Include the part of the course you’ll use to explore the business issue and explain the significance of chapters and tools to your research.
  • Explain the sources used, making sure you state how relevant they’re to the research question.
  • State the reliability of your data and the weaknesses your sources have.
  • Mention any of the changes you made (if you did) as you worked on your SL business management IA.

The suggested word count for the methodology section is 200 words.

Analysis and Discussion

Use at least 3 or 4 techniques to do your analysis and discussion. Link the tool in the order in which they appear in the analysis, so you can give a clear picture of how the tools relate to each other and their significance in answering the research question.

The conclusion of this section should include insights and themes that likely emerged from your overall analysis and discussion.

We suggest that this section be at most 900 words long.

The conclusion needs to be as comprehensive as the analysis. Your conclusion should be no more than 250 words long, containing only the most significant information overall.

Support your analysis by summarizing your best insights. As it is with an academic essay , the conclusion of your assessment shouldn’t introduce new arguments or facts you haven’t addressed in the analysis.  

Also, ensure the conclusion includes a clear answer to your research question.

The work cited section should include 3 to 5 of the sources used in your SL Business Management IA in MLA format.

You can use additional sources for minor information in your work and ensure you include them in this section as well.  

Include 3 to 4 supporting documents with their respective labels in the appendices section. Also, include the parts of the supporting documents as used in the analysis. Keep in mind that the appendices section doesn’t have a word limit.

How to Choose SL Business Management IA Sources

You have to choose 3 to 5 secondary sources for your report. Each source has to meet the following conditions:

  • Points of View: Each document should feature different perspectives as long as they’re relevant to the topic under investigation.
  • Currency: Each source must be no more than 3 years old. If you’re taking your fin al IB class in 2024, choose source written no later than 2021.
  • Source Variation: Use business articles, explore annual business reports, look at academic papers, read market research documents, and get information from credible news websites such as New York Times, CNN, and Chicago Tribune.
  • Analysis: Ensure each source fits your analysis tool. At least one of the sources should contain numbers, as this is important for financial analysis.

Can You Write My SL Business Management IA for Me?

We can write SL and HL business management IA for you if you hire our IB IA writers . We’ll assign your order to a business writer who understands the approaches taught in the IB diploma course. The writer will conduct research, develop a proper structure to organize the research in a logical flow, and then write the IA for you from scratch.

Help for Assessment charges $12.99 to $40 per page depending on the urgency of the paper. You can also save money with our up to 10% discount if you’re new to our platform.

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

ib biz globe blue (1).png

IA Research Questions

Sometimes thinking of the right question is the hardest  part, eh?

Student with Laptop

The importance of the research question

The most important part of the IA in Business Management is of course the research question.  It is important to first consult the IB guide for this course, but here are some of my own tips on how to settle on a good question. If you are a student, you’ll want to ask your teacher for the sections of the subject guide on the IA, and the annual subject report, if they have not already done so.  The subject published every year is a fantastic resource in which the IB team gives specific guidance on strengths and weaknesses that they tended to see in the last exam session’s IAs.  

Most of my students go through multiple rounds of consultation with me before they settle on a question that is viable.  If your question is problematic in any way, a student will likely end up wasting a lot of time and effort pursuing a path that is fruitless or must be significantly altered.  It is therefore much better to spend more time than you want nailing down a good question rather than having to fix it later.  

Should I do a backward-looking or forward-looking question?

The question can be forward-looking or backward-looking, as long as you remember for backward-looking questions that there is a three-year limit on sources and that the question needs to be evaluative and not simply report and/or analyze what happened.  A student may not use source material that is dated more than three years before their IA submission.  I personally often advise my students that writing a forward-looking IA question is usually easier, giving the question a binary either/or choice for the firm.  However, it is quite possible to do a backward-looking question, and many students evaluate something like how successfully a firm has been able to implement a choice, or to what extent it was the right decision.

Examples of good questions

Should Nintendo stop making Rated M games and focus on kid-friendly games?

Should Alphabet acquire a smart TV manufacturer?

How can Google best adapt their search engine to the emergence of AI chatbots?

To what extent should the Coca-Cola company change its bottling to be more sustainable? 

