In this guide, we look at everything you should know about IB Business Management IA. Specifically, we look at the definition of the subject, its impact, the course at SL and HL level, as well as tips that you can use to do well in this area.
Whether you’re currently in the phase of choosing an IB subject or you’ve already made up your mind to study Business Management in the diploma program, you’ll find this guide quite helpful.
Let’s get started.
Key Takeaways
- The assignment should be no more than 1,800 words long.
- Your teacher will assess your work out of 25 marks, which is 30% and 20% of the final grade at SL and HL respectively.
- The assignment requires you to use 3 to 5 sources to respond to a question that relates to an organization, which can be a non-profit entity or a business.
- Your question will need to relate to one of the Business Management Concepts as taught in the IB diploma program.
What is IB Business Management IA About?
IB Business Management IA is a subject (or course) that equips you with the knowledge and skills to analyze, discuss, and evaluate business activities across different levels.
By the end of the course, you should gain a deeper understanding of diverse business management theories and know the essential tools and techniques used in the field.
The subject offers a practical insight into the dynamic business environment through real-world examples and case studies. It also focuses on cultivating specific skills relevant to the subject for comprehensive learning.
Should You Take Business Management in IB?
If you don’t know already, IB gives you the freedom to choose which subjects to study. Specifically, you have to select 6 subjects from the approved subject groups, three for SL and three for HL. Business Management is one of the subjects.
To be clear, it’s up to you to decide whether to study the subject or not.
One of the best things about Business Management is its focus on retention of the study material, mostly because much of the content relates to everyday life.
If you enroll in the subject, you’ll sharpen your critical thinking, practical application, cognitive analysis, and sound enterprise judgment.
The course materials delve into fundamental business principles and operations while exploring ethics and corporate responsibilities. The curriculum equally assesses, debates, and presents concise information on local, national, and global business activities.
IB Business Management IA at SL and HL
During the Internal Assessment, students explore topics of personal interest, for which they apply their knowledge and skills to conduct investigations.
The IA is mandatory for both SL and HL students, and there are crucial distinctions between the two levels that necessitate careful consideration before making a selection.
At SL, you do a written commentary and, at HL, you conduct a research project. HL work relies on primary research, whereas SL written commentaries draw support from secondary sources.
IB SL Business Management IA
For the IA at Standard Level, your focus will be on a written commentary that accounts for 25% of the final grade.
To do well:
- Select a commercial problem faced by a real company. The problem should be in the form of a research question.
- Your commentary should include a summary, appraisal, and examination of findings. The conclusion must offer a solution or response to the problem.
- Organize your work. Begin with an introduction that describes the business’ problem and company background. The body should present conclusions from additional papers and analyze these using various business theories, methods, and procedures.
- The conclusion should answer your investigation and address any unanswered aspects.
Ensure your work is not more than 1,500 words long, as IB advises teachers against grading more than the suggested word count. Also, your work should include 3-5 cited sources in the bibliography.
IB HL Business Management IA
The IB Business Management IA at Higher Level accounts for 25% of your final grades. This assignment involves a research project based on primary data.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Address a genuine problem or a real business decision within the context of an actual organization or multiple organizations.
- Use secondary research to support your project.
- Write your project title in the form of a question.
- Structure your work into two sections: a Research Proposal and a Written Report.
- Adhere to word limits: the IB Business IA HL proposal should not exceed 500 words, while the report must stay within 2,000 words.
For detailed guidance on formatting and writing, refer to our comprehensive guide for IB Business HL IA structure.
Tips to Pass IB Business Management Internal Assessment
Getting a 7 in IB Business Management IA at SL and HL isn’t as easy, but it’s not impossible. Here are some tips to point you in the right direction:
1. Conduct Thorough Research
Engage in comprehensive investigation to address the research topic effectively. Connect the chosen analytical technique to the IA report topic. Begin the report by discussing the reasoning behind your argument choice and the approach you’ll employ.
2. Perform Detailed Analysis
Conduct an exhaustive analysis demonstrating your understanding of its purpose. Use available business IA examples online to refine your approach and convey key points effectively.
After completing the analysis, reflect on insights gained from the presented solution. The aim is to show your depth of understanding so that your instructor can gauge your comprehension based on the conclusions that you make in your report.
3. Hire Our Writing Service
If you feel like you’re running late on your internal assessment in Business Management, or you simply don’t have the time to write the paper, you can hire our writing service.
We have a team that understands what IB requires, meaning we can write you a business report that scores a 7. Our team focuses on three things: in-depth research, custom writing, and timely delivery. You can place your order here, and we’ll move you from a completely blank page to a fully comprehensive report.