research proposal ib business

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!

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.

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How to Write a Strong IB IA Proposal?

Welcome to the exciting world of IB IA proposals! You will encounter various IA requirements, and one of the most important steps is crafting a strong IA proposal. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process, providing valuable tips and insights to help you excel in your IB proposal writing process.

Understanding the IB IA Criteria

Before diving into the proposal writing process, it’s essential to understand the IB assessment criteria for IA proposals. These criteria outline the IB’s expectations and standards, ensuring that your proposal meets the required guidelines. By familiarizing yourself with the criteria, you’ll be better equipped to showcase your skills and knowledge. The criteria typically assess aspects such as research question formulation, use of appropriate methodology, analysis and interpretation of data, and communication of findings.

Choosing the Right IA Topic

Selecting the right IA topic is crucial to your success. You want a topic that aligns with your interests and allows for in-depth exploration and analysis. Whether you’re pursuing Math, Chemistry, Biology, History, English Language and Literature, Physics, Visual Arts, Economics, Psychology, or Computer Science, consider the subject-specific requirements and identify areas that ignite your curiosity. Consult with your subject teacher to ensure your chosen topic meets the criteria and is suitable for an IA proposal.

Crafting a Clear Research Question

A well-defined research question forms the foundation of your IA proposal. It should be specific, focused, and aligned with your chosen subject area. Take the time to brainstorm ideas, consult with your teachers, and narrow down your research question to ensure it’s manageable and compelling. Consider the feasibility of your research question, the availability of resources, and the scope of the IA project. A clear research question will provide a solid direction for your proposal and enable you to conduct a thorough investigation.

Conducting Background Research for IB IA Proposal

Once you have your research question, it’s time to delve into the background research. Gather relevant information from reputable sources, such as academic journals, books, and online databases. Remember to evaluate the credibility and reliability of each source to ensure the accuracy and validity of your research. Take notes, highlight key findings, and identify gaps in the existing literature that your IA proposal can address. The background research will provide the context for your research question and help you develop a well-informed proposal.

Outlining the IB IA Proposal

An effective IA proposal has a clear and logical structure. Begin by introducing your research question and providing context for its significance. Explain why your research question is relevant and how it contributes to the field. Then, outline your proposed methodology, including data collection methods and analysis techniques. Additionally, highlight any ethical considerations or limitations you anticipate. A well-structured outline will serve as a roadmap for your IA proposal, ensuring you cover all the necessary components and maintain a coherent flow of ideas.

Writing the IA Proposal

With your outline, it’s time to bring your IA proposal to life. Write clearly and concisely, using language appropriate for your subject area. Emphasize the research question throughout the proposal, showcasing its importance and relevance. Support your ideas with evidence and examples, demonstrating your understanding and critical thinking skills. Clearly describe your proposed methodology, explaining how you will collect and analyze data to answer your research question. Pay attention to the organization and coherence of your writing, ensuring that each section flows smoothly into the next. Use appropriate academic language and terminology to convey your ideas effectively.

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Reviewing and Refining the IB Proposal

Proofreading and editing are essential to polish your IA proposal. Read your proposal carefully, checking for grammatical errors, clarity, and coherence. Seek feedback from your teachers or peers to gain valuable insights and identify areas for improvement. Make revisions to strengthen your argument, enhance the clarity of your writing, and ensure that your proposal aligns with the IB IA criteria. Pay attention to your proposal’s structure, coherence, and flow, making necessary adjustments to improve its overall effectiveness.

Seeking Guidance and Feedback for IB Proposal

Feel free to seek guidance and feedback from your subject teacher or supervisor. They can provide valuable insights, suggestions, and recommendations to refine your IA proposal further. Discuss your research question, methodology, and findings with them to ensure you’re on the right track. Incorporate their feedback into your proposal to strengthen your argument and address any areas of concern.

Meeting Deadlines and Time Management for IB IA proposal

Effective time management is crucial when writing an IA proposal. Break the tasks into manageable chunks, create a timeline, and set deadlines for each process stage. Allocate sufficient time for research, outlining, writing, revising, and editing. Avoid procrastination and prioritize your IA proposal to ensure that you meet the submission deadline without compromising the quality of your work.

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 proposal. You can always find help at IBWritingService.com for writing any IB assignment. Remember to manage your time effectively, seek guidance when needed, and stay focused on meeting the requirements and expectations set by the IB. With dedication and perseverance, you’ll excel in your IA and succeed in your IB studies.

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• ibwritingservice https://ibwritingservice.com/blog/author/ibwritingservice/ How to Manage Time Effectively as an IB Student ⏳
• ibwritingservice https://ibwritingservice.com/blog/author/ibwritingservice/ Top 10 Tips for Excelling in IB Exams
• ibwritingservice https://ibwritingservice.com/blog/author/ibwritingservice/ What to Do if You Don't Pass Your IB IA? How to Succeed Next Time?
• ibwritingservice https://ibwritingservice.com/blog/author/ibwritingservice/ Mastering the IB Math IA Deadline for 2023

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internal assessment

Introduction.

For the IB Business Management Internal Assessment , you will apply business management tools, techniques and theories to a real business issue or problem and write a research paper that refers to a single business organization, but considers industry wide issues that impact the organization.