Should International Paper change its marketing mix to a more sustainable brand image in response to the growing eco-friendly movements?

To what extent should Ferrari produce more cars to increase profits?

Should the Walt Disney company continue to compete in the streaming service market with all of their current platforms?

Most of these questions narrow the firm’s options down to a clear set of options that can be addressed adequately within the word limit.

Types of questions

"Should" questions 

For most students, I often find that “should” questions end up being the easiest for the students to narrow down their focus into a scenario in which they can apply course tools, techniques, and theories.  It tends to lead to a simple binary choice of “yes or no,” or “Option A or Option B.”

"Can" questions 

This is similar to a “should” question in the sense that the answer is clearly going to be yes or no.  For example, “Can Exxon successfully increase revenues by adding electric car charging ports to its gas stations?”

"To what extent" questions 

Another option is to go with “to what extent.” For instance, to what extent is a product line, marketing campaign, strategy, or so on impacting the firm in a positive way (profitability, competitive advantage, productivity, etc.).   While the conclusion could be a bit more fuzzy than in a “should” question, it’s still pretty straightforward to conclude if the answer is to a limited, moderate, or great extent.

"How Effective" questions 

As long as this addresses an issue that is ongoing and not solely in the past, this can be a good way of evaluating the merits of a firm’s objectives, strategies, tactics, and so on.  For example, “How effective is Gold's Gym's use of social media promotional techniques?”  

What makes a BAD question?

There are many things that can lead to a bad research question, but here are a few things I commonly see in students’ first iteration of their questions: 

Considers too many aspects of the business functions

Is about the industry, not the firm

Requires info that you don’t have access to [for this reason, I highly recommend that students do a publicly traded company so that they can get access to financial info]

Has already been answered

Is very likely to be answered/irrelevant long before you submit your draft

Has an obvious answer

Examples of bad questions from prior students

"Should Nike cut back on advertisement/ marketing money and focus it on new tech products?"

This could work, but so often the student doesn't have a really good idea of what "tech products" they envision Nike getting into.  Nike is a company that mostly sells sporting goods and apparel.  What kind of tech products would they do?  Upon questioning, the student was unable to come up with concrete examples other than NFTs, and they were unable to explain Nike's potential creation of NFTs further.  Students need to have a clearer idea of what they're proposing.

"How did the transgender bathroom policy impact Target's profits?"

I doubt you’re going to be able to prove whether or not it had any impact on their profits; teasing out the cause and effect there is likely to be way too difficult, and you will not have firm data to point to in order to justify a conclusion. This essay will thus be highly speculative.  Also, the way the student has phrased this question, it’s entirely in the past and they're running the danger of writing a report on facts and ahve no true evaluation.  If the student wants to investigate whether this will have an ongoing or future impact on the business, then this should be rephrased.  

"What impact will the recent move of Wilson Sporting Goods' headquarters have on the mobility of jobs within the workforce of the company?"

This is a mouthful.  I’m not entirely sure what the student means by mobility of jobs within the workforce of the company, and the student clearly didn’t either when we chatted.

"How can Wendy's revamp the public's outlook on the service and attitude of the staff?"

Firstly, I generally advise against questions beginning with “how.”  Too often, there are far too many possibilities to explore, so a “how” question is too broad to be covered well within the word count limit. Secondly, the student is assuming that Wendy’s has a problem with the public perception of service and staff attitudes.  In this case, the student was never able to come up with reliable data showing that these were even problems to begin with. 

"Should Amazon invest in private label brands?"

They already are, so this question is irrelevant.

"Should Sony expand its electronics sales into new markets?"

Sony is a huge company, and I don't know what market they could potentially get into that they're not currently in.  Also, does the student mean geographic markets, new product markets, etc?  The student was never really able to answer these questions for me.

"What new features can Spotify add to better compete with Apple Music?"

Maybe this could work if it were more specific, but the student wasn't really able to clearly lay out what options he had in mind.  Consequently, without narrowing it down to specific features or at least types of features, the question was too broad and wasted a lot of the student's time before he switch

How do I integrate a key concept?

The important thing is that you are constantly bringing the IA commentary back to your key concept so that it truly revolves around the concept, rather than it being an add-on that doesn't really work together with the rest of the commentary. 

