IB Business and Management (HL and SL)

Course Outline

The IB Business Management course follows the specification outlined below by the IB

The HL course structure includes three exam papers and one piece of coursework (IA):

  • Paper 1 – based on pre-released research material – 25%
  • Paper 2 – based on unseen stimulus material – 30%
  • Paper 3 – Based on social enterprise – 25%
  • IA – coursework on a specific business problem – 20%

The SL course structure includes three exam papers and one piece of coursework (IA):

  • Paper 1 – based on pre-released research material – 35%
  • Paper 2 – based on unseen stimulus material – 35%
  • IA – coursework on a specific business problem – 30%

The course is divided into 5 Units over the 2 academic years and students will develop an understanding of the following content over the Units:

Unit 1: Introduction to business management

  • What is business?
  • Types of business entities
  • Business objectives
  • Stakeholders
  • Growth and evolution
  • MNCs

Unit 2: Human resource management

  • Introduction to HR
  • Organisational structure
  • Leadership and management
  • Motivation and demotivation
  • Corporate culture (HL only)
  • Communication
  • Industrial/employee relations (HL only)

Unit 3: Finance and accounts

  • Introduction to finance
  • Sources of finance
  • Costs and revenues
  • Final accounts
  • Profitability and liquidity ratios
  • Efficiency ratio analysis (HL only)
  • Cash flow
  • Investment appraisal
  • Budgets (HL only)

Unit 4: Marketing

  • Introduction to marketing
  • Marketing planning
  • Sales forecasting (HL only)
  • Market research
  • 7Ps of marketing mix
  • International marketing (HL only)

Unit 5: Operations management

  • Introduction to operations management
  • Operations methods
  • Lean production and quality management (HL only)
  • Location
  • Break-even analysis
  • Production planning (HL only)
  • Crisis management (HL only)
  • Research and development (HL only)
  • Management information systems (HL only)

Requirements

A genuine interest in the subject matter – i.e a keenness to read widely, be aware of contemporary issues relating to the economy and business.  A good level of Maths and English is also required.

Contact

For more information contact Mr Simon Roundell sfr@wellingtoncollege.org.uk