October 7                   Preliminary interview with local business

October 21                  Research question due

November 4               Rough draft Research Proposal due

November 11             Proposed business tools/data collection

December 17             Rough draft Written Report due

January 21                  Final Draft due

Getting Started

Sample letter to local business initial business interview ia template: business management sample research questions, research proposal, the research proposal follows the title page and is a separate document from the written report and should not exceed 500 words. it consists of the following components., research question  , how this research question relates to current company priorities or challenges..

This is not why you are interested in this topic, but rather why the company has an interest in this question. For example, the company is currently focused on improving the quality of their products and your IA (and you show us this using a source) is related to increasing quality. This shows that your work is actually valuable. 

Theoretical Framework

Course sections (i.e. chapters), with specific tools listed and an explanation of how each will help you answer the rq., methodology, the sources of primary and secondary information you will pursue, citing specific names of people you will interview (and why), as well as specific information you will focus on finding., include more than one source of primary data. if you can't do two interviews, you'll likely want to do something like a survey or an observation., anticipated difficulties, explain some possible problems you will likely face, the reasons for these difficulties and how you plan to deal with them., try to go beyond the obvious ones, such as bias and access to information., tell why some of the information you need could be hard to get or unreliable., action plan, include dates and also a section where you show modifications you've made, as you completed your work., this shows that you actually used your action plan during your ia. also, at least one of these modifications should show that you actually learned something (or realized something related to business) and that's why you made the change., this again shows that you were growing as a result of your work --which starts to build the case for criterion i (reflective thinking)., sample research proposal, written report, the written report is the second part of your ia. it follows the research proposal and must use the required format below. title page includes research question, intended audience, ib number, session,  proposal word count, ia word count.   research proposal (with word count)   acknowledgements should recognize any individual and/or organization that made the report possible. customary, but not required.   contents page include information about (and page numbers for): your proposal, all parts of your ia, your appendices.   executive summary from this point onward everything should be written in the past tense. for example, "first the owner was contacted to discuss possible areas of concern..." also, include page numbers. give a very quick (i.e. 1 or 2 sentence) background of the type of company and its situation, give the research question, state the tools used, explain major primary and secondary sources used, explain your major findings, mention a limitation of the findings.   introduction state the company name and explain what the company does (make sure this is really clear), explain one of their current strategic priorities, explain what you are going to research (your rq), explain the sections of the course which are involved, the word count for this section. methodology employed more detail about your procedure --what kinds of primary and secondary sources you used to explore your rq. explain some of the sources of information you used (i.e. 'an interview with x and y and a survey of z'). make it clear you had more than one source of primary data. (very briefly) the benefit of using these sources. the business techniques and tools you used, and (very briefly) the purpose of your business tools. explain how valid and reliable your data collection was. for example, how there may have been room for bias or a limited scope to your research. explain how valid your methods of gathering data were. mention any changes made to your ia approach as the work progressed. there should be several. main results and findings include: a graph of some kind is recommended, a summary of your research, perhaps as a list of a few of the key facts uncovered and their primary or secondary sources. analysis and discussion this is where you j.a.m. for each tool (3 or 4 of them) include: a clear justification of the use of the theory (how it will help answer the rq), make sure you are using the jam structure and that as much of your information as possible is coming through the tools (rather than in paragraph form). the analysis (i.e. swot, etc.), and then the mini-conclusion (linking the findings of the tool to the rq). use at least one financial tool, but this should come after your qualitative tools. in general, qualitative tools (such as swot and pest) come before the quantitative ones (like ratio analysis and decision trees), because the qualitative tools set the scene and provide context for the financials.   conclusion and recommendations pull your mini-conclusions together (synthesize them), make some interesting insights based on them (i.e. pros and cons, short-term vs long-term effects, possible stakeholder conflicts). emphasize everything you've discovered and how it all fits together to answer your rq. include: at least 3 recommendations, at least one additional type of research (or another question to research in the future) which would help ensure the reliability of your findings. to get full marks for your recommendations section (2/2) you need to do this. (a student needs to have identified "areas for further study" for full marks here). make sure everything you write here is supported by your conclusion. the recommendations also don't include any new information.   references and bibliography - at least 2 books (one of these can be the textbook), - at least 2 interviews. if you can only do one interview, then you'll      definitely need another source of primary research --a survey, observation data, focus group data, etc.), - at least 4 internet sources, - at least one source which shows your willingness to go beyond the minimum requirements (i.e. a trade journal, an advanced academic paper, an interview with a competitor).   appendices includes only relevant information that supports or emphasizes what is discussed in the report: transcripts from your interviews, additional analysis you did which didn’t fit in the body of your ia, questionnaire results, details of the calculations you did for your financial tool, any other interesting data which you would like to refer to in the body of your work., business tools/data collection, checklist/rubric, hl ia rubric, ia student checklist, ia examples, hl ia sample a       ( 24 /25 marks) hl ia sample b       ( 21 /25 marks) hl ia sample c       ( 19 /25 marks) hl ia sample d       ( 16 /25 marks).