Consider doing the following: 

- Define the key concept in the intro or first body paragraph

- Consider the key concept both from an internal lens, under the firm's control, and an external lens, happening or likely to happen in the market/industry/society around them.

- Think of your IA concept in multiple different ways (see concept charts below). This is particularly important with sustainability, which includes social, financial, and environmental sustainability

- Ask yourself, "Are there areas in which I have  implied  a link to the concept but have not analyzed it directly?"

- Use this chart to describe possible connections between your key concept and the syllabus BEFORE you write your IA. 

Change Creativity Sustainability Ethics

Clastify logo

46070_MyIBTutor_logo_BJ-01.png

The EXACT Structure you need for a 7 in your Business Management IA

Updated: Feb 28, 2023

research proposal business ia

The Business Management IA assesses students' ability to analyze businesses, use business tools, and collect data. However, due to the vague criteria for the IA, many students find it highly challenging. It shocking the number of students that perform poorly in the IA. But we are here to change that!

In this blog, I will outline the IA structure that has been used time and time again by our tutors to achieve high marks in the Business IA. Following this guide as strictly as possible and I am certain you will get a 7.

Before we dive into the IA's structure, let's briefly discuss the IA in general.

Business IA General Overview

For HL students, the IA accounts for 25% of their final grade, making it the most crucial assessment piece.

The primary distinction between the HL and SL IA is that HL students need to analyze a forward-thinking business decision, whereas SL students need to write a commentary on a business's operations.

Most importantly, the HL IA heavily relies on primary data, while SL students have the option to solely collect secondary data. Let's examine examples of SL and HL research questions to further illustrate this distinction.

SL Research Question:

How have Google's changes in organizational structure and leadership style affected its corporate culture, employee productivity, and efficiency?

Please note that SL students can choose large businesses since primary market research is not a priority.

HL Research Question:

Should TNN invest in a laser cutter to decrease costs and gain control over operations in an attempt to increase revenue and overall profitability?

Note that "TNN" is not a massive Fortune 500 company, so it is possible to collect valuable primary data. Additionally, the question is forward-facing, meaning the IA will evaluate the pros and cons of a potential business decision.

The Business IA consists of two separate reports. The first report is the "Research Proposal," where students justify and plan their research. The second document is the actual IA, where students analyze all the data and evaluate their business decision.

How to structure a Level 7 business IA

Research Proposal (Total 500 Words)

The research proposal is the precursor to the IA and should be written in the future tense as the primary research has yet to be conducted.

Research Proposal Title Page

State your Research Questions

The session number, e.g., Nov22

Research Question

The research question is one of the most important parts of your IA; therefore, it is worthwhile to write a good one from the start. Here are a few points to refine your research questions:

Always state the name of the business in the form of an abbreviation.

Always include a list of criteria that you will use to evaluate the business decision.

For example, in the following research question:

“Should TNN invest in a laser cutter to decrease costs and gain control over operations, in an attempt to increase revenue and overall profitability?”

The criteria that will be evaluated are the revenue and profitability increase of this plan.

Other aspects you should avoid are:

Making an IA that is heavily dependent on the industry rather than the company

Being too broad with your research questions

IAs that require information you do not have access to

Choosing to focus on an IA that is not prevalent in the IB syllabus

2. Rationale (~150 Words)

Give a summary of the business

What type of business is it? Private limited? Un-incorporated?

What are its main operations?

What are its values and mission?

What is your justification for choosing this business?

Outline the problem that the business is facing.

What is the potential solution that is looking to be implemented? Why has this not been implemented in the past?

3. Theoretical Framework

Make a table and list the topics that will be covered in your IA.

Make a justification column explaining why this topic is needed in your IA.

TIP: Be selective with the tools that you are using. Using too many means that you will spread your word count too thin and not be able to do in-depth analysis.

4. Methodology

Include all the sources of primary and secondary data, along with why you have included them.

Use multiple sources of primary data. This will help you in Criteria B.

TIP: Include as many primary sources as possible, even if you are only going to refer to them once.

5. Anticipated Difficulties

Talk about difficulties that are industry and business-specific along with potential solutions.

Avoid mentioning obvious problems and those that are within your control.

