BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

The EE gives students an opportunity to develop research skills by:

• reviewing business theories, concepts and principles

• critically analysing their use and application in the business world and their resultant impact on business activity.

The EE requires the application of business management theories, tools and techniques to produce a coherent and structured analytical essay that effectively addresses the research question.

Choice of topic

Students can choose a topic they have encountered during their Diploma Programme business management course. However, they may also choose to investigate issues that fall outside its scope. For example:

• business practices in a specific regional or national context, or

• the practical applications of the work of a particular business management theorist.

Whatever area they choose, students must root their research firmly in accepted business management theories and use the core principles of business management as the basis for their research.

Students are strongly advised to choose a topic that enables them to carry out research and apply business management theories and techniques in a real-world setting. This setting may be an organisation, industry or market in a particular region or country, or globally.

Sources of ideas may include:

• an interest in issues raised in the classroom

• aspects of a student’s own experience

• current events.

Research questions that do not allow a systematic and meaningful investigation using business management theories, concepts and principles are unlikely to be suitable.

Backward versus forward-looking questions

Students can choose to investigate past event(s). However, they must ensure that their question will enable them to analyse and evaluate rather than simply describe what happened.

A forward-looking question can enable students to search for conflicting sources to arrive at a well-supported argument and conclusion. But the topic should not be so forward-looking that information and results are not yet available: hypothetical questions based on future events are to be avoided.

Students may use primary sources and secondary sources, or secondary sources only

Use of analytical tools and numerical data

A good essay will demonstrate the appropriate use of analytical tools, often supported by numerical data to assist the discussion and evaluation.

Appropriate analytical tools from the business management syllabus include:

• Ansoff Matrix

• BCG Matrix

• Break-even analysis

• Decision tree

• Financial statements and ratio analysis

• Fishbone diagram

• Force field analysis

• Position maps

• Stakeholders analysis

• STEEPLE analysis

• SWOT analysis

Students may also use analytical tools that are not included in the syllabus.