IB Business Management IA HL: 60 Examples and Guidance

Learn everything there is to know about the Business Management HL IA, including example investigation ideas, the assessment criteria and necessary components.

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.

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.

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. What factors have contributed to Tesla's rapid growth in the electric vehicle market?

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. How effective was the merger between Disney and 21st Century Fox?

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.

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 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 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!

Professional tutor and Cambridge University researcher

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.

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• Research proposal presentations
• Old course (N23)

Lesson idea - Getting students to present their RP and AP“Don"t count the days, make the days count.” - Muhammad Ali, American professional boxer (1942 - 2016)Get students to present their research proposal and action plan to the rest of the class. This gives them the opportunity to:An example of a PowerPoint presentation is provided here for illustrative purposes:

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Guide to the Higher Level IA

Step 1: choosing the title.

You must f ind a current problem/decision facing a real business and produce a business report with a conclusion and recommendations , please remember that this IA project is not going to be written by your supervisor. It's written by you, therefore YOU must pick a subject/question that engages you and the content must be something that is realistically available to you.

Often, students will stress themselves trying to think of the best title, it is important to get the title right because if done right, the paper can write itself. Done wrong, the title can be an anchor and a drag on the entire assessment.

Please note, that although these sample titles do not use the real company name, it is better if you include the name of the business in your IA unless the organisation has specifically requested confidentiality .

Where should Company XYZ open new branches in (a foreign location, a different city/province)?

Should Company XYZ hire an expatriate or a local manager?

What kind of motivation theories can be employed at Company XYZ?

What sources of finance should Company XYZ utilize for expansion?

Should Company XYZ relocate their headquarters or expand their current location and premises?

How can Company XYZ reduce their labour turnover?

Keep it mind that:

Your decision has to involve a real business

You are expected to carry out primary research from the organisation and will require a letter from the business to confirm that they have received your report

You may need to convince the business of the confidentiality of your research. This is assured – only three people will see the data – you, your supervisor and the business itself. A letter of confidentiality is available on request.

Even so, many businesses do not give out accounts and other sensitive documents – be prepared for this.

Your decision/problem has to be current – you cannot take a decision that has already been made by the company and write a report in retrospect.

Your decision has to be answered by you – based on a variety of data that you have collected and business tools that you have applied

Your decision has to be answerable within 2,000 words – don’t choose a ‘big’ decision, keep it simple and straightforward

Step 2: The Research Proposal

This section of the ia is worth 3 marks out of the total of 25. it must be no more than 500 words , this includ es the action plan. the research proposal is intended to be a planning document that you write before you actually start researching for information. it should therefore be written in the future tense ., the research proposal should include the following titled questions:, the research question, the rationale for study, methodology, theoretical framework, action plan, anticipated difficulties, research question.

– Simply state the research question (remember that the entire research proposal must be under 500 words)

– Give an explanation as to why the issue you will be investing is important and worthy of spending time researching. This must be from a business perspective rather than your own personal perspective.

See example below for clarity:

Theoretical Framework - See example (right):

– State which business tool/techniques you are planning on using. For each one explain how it is relevant to your decision and how it will help you.

Suggestions for business tools, theories and concepts:

Marketing Strategies , Price elasticity , Economies of Scale

Product portfolio analysis (BCG)

Product lifecycle and Boston Matrix

Ansoff’s Matrix , Lewin’s force field analysis , Position (Perception) mapping

The SWOT analysis and/or the PESTLE analysis

Cause & Effect (Fishbone) model

Investment appraisal – Payback, ARR, NPV and Ratio Analysis

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs or Herzberg’s 2 factor theory or other motivational theories

Leadership theories

Methodology - See example ( right ):

– Outline the primary and secondary research methods that you will use for your research. Give specific details and justify why each will aid your decision making.

Primary Research:

Questionnaires

Observations

Analysis of local competitors

Secondary Research:

Economic data

Financial Reports

Newspaper articles

Market data

Company annual reports

Anticipated Difficulties

– Give a list of possible problems you might encounter and say how you could resolve them. For example, this could be issues of confidentiality meaning that you can’t access information that you need.

Some issues can be revisited once you have completed parts of the IA, simply return to the research proposal and type in what issues you encountered and how you solved them

TAKE NOTE HOWEVER , you MUST write in future-tense as though you have yet to actually encounter the obstacle

See example below:

Source: ValkrieJJ ('19) - kindly permitted this website to use a censored version of his IBDP HL Business Internal Assessment Research Proposal as examples for this unit of the site

– Create a table like the example below. Make sure you fill in target dates for completion and explain any changes in the modification column as you complete each task

Step 3: Data Collection

Just like in every other subject's ia - students must collect data using primary and secondary research methods. your main source of research should be primary research and this is supported by secondary research. examiners in the past have commented upon an over reliance on internet research so you must try to show a broader range of sources . make sure that you have both internal and external sources of information. one of the single biggest mistakes students make is to rely on only one source of data. this makes the data – and your analysis invalid..

Interviews: Plan your interview questions carefully. You must provide a transcript of any interviews that have taken place to include in the appendices so it is best to record the interview as it takes place.