Eg: “It will be hard to arrange a meeting with the CEO.” This is not a good difficulty as you can rearrange to a more convenient time.

6. Action Plan

Use a Gantt Chart to show the dates of each task.

Create the base model in excel.

Always include modifications as it shows that you actually used the graph.

TIP: For this page only, change the layout to landscape. This is the only way to fit the whole chart on one page.

Business Written Report (Total word count: 2000)

The written report is the main component of your IA. It should be written in the past tense since you have already conducted your research and analysis. As there is no page limit for business IAs, I highly recommend double spacing. This will increase the legibility of your IA.

1. Title Page

Include research questions, session number, executive summary word count, and the main IA word count.

The page number should restart from 1 on this page.

2. Acknowledgment

Write a relatively short paragraph expressing your gratitude. This is not needed in the IA and does not count in the word count.

3. Table of Contents

The table of contents should only include the major headings, i.e., all the numbered points in this list.

The table of contents must start with the executive summary at the top. TIP: It is easier if you complete this page as one of the last parts of your IA.

4. Executive Summary (200 words, excluded from your report's word count)

TIP: This section provides an extremely condensed version of your IA, and the key is to use a high concentration of business terminology. Read through a business paper 1 case-study to get an idea of the level of detail expected.

TIP: Leave this section until last, after finishing your entire IA.

TIP: Divide the summary into three short paragraphs:

Quickly summarize the business and the issue that has arisen.

Briefly state all primary and secondary data that was used, as well as any other business tools employed for analysis.

Briefly summarize the conclusion and main recommendations. Also, mention a brief line about the assumptions and limitations of your findings.

5. Introduction (~150 Words)

TIP: The introduction is very similar to the rationale. It's not a bad idea to rewrite your rationale.

Include the company name and abbreviation.

State and explain the company’s operations.

Outline current strategic goals.

Explain the problem the business is facing and propose a potential solution.

Describe what prevented the company from implementing this solution in the past.

At the end, include your research question and justify how you reached it.

6. Methodology (~150 Words)

TIP: This section is dedicated to giving a brief outline of the research and data you have collected.

State the primary and secondary sources you used, e.g., “Interview with the owner, survey with customers, and observations at competitors.”

Make sure to emphasize the wide range of primary data you are using.

Discuss all the business tools you will be using and briefly justify why you are using them.

Mention any changes that you made to the method throughout the IA.

7. Limitations (~100 Words)

The limitation is aimed to discuss how valid your data is.

Include 2 or 3 points that may affect the reliability of your data. Some examples are:

Subjectivity in qualitative business analysis.

Financial data during times of a recession/boom may not be representative of regular business activity.

Customers of the workplace may be intentionally biased.

8. Main Results and Findings (~300 Words)

In this section, you will state all the data you have collected. Summarize all the qualitative data and calculate all the quantitative data.

Include a brief summary of the interview, with footnotes referring to the answers you are summarizing.

Include 2 or 3 graphs of the survey that you conducted. Only include necessary graphs in the main body of the document. Place all other graphs in the appendix and refer to them through footnotes.

Include all investment appraisal and financial ratio calculations. It is good practice to write the equation for all calculations that you do. In addition, all the financial information needs to be cited using footnotes.

Tip: If you are calculating ARR, I highly recommend using the table method. This is the most visually clear way of presenting calculations, especially if you are dealing with variable annual cash flow.

The main point to keep in mind is that all data, whether financial, quantitative, or qualitative, needs to be cited in the appendix using footnotes.

9. Analysis and Discussion (~1100 Words)

TIP: This criterion accounts for the largest number of marks, so spend the most amount of time dedicated to analyzing and evaluating. Here, analyze the data using business theory and assess if it supports or opposes the proposed research question's change. Analyze all the implications of the data in a sequential and coherent manner. For every different tool and primary research method that is used, you should dedicate a separate analysis section to it.

This section is where many students struggle, so here is a potential structure you can use:

Apply the theory and terminology from the business textbook when analyzing data.

Ensure that all analysis points are linked to the impact on internal and external stakeholders. For the main analysis section, it is recommended to use the 'snowball method', which is used in the mark schemes of business paper 1s. This method will be outlined below.

