Business Management

The aims of the Business Management course are to:

1. develop as confident, creative and compassionate business leaders, entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs and as change agents

2. foster an informed understanding of ethical and sustainable business practices

3. explore the connections between individuals, businesses and society

4. engage with decision-making as a process and a skill.

Syllabus content

4. 1. Unit 1: Introduction to business management

   2. Unit 2: Human resource management

   3. Unit 3: Finance and accounts

   4. Unit 4: Marketing

   5. Unit 5: Operations management

The emphasis is on the 3 Cs

Concepts

• Change is essential for businesses to achieve their desired aims

• Creative business planning can lead to organizational success

• Ethical business behaviour improves a business’ image as well as customer loyalty

• Sustainable business practices can enhance a business’ existence

Context (case studies of real firms)

Syllabus Content including the Business Management tool kit

The business management toolkit is a set of tools that provides synthesis and connectivity to the course units. There are tools for both SL and HL, as well as HL only tools.

These tools can be classified as situational, planning and decision-making tools.

• Situational tools: assist businesses in assessing their internal and/or external aspects. Some examples from the Business management guide include a SWOT analysis and STEEPLE analysis.

• Planning tools: assist businesses in project preparation and implementation. Some examples from the Business management guide include a business plan, critical path analysis and Gantt charts.

• Decision-making tools: assist businesses to consider various factors before deciding on a particular venture. Some examples from the Business management guide include decision trees, the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) matrix and the Ansoff matrix.

HL External assessment (4 hours and 30 minutes) 80%

SL External assessment (3 hours) 70%

Paper 1 is the same for SL and HL (1 hour and 30 minutes) Weightings 35%SL/25% HL (Total 30 marks)

Based on a pre-released statement that specifies the context and background for the unseen case study

Section A

Syllabus content: Units 1–5 excluding HL extension topics

Students answer all structured questions in this section based on the case study (20 marks)

Section B

Syllabus content: Units 1–5 excluding HL extension topics

Students answer one out of two extended response questions based on the case study (10 marks)

SL Paper 2: (1 hour and 30 minutes) Weight 35% (Total 40 marks)

Based on unseen stimulus material with a quantitative focus

Section A

Syllabus content: Units 1–5 excluding HL extension topics

Students answer all structured questions in this section based on the unseen stimulus material (20 marks)

Section B

Syllabus content: Units 1–5 excluding HL extension topics

Students answer one out of two questions comprised of some structured questions and an extended response question based on the unseen stimulus material (20 marks)

HL Paper 2 (1 hour and 45 minutes)Weight 30% (Total marks 50)

Based on the unseen stimulus material with a quantitative focus

Section A

Syllabus content: Units 1–5 including HL extension topics

Students answer all structured questions in this section based on the unseen stimulus material (30 marks)

Section B

Syllabus content: Units 1–5 including HL extension topics

Students answer one out of two questions comprised of some structured questions and an extended response question based on the unseen stimulus material (20 marks)

HL Paper 3 (1 hour and 15 minutes) Weight 25% (Total marks 50)

Based on unseen stimulus material about a social enterprise

Syllabus content: Unit 1–5 including HL extension topics (25 marks)

Students answer one compulsory question based on the unseen stimulus material (25 marks)

Internal Assessment

This is the same for both HL and SL but with different weightings SL 30% HL 20%

Business research project

Students produce a research project about a real business issue or problem facing a particular organization using a conceptual lens. Maximum 1,800 words. (25 marks)

Internal Assessment/Coursework: Research and preparation will take place at the beginning of the summer term in Year 12 and the report submitted at the end of Yr12.