Ensure that your interviewees have consented to having their words be used in your IA and that there will be a transcript of you conversation with them in the appendices

Always cite your source in MLA or APA or (whatever preferred citing style) for the interview properly

Methods of Primary Research:

Questionnaires:

Make sure that these are kept concise and include closed questions in order to make the results are easy to collate. You could do a paper based survey or an online survey using Google Forms or a website such as www.surveymonkey.com .

Think carefully about your sample size and sampling method.

Link to Unit 4.4 - Market Research & Sampling Methods

(click the button below)

Unit 4.4 - Market Research

Secondary research could include finding out information about:

The business itself

Competitors

Trends within the market

The external environment (PEST factors)

The issue your research project is concerned with

Methods of Secondary Research:

Step 4: Data Collation

After you have collected the data then you have to begin the task of organising it in your project. this crucially depends on when and how you will collect the data. your teacher will check your data before you start writing up the internal assessment . if there is insufficient data then you may be asked to change your title to something where information is more readily available or to change the title/research question to tailor the research and information that you have already collected in order to make your research suitable for usage., arranging the data:.

Once again no one form of presentation is better than another. However, you must think in terms of standardisation – presentation is much more effective if there is a consistent style. Secondly, you must cite every piece of data you include. This is critical; you will lose marks if you do not. Citing can also be useful as it points to the reliability of your data. At the very worst you could also be accused of plagiarism if you do not cite all the data.

Referencing the Data:

The IB takes referencing the data very seriously indeed. Not just because of the plagiarism issue but because the Bibliography, References and Appendix show the extent of your research. However, be warned the project is not marked by weight – in fact the more ‘padding’ you add the more chance you have of losing marks.

T his is used for material that would otherwise destroy the flow of your argument. E.g. sample questionnaires or company accounts. The IB is not impressed with students who try and beat the word limit by dumping huge tracts of materials in the appendices. The golden rule is only put it there if you have used it and if you don’t need to use it – don’t! You will eventually highlight the information in your appendices that you have referred to in your report.

Bibliography

T his is a list of all the references you have cited in your report. It must be in alphabetical order and only include sources that you have cited in your report

A reference gives full details of the source cited in the work; the parts or elements of the reference should be noted in a consistent order. Use of a recognized style guide will help ensure consistency, and will also ensure that all required elements are included.

A citation in the text links to a full reference in the bibliography. BSM recommends that you use the MLA style of citation. The IB say that you must use a consistent style.

Step 5: Formatting & Writing Your IA

The ib expects you to have created more than one draft of the business report. this is to show that you have modified your work as you go along. after you have submitted your first draft you will be given feedback and advice on how you can improve your report. the ib have a required format for the report. you need to make sure that you include all of the sections outlined and they must also be in the correct order., format of your ia:.

This page should give a clear indication of what is contained in the research project

Acknowledgements

This section should acknowledge any individual(s) who has made the production of the Internal Assessment and Written Report possible.

Table of Contents

This should include the major headings in the report, beginning with the Executive Summary. Page numbers should be clearly indicated.

Executive Summary

The Executive Summary provides a review of the document as a whole, outlining conclusions drawn and recommendations made. Together with the title, the Executive Summary should provide a clear overview of the document. It is imperative, therefore, that it is explicit yet brief (maximum 200 words).

This should be written last and should be in the PAST TENSE

It is essential that the executive summary include three elements:

the research question

the scope of the research (including the methodology)

the main findings, conclusions and recommendations.

Introduction

The function of the Introduction is to demonstrate background knowledge about the organization, and set the context of the report.

Also to give a clear outline of the topics under investigation and to outline the rationale for the research.

Research Questions

This is a clear, unambiguous question that indicates the scope of the investigation and requires an answer. A well-devised question is more likely to result in a report that achieves high marks.

The research question should be reviewed at the end of the process and amended if necessary .

Procedure or Methodology

This should be a summary of the primary and secondary research undertaken and the business techniques (theories and decision-making tools) applied. It should also include an assessment of the validity and reliability of the data collected (e.g. partiality, bias and scope) and the methods employed. You should explain any changes made as the work progressed.

Main Results & Findings

The purpose of the analysis of the results section is to clarify what the raw data has revealed. This should include a summary of the data collected and findings, and could, where appropriate, be supported by tables, graphs and statistics, lists.

All tables, graphs, images etc need to be captioned with a label (eg. Figure 1) a title (eg. Key financial data for 2013/14) and a source

This involves interpreting the results and findings and applying the business tools and concepts.

Students often choose to split this into sub sections for each of the concepts/tools they are applying. The discussion should be sequenced and coherent. It should also be carefully referenced.

For each subsection a good structure would be:

Application of the tool/concept

Analysis/Discussion relating to the research question

Evaluation – Conclusions as to the implications for the research question

Critical thinking – identify limitations of the tool/data that has been used

Conclusion & Recommendations

The conclusions and recommendations must follow from the analysis and discussion. Students must state their conclusion and then justify their decision with reference to their analysis. They must not refer to any new information which has not already been discussed earlier in the report.

Recommendations should be precise and there should be practical proposals for action that stem from the conclusions.

It is also necessary to make reference to the limitations of the research done and how this could be addresses by the business.