Conclude each section with a brief analysis of whether the tool supports or opposes the business decision, taking into consideration whether it is for the short or long term.

Add a section at the end of every tool where you discuss the limitations of the tool. For instance, for the Lewin's force field analysis, the ranking for the driving and restricting factors is subjective; this bias needs to be accounted for through the use of quantitative tools.

Always analyze the qualitative tools first then the quantitative tools as the qualitative data provides context to the reader.

10. Conclusion (~100 Words)

In the conclusion, you need to combine all the mini-conclusions together and evaluate if the short-term disadvantages out weight the long-term advantages or vice-versa.

State all the tools that are in support of the business decision and all the tools that are against it. long-term. Imagine a table

Note: Do not include a table. You must explain the same concept in written form

As seen above, most tools support the decision, while some are against it. You must discuss and justify why the change must be implemented despite the disapproving interview and investment appraisal results. This process of weighing up the pros and cons will favorable for the evaluation and critical thinking criteria. ii. Discuss the limitations of your research; components that may have prevented you from reaching an established conclusion

11. Recommendation (~100 Words)

Limit your recommendations to three to ensure that you provide sufficient detail within the word count limits. Furthermore, ensure that your recommendations are coherent with your conclusion.

Provide recommendations for short-term actions (0-1 years) that the business can take to achieve quick results. These could range from contacting suppliers to making new investments.

Provide recommendations for long-term objectives (2-5 years). What can the business do to continue growing and profiting?

Include at least one recommendation for gathering additional information and conducting research. This additional research should be aligned with the limitations outlined earlier in the IA.

12. Bibliography

Alphabetize your sources

The format of the bibliography and citation is not relevant; however, it needs to be consistent throughout the IA.

13. Appendix

Include all primary data sources

Include all graphs and scripts of interviews

All financial data collected directly from the company also needs to be here.

As you write your IA, I highly encourage you to keep this blog open and add the following sections as you go. It is essential to include all these points, especially if you are aiming for a 7.

How to Analyze and Evaluate like a Level 7 Business Student (The Snowball Method)

The snowball method for analysis is something I came up with while I was in grade 12. It consistently allowed me to score in the high 80s in my business papers 1s and 2s. If you read any business paper 2 example answer, you will not find detailed and isolated discussions regarding single topics such as cash flow. Instead, you will find fluid analysis created by a chain of implications.

By a chain of implications, I mean constantly asking yourself the question: "So what? What is impacted by this change? Who will be affected? Why does it matter?" These are all important questions that you need to address in your analysis. The best way to do this is to continuously ask "so what" over and over again, hence why it is called the snowball method. Let's go over an example:

Imagine you are the owner of a school that lacks well-trained teachers. As a result, customer satisfaction has been low. The proposed solution is to increase the training of the teachers.

A low-level and one-dimensional analysis would be:

"Increasing teacher training would improve service quality, hence would improve customer satisfaction."

This analysis lacks sophistication and has a poor spread of business terminology. A high-quality analysis would discuss additional content, which continuously flows. See the example below.

“Implementing teacher training will result in more skilled teachers who are more motivated as suggested by the mastery component of Daniel Pink's theory of motivation. This change will likely have a positive impact on the school's corporate culture and reduce the school's labor turnover . Additionally, having specialized and highly skilled teachers will make it easier for the school to implement on-the-job training in the future, reducing training costs in the long term.”

The analysis represented as a continuous chain:

Implementing teacher training → more skilled teachers → increased motivation (Daniel Pink) → improved corporate culture → low labor turnover → teachers stay for longer at the school, gaining more experience and becoming more specialized → easier to implement on-the-job training → reducing training costs over the long term

As you can see, the second analysis discusses far more implications of the business decision and includes a high density of business terminology. This is the type of analysis you should be looking to replicate. Try to create a chain of events, showing where each business decision leads and how the effects trickle down to stakeholders.

I would highly encourage you to attempt to discuss as many business concepts as possible, at least those that are relevant to the IA. As a general guide, regardless of your proposed change, you must, to some extent, discuss the impact it will have on HR, operations, marketing, and finance.