The report should contain a correctly presented bibliography, acknowledging all sources cited in the analysis and results sections

These should include only relevant information that supports or emphasizes what is discussed in the report. You should be careful not to include inappropriate materials such as lengthy company reports.

Appendices could include photographs, transcripts, articles, financial data, questionnaires

Letter of Authentications

You need to include a letter from the organisation that verifies that you have conducted research at their organisation and that your report was submitted to them

Writing the Introduction:

The aim of the introduction is to give some background to the company and the issue that is being discussed. You are basically explaining why the issue is important and what the aim of the report is.

Writing the Procedure/Methodology:

In this section you need to explain the research that was done. This would include details of both the Primary method and the secondary sources you used. It should be written in the past tense. It should include specific details such as sample size and sampling method etc. This should relate to the proposed research that you outlined in your research proposal. You must identify any weaknesses or limitations of the research was done.

Writing the Results and Findings:

This section should briefly summarise the key findings of your research. This could include graphs, tables and charts and also bullet point lists of key information. You do not need to discuss these as this will be done in the Analysis and evaluation section.

Writing the Analysis & Evaluation:

This is the most significant area in the whole project. Just under 30% of your total marks come in here. It pays to get this bit right, so to help you, consider the following points:

Link the analysis to your research data

Be succinct and ordered

Integrate your data, analysis and evaluation

Avoid relying too heavily on a single source (the business)

Use independent sources

Avoid unsupported generalisations

Be critical – don’t take everything for granted

A good strategy for this section is to split it into sub-sections according to each tool/concept you are applying. In each subsection you should include:

A brief explanation of the tool/concept

Application of the tool to your chosen business (using data where possible rather than just opinion)

An analysis of how this relates to your research question. What does it imply regarding the decision you are trying to make.

You need to show evidence of critical thinking, a good way to do this is to mention limitations of the tool you have used or the data that you used.

Writing the Conclusion & Recommendation

This section must continue on from the previous material. Some points that you may want to bear in mind when writing your conclusion:

It should clearly state the decision you have come to regarding the research question

You should justify your decision with evidence from your analysis

There should be no new material introduced

The conclusions must be consistent with the evidence presented

Don’t ignore evidence because you don’t agree with it.

The recommendation should once again follow on from the conclusion and it should be brief and consistent. It must include the following elements:

A clear recommendation

Unanswered questions should be stated (limitations identified)

Suggestions to resolve these unanswered questions are made (limitations addressed)

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IB Business Management IA HL Structure: A Simple Guide

by  Antony W

February 12, 2023

Are you looking for a comprehensive structure for an IB Business Management IA for Higher Level?

You can this structure as a guide.

Even though there have been some recent adjustments made to the format, such as those related to the requirements for the cover sheet, the format shared below is current.

Key Takeaways

• The IA and the Proposal should be in a single document, with Arial font size 12 and double spacing between paragraphs.
• Don’t forget to cite all of your sources in MLA format whenever possible.
• Cite every fact that you include, as well as every opinion that you write, as they all shape whatever you read.

IB Business Management IA HL Structure

The following is the structure to use to write your IB Business Management IA at the Higher Level:

The title page of your IB Business Management IA at Higher Level must include:

• Your Research Question
• Your IB Number
• Word count for the proposal and the Internal Assessment

Note that the candidate number, student number, and the student’s name are not part of the title page anymore. 

Acknowledgements

Although it is not strictly necessary, it is usual to give this information.

Contents Page

Include details (including page numbers) about the following:

• All parts your Internal Assessment

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:

Research Question

A research question is the focus of the business research project. The question should be clear so that it’s easy to understand without requiring additional explanation.

In addition to being arguable and open for debate, ensure your research question is relevant to your field of study.

Discuss how the research question connects to the priorities or difficulties that are currently facing the company.

This is not the reason why you have an interest in this subject. It’s why the company has an interest in this matter.

Theoretical Framework

Include course sections. Make a list of tools along with an explanation of how each one will assist you in answering the research question.

Methodology

Include the primary and secondary sources of information that you want to investigate, including the precise names of persons that you will interview (and the reasons for doing so), as well as the specific information that you will concentrate on discovering.

Include more than one primary source of information in your report. If you are unable to conduct two interviews, you should probably choose another method, such as a survey or an observation.

Anticipated Difficulties

Describe some of the challenges you anticipate encountering, the reasons for those challenges, and your strategy for overcoming them if they materialize.

Make an effort to go further beyond the apparent ones, such as access to information and prejudice.

Explain why it could be difficult to gather some of the information you need or why it might not be credible.

Action Plan

Include dates, as well as a section where you may detail the alterations you made to your work as you progressed through the project. This demonstrates that you made use of your action plan when carrying out your IA.

Additionally, at least one of these adjustments should demonstrate that you truly learnt something and that is the reason why you made the change.

Structure for the IB Business Management IA HL

Your Internal Assessment in Business Management at HL should not be more than 2,000 words long. Also, you should write this section in the past tense and ensure it has all the sections as indicated.

Executive Summary (200 Words)

Write a summary of the nature of the firm and the circumstances surrounding it, the research question, the tools used, and an explanation of the most important primary and secondary sources used.