Another important tip is to add variety to your analysis. Avoid having "an increase in profitability" as the outcome of all your analysis. This will be seen as one-dimensional by the IB markers, and you will be penalized in the analysis and evaluation criteria. Instead, try to discuss the impact your business decision will have on cash flow, revenue, working capital, working capital cycle, fixed and variable costs, short-term and long-term capital expenses, and more. The list goes on. Many low-performing business IAs tend to be hyper-focused on profit. Make your analysis multi-dimensional and discuss other components as well.

How to Layout a Level 7 Business IA

Unlike other IAs, the Business IA is lengthy. Therefore, it is crucial to have a good layout. Moreover, the layout accounts for 4 marks in the IA criteria, which could be the difference between a 7 and a 6.

I highly recommend using footnotes as a citation method. This will not only save you words, but it will also allow you to easily reference all your primary data.

Important note: In your IA, whenever you refer to primary data, it must be cited using footnotes. This includes all financial data used for investment appraisal and driving and restraining forces for Lewin's force field diagrams.

Be specific with your appendix references, particularly for the interview. Do not ambiguously state (Appendix 1: interview), instead say something like (Appendix 1: Interview with the owner - question 7). This layout can be seen in the image below.

Example of a Lewins Force Field Analysis showing how to used footnotes to in business  management

2. Double-space your IA. This will help with legibility in your IA.

Make sure to have clean headings with few aesthetic features.

Font size should be 12 or 13 Arial, making sure it is consistent throughout the IA.

Make sure to bold and italicize important concepts that you want the marker to pay attention to.

3. Always caption your diagrams and include table headings. These headings should not be vague and should be as detailed as possible.

Although the business IA is confronting, if done right, it can be one of the most intellectually challenging and fun experiences of your IB journey. As a past IB student who scored 80% overall in their finals, I can confidently say that if you include all these components in your IA, you will perform very well.

There is only so much advice I can provide you over a blog. For personalized feedback on your IA, sign up for our IA feedback service.

Best of luck!

Related Posts

Key Concept in Economics IA

Avoid These Overused TOK Essay Examples

Deconstructing a 10/10 TOK Essay from Introduction to Conclusion

Comentários

IBlieve

[Outdated] IB Business Management HL Explained: Internal Assessment (IA)

Elena Alimin

DISCLAIMER : This article may contain outdated information or information that is no longer reflective of the current curriculum. Please check with your instructors or IBO resources before referring to content found here. We are working hard to supply you with an updated article on this topic!

This is an overview of my Business Management HL IA, alongside tips to score well. I received 24/25 from my teacher, and received a moderated mark of 20/25, both 7!

I chose a public limited insurance company (Company X) as my firm. It was dealing with cash flow concerns. My question was: “Should Company X improve their cash flow by strengthening its co-insurance system?”

For Business Management HL IAs, a key component is access to primary data. Therefore, it is best to choose a firm that you have easy access to, in case you need to request company data and interviews. In contrast, Business Management SL IAs primarily use secondary data—which is generally available online—to evaluate firms with an online presence.

Research Proposal

As the first part of the IA isn’t included in the overall word count, the research proposal mainly acts as the planning document for your actual IA. In my proposal, I included:

  • Rationale – explaining a brief overview of the firm and why I chose to analyse it
  • Key Areas of Syllabus – Finance & Accounts and Operations Management
  • Tools – SWOT Analysis, FFA, Profit & Loss Account
  • Sources of Data – Primary, Secondary
  • Anticipated Difficulties + Potential Solutions
  • Action Plan – detailing the action, the date, and a modification column to show changes or additional notes
  • Gantt Chart – visualizing my action plan

Executive Summary (200 words)

Outline the problem that the firm is facing and introduce the primary aim of the investigation by contextualizing the research question. I summarized the findings from the investigation. This includes the use of primary and secondary resources, the key areas of improvement for the firm, the brief overview of the solutions, and the benefits that the firm may reap by implementing these resources. 

Introduction

More detailed overview of Company X (the products they sell, the industry it operates in, and their competitors), followed by their strategic and tactical objectives. As my research question included the term “co-insurance”, which may be unfamiliar, I also explained the definition of the term and its application within the context of the investigation. 

Main Issue in my IA: Company X’s recent implementation of the co-insurance system created several cash flow problems rising from systemic complications. The main focus of the research was to analyse the complications that Company X is facing as the lead insurer in terms of financial and operational aspects.