Describe your most important results, and then point any caveats associated with those findings.

Note that the executive summary is not part of the IA’s word count.

Introduction (200 Words)

In the introduction, give the name of the company and some background on what it does, and explanation of one of their top strategic initiatives, and explain your research question.

Also, describe the parts of the curriculum that are relevant to this topic and the total number of words in this section.

Method Employed (200 Words)

Write more information about your method, including the kind of primary and secondary sources that you employed to investigate your RQ.

Describe some of the different sources of data that you used in your work, and ensure to mention that you obtained primary data from more than one source.

Explain the advantages of using these sources, the strategies and methods used, and the validity and reliability of your data collection method. Also, explain how valid the procedures that you used to acquire data were and mention any adjustments that you made to the way you approached the IA.

Main Results and Findings (100 Words)

You may include a graph as well as a summary of your study, potentially in the form of a list of some of the most important information discovered and the primary or secondary sources for them.

Analysis and Discussion (1,100 Words)

It’s a good idea to use at least one financial instrument, but you should prioritize your qualitative tools first.

In general, qualitative tools (such as SWOT and PEST) should appear before quantitative ones (such as ratio analysis and decision trees), because qualitative tools set the stage and offer context for the financials.

Conclusions (200 Words)

Bring your mini-conclusions from the analysis together, or synthesis them, and then draw some intriguing observations based on what you’ve learned from them.

Mention some of the constraints that your study had. At a minimum, there should be one, and most likely, there should be two.

Demonstrate that you have carefully considered your work. You may talk about additional facts that would be incredibly useful to know, but which you couldn’t get for whatever reason. You might talk about the potential errors in your work as well as the reasoning for such problems.

Recommendations (200 Words)

Have at least three recommendations, as well as at least one extra sort of study, all of which would help to ensure the credibility of your findings. This is something you need to do to receive full credit for the suggestions.

Work Cited (No Word Limit)

This section should include:

• At the very least, two books.
• At least two interviews.
• At least four sources on the internet
• At least one source that demonstrates your desire to put in a lot of effort and go above and beyond what is required of you

Appendices (No Word Limit)

• Transcripts of the interviews that you have conducted
• Additional analyses that you carried out but couldn’t put in the main body of your IA
• Any other noteworthy data that you would like to refer to in the main body of your work

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.

Research methods in international business

Lorraine Eden, Bo Bernhard Nielsen, and Alain Verbeke (Eds) Palgrave Macmillan, London, 2020, 510 pp. ISBN: 978-3030221133

• Book Review
• Published: 07 June 2021
• Volume 52 , pages 1225–1228, ( 2021 )

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Bergh, D. Research methods in international business. J Int Bus Stud 52 , 1225–1228 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-021-00440-3

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Accepted : 02 May 2021

Published : 07 June 2021

Issue Date : August 2021

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-021-00440-3

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Business and Management – IA Research Proposal

Seasons Supermarket has many businesses apart from the market industry such as Seasons Hotel. Seasons Supermarket is mainly focused on its sales targeting the local needs and has faced difficulty in selling products due to its competition and also are overstaffed this making them fail completely thou they have a little window of opportunity to grow. The main objective would be to position their market in a way that would help the company to sell all range of products more efficiently and make profits. Theoretical framework:-(BCG matrix, Porters generic) Some strategies and analysis tools that can be used are SWOT analysis this will be used to examine the company's strength to weakness and also will help in identifying the areas that need and can be improved matrix and Porters generics are tools that can be used to analyze the company's market positioning. This entire research will help find a solution to make the supermarket more efficient in selling their products in a better way.

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Uluslararası İktisadi ve İdari İncelemeler Dergisi

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Duygu HIDIROGLU

This paper provides analysis on Cadbury, Inc and confectionery industry. The paper analyzes the external and internal forces affecting the company, the industry it operates and its business level strategy. Further, it gives detailed information about the SWOT analysis of the company. Considering the situational features such as opportunities and threats when designing the environmental analysis and making realistic marketing plan is very crucial because a company will benefit from its own strengths, eliminate its weaknesses, benefit from environmental opportunities and protect itself from environmental threats. On the simple basis of product quality and taste, Cadbury proves to be superior to other commercially available chocolate even with the seeming similarities in texture. This paper deals with two main research flows: environmental analysis and situational factors which allows organizations to compose a realistic and effective marketing plan. This study provides a framework that implement a common consensus on these research flows by specifiying some important issues for future research and by making effective strategy analysis in the confectionery industry. ŞEKERLEME ENDÜSTRİSİNE YÖNELİK STRATEJİK PLANLAMA SÜRECİNDE DURUM ANALİZİ UYGULAMASI: CADBURY, A.Ş. ÖRNEĞİ Ö z Bu çalışma, Cadbury A.Ş. ve şekerleme endüstrisi analizlerini kapsamaktadır. Çalışma, SWOT analizi yardımıyla Cadbury A.Ş.'nin içinde bulunduğu sektörü ve işletme düzeyinde stratejileri etkileyen dış ve iç kuvvetleri analiz etmektedir. Çevrenin analizi ve şirketin pazarlama planı tasarlanırken durumsal faktörler göz önünde bulundurulduğu gözlenmiştir. Cadbury A.Ş.'nin örgütsel bağlamda sahip olduğu güçlü yönlerden faydalanırken; zayıf yönlerin olumsuz etkilerini en aza indirgemeye yönelik çeşitli stratejiler kurduğu görülmüştür. Şirketin bu stratejileri, pazar fırsatlarından yararlanmasına ve herhangi bir tehditten kaçınmasına fayda sağlayacağı için oldukça önemlidir. Cadbury A.Ş.'nin ürünleri yüksek fiyatla ithal edilen atıştırmalık ve yiyeceklere kıyasla daha uygun fiyatlı ve eşit derecede rekabetçi bir alternatiftir. Cadbury A.Ş.'nin şirket stratejilerinin aynı sektörde yer alan diğer şirketlerden daha üstün ve başarılı olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Çalışma, şirketi etkileyen dış güçleri, bulunduğu sektörü ve şirketin çevresini analiz etmektedir. Böylelikle şekerleme endüstrisinin geleceği hakkında gerçekçi öngörüler sunulmakta ve sektörün dinamikleri hakkında önemli bilgilere ulaşılmaktadır. Bu çalışma gelecekteki araştırmalara şekerleme endüstrisindeki firmaların çevresel analizi için önemli alanları vurgulayan kavramsal bir çerçeve sunmaktadır.