Methodology

I included a short paragraph outlining the data collection process, which entails:

  • Primary Research – Interviews with Firm Employees (inquiring about qualitative reports and expert evaluations), Focus Group Research, Surveys
  • Secondary Research – Evaluating competitor’s positions through articles, regional business context, evaluating the firm’s financial reports, etc.
  • Briefly reiterating the key areas of syllabus covered (Finance & Accounts/Operations Management)

Main results and findings

Primary research : Summarizing the interview findings, referring to interview transcripts that I inserted in the appendix.

Secondary research : Summarizing findings through research towards main competitors, as well as evaluation of the firm’s financial reports.

Analysis and Discussion

  • SWOT Analysis – Analyses the strengths and weaknesses (internal factors) of the firm’s current standing, as well as the potential opportunities and threats (external factors) that the firm may face.
  • Force Field Analysis – Created a diagram to evaluate the driving forces (forces for change) and restraining forces (forces against change) in the context of implementing the solution proposed in the research question.
  • Profit & Loss Account (for 2017 and 2018 data) – Evaluating the financial standing of the firm to remark on the firm’s suitability in implementing the changes, commenting on the changes in the firm’s financial profits.

TIP : There are various other tools you can use to assist your analysis, including Fishbone (Ishikawa) Diagram, Decision Trees, etc. In my IA, I used a mix of qualitative and quantitative tools to analyse my chosen firm on both an operational and financial standpoint.

Here, I reiterated the focus of the research as well as the methodology used (primary/secondary resources, tools). I also summarized the overall findings from the research I conducted, as well as the final recommendation for the firm in response to the initial research question. For instance, I concluded that “Company X is encouraged to implement the change in the co-insurance system to deal with the cash flow disruption they are experiencing.”

Here, I wrote down the solutions obtained from the analysis of the firm’s situation. For instance, I suggested that:

  • Company X should improve the terms set in their co-insurance contracts, as they have stable financial standing. 
  • Company X should implement the concept of kaizen (a Japanese process of efficiency gains that promotes small and continuous improvements).
  • Constructing a detailed cash flow forecast would enable Company X to identify the sources of inflow/outflow that may need to be further scrutinised for improvement.
  • Company X should implement further quality assurance to increase competitive advantage.

TIP : To strengthen your propositions, justify the solutions by referring back to your analysis and mentioning the potential gains your firm will reap by implementing such a change.

Bibliography

  • A useful guide to MLA Citations
  • A useful resource for creating citations: Cite Fast , EasyBib, Citation Machine
  • Include all relevant excerpts of company data, articles, book resources, survey samples and interview transcripts.

The IB subject guide to Business Management (last assessments 2022) is here .

Find Nikki’s overview on Business Management HL for IBlieve here .

Share this:

This is so helpful especially since I am in the midst of getting my data!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Discover more from iblieve.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

COMMENTS

  1. The Business Management IA Structure (May 2024 Onward)

    This Business IA structure is up-to-date for the new version of the IB Business Management course and it will show you, step-by-step, exactly what to write (and how) to write a high-scoring (Level 7) Business IA. ... (No research proposal or executive summary are needed). Analysis (The Main Body) - Approximately 1350 words.

  2. How to Structure an HL Business Management Internal Assessment

    Here is a layout you can follow for your HL Business Management IA, for November 2023 or earlier. (If you're looking for the SL Business IA structure, for November 2023 or earlier, that one is right here). The Proposal and the IA should be included in a single document, using double-spaced Arial, sized 12 font.

  3. IB Business and Management IA examples

    IA Business and Management HL 5. New Syllabus. High scoring IB Business and Management Internal Assessment examples. See what past students did and make your Business and Management IA perfect by learning from examiner commented examples!

  4. IB Business IA

    The word limit for the IB Business SL IA is 1500, with the number of words noted on the first page. Regarding IB Business HL IA, the Research Proposal should be 500 words, while the word limit for the Written Report is 2000 words. Remember, do not beat around the bush. A single paragraph of irrelevant or extra data will completely digress the ...