The level of competitiveness of nations or firms determines their ability and level of wealth. creation. This why the Global Competitive Index (GCI) are being formulated and utilized in decision making on entry by foreign firms and for planning by policymakers. The Global Competitiveness Index has been measuring the factors that drive long-term growth and prosperity for over four decades, helping policymakers identify challenges to be addressed and strengths to build on when designing the economic growth strategies for their countries GC Report 2017/18. The global competitiveness of helps firms that are willing or in the process of internationalization to gain a clear understanding of which state or region is attractive for foreign investments and to make comparison to others. It also helps in forecasting the future and its changing aspects. The past decade has seen a buildup of significant shifts that are fundamentally transforming the context in which policy decisions to foster economic growth are made GC Report 2017/18. This mid-term a paper considers Norway’s and Mexico’s attractiveness as alternative entry opportunities for Lid - a grocery retail store. The two nations were comparatively analyzed using numerous models. These models include the PESTEL analysis, the Porter’s Five Forces model, and the Value Chain model. In conclusion, a unique analysis considered Lidl’s internal capabilities, the target market and circumstances under which entry will be implemented in Norway. This involves a broader and comparative analysis of the opportunities, advantages and disadvantages of the available entry modes in order to make a choice decision, Lidl’s internal capabilities and advantages associated to entry modes were considered as opportunity for Lidl to capitalize on when it makes an entry into Norway

International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research

Tanvir Ahamed

Decision making and choosing the right decision is one of the main activities of businessmen. Taking a decision without proper knowledge and methods the performance of the business will reduce and businessmen will fail to earn optimum profit. Facility location selection is the fast and foremost decision of businessmen when starting a new supplying business. Without a proper, accurate and standard method for selecting the most profitable facility location for supplier business, the performance of this business will affect. Rajshahi is a city of mangoes in Bangladesh and a seasonal business of mangoes held here every year. Supplying of mangoes can become a profitable business by selecting the best location for supplying mangoes to the different areas of the country. But due to the wrong selection of the location, most suppliers fail to earn the maximum profit. The objective of this case study is to provide a decision support system to select the facility location for mango supplying b...

Somnath Talukdar

Glass industry is one of the largest and most important industries of the country. This industry is divided to several different groups which differ from each other in terms of production process and raw-material combinations. One of these groups is bottles and jars industry and Hamadan Glass Company is placed in this group. This research is a case study of this company and investigates its position in Iran's glass industry. In this paper, the process of formulating strategic planning is presented for this company and the way the proposed strategies are provided and organized is explained by applying strategic planning paradigms and evaluating internal and external environments. In this regard, SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis and QSPM (Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix) were used for producing strategies and their evaluation. At last, the proposed strategies were presented in the order of priority. Introduction Strategic management can be defined as the art and science of formulating, executing and evaluating function decisions which enable organizations to reach their long-term objectives [1]. In fact, strategic management is a process through which organizations can recognize themselves and their surrounding environments and plan, implement and monitor their strategies. Strategic planning is considered as one of the most important duties of organization managers and, at present, because of the extent and speed of social and economic development and the increase in competitiveness, its importance is increasingly growing and all the organizations are compelled to consider it for their survival sooner or later. In this paper, first, Hamadan Glass Company is briefly introduced. Then, research methodology and the strategic planning process for the company are presented; the way the proposed strategies could be achieved for the company using strategic planning paradigms is explained and internal and external environments are evaluated.

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management

George Panigyrakis

Purpose – The majority of research pertaining to internal marketing (IM) is conceptual and still remains so even at present. The lack of widely accepted definitions of the IM concept and a relevant valid measure has lead to increased attempts by academia to investigate the relative concepts and measures. The purpose of this paper is to examine a synthesis of IM and investigates its effect on business performance in a retail context. Design/methodology/approach – The context of this paper is within supermarket chains in Greece with nation wide coverage. A survey is designed and implemented using the branch managers. Findings – SEM analysis indicates five dimensions of the IM construct: formal interaction, reward systems, feedback, internal procedures and policies and internal customer orientation (ICO). Retailers seem to adopt in an embryonic stage a concept of IM. IM indeed has a positive effect on business performance. Research limitations/implications – Single key informant, single context of the paper are considerations when examining research limitations. Practical implications – The embryonic stage of adopting and implementing IM within supermarket chains illustrates a certain manner of managing the internal customer; centralisation of procedures and tactics. Even if the concept of IM is partially exploited, the respective organisational behaviours clearly have a positive impact on both financial and non-financial aspects of retail performance, thus revealing their importance. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the rare empirical investigation of the IM notion in the firm and provides evidence on both its synthesis and its impact on business performance. The authors synthesize the concepts of internal market and ICOs providing a new approach to IM. Construct and research propositions have been axiomatic and in an only conceptual context until recently. Keywords Internal marketing, Business performance, Retailing, Supermarkets, Greece Paper type Research paper

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Business & Management IA Research Proposal

• Internal Assesment
• Research proposal
• action plan

By Rafa de Azua May 20, 2013 in Economics and Business & Management

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Rafa de azua.

Hi! I am studying Business and Management HL and I'm actually writing my Research proposal for my IA.

The maximum number of words is 500 and I have seen examples that counting the words of all the parts and the action plan of the proposal have more than 500 words.

Does the action plan count for the word count in the research proposal?

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Share on other sites, adhamhussein.

you should have three different word counts:

1. Executive summary a.k.a abstract. The maximum word count is 200

2. Research Proposal/Action Plan. The maximum word count is 500

3. Main Essay. The maximum word is 2000

If u exceed the limit IB will down score. One of the assessment criteria (E-value to management) will give u a maximum of one point if you exceed the word count

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How to Write an Extended Essay Proposal

The first ‘official’ step in the Extended Essay process is often writing a proposal. This can seem intimidating at first, but it’s a really helpful thing to write. It’s a great way to get an overview of the steps along the EE journey and it helps you get started – which can be one of the hardest parts! 

In your proposal you lay out your idea, your timeline for working on it, and what you will need to conduct the research. Here we’ll take you through how to write an Extended Essay proposal by looking at each of these parts.

Coming up with an idea is often the hardest part! The key to this is setting aside specific chunks of time to deep dive into topics you find interesting. It’s highly unlikely that an idea will randomly pop into your head otherwise. 

In these scheduled chunks, spend time looking at newspaper and journal articles, TED talks, documentaries etc. The recommended section with related articles is a great place to find the next thing that you want to look at. It’s like the YouTube recommended videos, except falling into a hole on these is actually helpful for your research!

For more tips on finding your topic, check out our previous blog post about it here . 

The Question

Most schools will ask you to give your research question in your proposal. Don’t worry – this can normally be altered later on as long as it’s not a complete topic change! 

The key thing to remember when developing your research question is that it needs to be open-ended enough to allow you to fully investigate your topic. You shouldn’t go into your research with an answer to your question already in mind, and so your question shouldn’t direct you to any one outcome. 

For more specific help with writing your question, take a look at this blog post .

The Timeline 

A key use of the proposal is to help your teachers determine if your Extended Essay topic is viable. One of the main ways that they assess this is through the timeline that you suggest. The IB say that your EE should take 40 hours to complete. While this may seem like a lot at the moment, once you get started you’ll realise it’s actually not much time! It’s important that any project you embark on isn’t going to take longer than this. We all know how busy the IB is!

An easy way to create a timeline is to use the different stages of writing the essay. For example, you will need to do research, analyse your date, plan the essay, write the first draft, edit it, and then produce a final draft. Some of these stages (like conducting your research and analysing data) are likely to take longer than others. 

It’s also important to consider the other deadlines you have during the time when you’re working on your EE. For example, if you have exams at the end of the school year it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to do all of your EE research at the same time as revising for them. 

Here’s an example of a timeline: 

• Initial background research – early April
• Conduct main research – late April to end of May
• Data analysis – July 
• Plan structure of essay – August
• Write first draft – first 2 weeks of September 
• Revise draft – last 2 weeks of September
• Final draft hand in – first week of October

Notice how I’ve not planned anything for June – this gives time to revise for end of year exams and to take a proper break at the start of the summer! 

Resources Needed

Schools often use the proposals to get an idea of the support that you will need throughout the EE process. It’s important to make sure you lay out any resources you will need. This might be specific chemicals or space in a lab if you’re doing a Chemistry project. For a Geography project, this might be a specific piece of mapping software like ArcGIS. 

Thinking through what you will need is also a helpful starting point for you. It will hopefully help you get started with your research as quickly and smoothly as possible! 

Throughout writing your proposal, it’s important to remember that the aim isn’t to answer your research question! This document is about planning your project and is really designed to help you make sure it’s feasible. 

If you’re having trouble with your Extended Essay proposal, we are here to help! Check out the “IB Extended Essay” category on the blog or take a look at the online private tuition that we offer here .

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