  5. IB Business Management IA: The Complete Guide (2023)

    You can use secondary research to support your work. It is important that the title of your project be in the form of a question. You will need divide your work into two sections: a Research Proposal and a Written Report. As for the word count, your IB Business IA HL proposal should be no more than 500 words and the report must not exceed 2,000 ...

  6. IB Business Management IA HL: 60 Examples and Guidance

    The maximum length of the research proposal is 500 words. The word count must be stated on the submitted work. If the word limit is exceeded, the teacher's assessment must be based on the first 500 words of the proposal. This should comprise: The research question; Proposed methodology, including: Rationale for study; Areas of the syllabus to ...

  7. IB Business Management IA HL Structure: A Simple Guide

    Structure for the Research Proposal. First off, the research proposal elements for your IB Business Management IA at Higher Level should be no more than 500 words long. Also, you must write this section in future tense. The research proposal section of this assignment should include the following in the order in which they appear:

  8. How to Write a Strong IB IA Proposal?

    Writing a strong IB IA proposal is a key step in your IB journey. By understanding the assessment criteria, choosing the right topic, crafting a straightforward research question, conducting thorough background research, outlining your proposal, and seeking feedback, you'll be well-equipped to create a compelling and well-structured IA ...

  9. IB Business IA Tips

    Business tools, theories and concepts should be used to analyse and evaluate, leading to recommendations that will help address the research question. This report must be of practical use to management. HL IA must start with a 500-words Research Proposal & Action Plan that serves planning purposes.

  10. Business Management IA SL: Definition, Structure, Sources

    Business Management SL: Business Management HL: 1. Length: The IA should be no more than 1,500 words long. The IA should be 2,200 words long. 2. Research Proposal: It should not include a research proposal. It should include a research proposal. 3: Sources: Have 3 to 5 main sources. You can have as many sources as you want, but choose them ...

  11. How to Structure an SL Business Management Internal Assessment

    Introduction (approx. 150 words) The IB says they want the introduction to "set the scene". State the company name and clearly explain what the company does. State and briefly explain your research question. Explain why this topic (your research question) is important for the company to understand.

  12. IA

    The importance of the research question. The most important part of the IA in Business Management is of course the research question. It is important to first consult the IB guide for this course, but here are some of my own tips on how to settle on a good question. If you are a student, you'll want to ask your teacher for the sections of the ...

  13. IB Business and Management IA example: Research proposal ...

    IA. Business and Management - HL ... Research proposal: Should Tela build HFW pipelines across the country to increase their market share? ... Criterion A: Research question contains the scope, issue and business concept analyzed. Comment: The research question is specific, clearly states the business analyzed and the business concept, which is ...

  14. PDF Research Proposal & Action Plan

    Due: September 10th. You will need to turn in the highlighted items listed below: • Company interview - Select a company to be the subject of your internal assessment; conduct an interview with appropriate personnel to complete the first two sections of your IA. Turn in summary of your interview. • Research Proposal & Action Plan ...

  15. IB Business Management Guide and Structure

    The Business IA consists of two separate reports. The first report is the "Research Proposal," where students justify and plan their research. The second document is the actual IA, where students analyze all the data and evaluate their business decision.

  16. PDF IB Business Management Higher Level Internal Assessment

    The research proposal will not factor into any other marking considerations (B-I). Criterion A: Research proposal This criterion assesses the extent to which the student presents a research proposal that gives an effective direction for the project, with all the requ ired elements. Marks: 3 The research proposal with all the required elements ...

  17. PDF The Research Proposal Marks on offer

    21/4/13 Submit Draft Research Proposal 27/5/13 Submit Research Proposal 15/5/13 - 1/7/13 Write First Draft of Report 1/7/13 Submit First Draft Submitted 8/7 8/7/13 - 30/8/13 Refine Draft Deletions (over word limit) 30/8/13 Submit Final Report Word count: 499 Checklist: The date is the timeline The date and task

  18. [Outdated] IB Business Management HL Explained: Internal Assessment (IA

    In contrast, Business Management SL IAs primarily use secondary data—which is generally available online—to evaluate firms with an online presence. Research Proposal. As the first part of the IA isn't included in the overall word count, the research proposal mainly acts as the planning document for your actual IA. In my proposal, I included: