business management extended essay ideas

Business Management Extended Essay Topic Ideas and RQs

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If you’re gearing up to write your Business Management Extended Essay and feeling a bit overwhelmed with where to start, you’re in the right place. In this article, we will walk you through various IB BM EE topics that span across different aspects of business management.

From organizational culture and leadership dynamics to financial management and even diving into some of the most buzzing modern business trends of current years, we’ve got you covered.

Whether you’re fascinated by the impact of AI in finance or curious about how businesses are tackling sustainability, these topics are designed to spark your interest and guide your research.

No more long introductions; let me go straight to the Business Management extended essay topics list.

Business Management EE Topics

Here are nine topics and corresponding research questions for each subcategory, starting from organizational culture and leadership.

Impact of Leadership Styles on Organizational Culture

Topic: The Effect of Transformational Leadership on Organizational Culture in Tech Startups

Research Question: How does transformational leadership impact the organizational culture in emerging tech startups?

Topic: Autocratic Leadership and Its Influence on Corporate Culture in Traditional Manufacturing Companies

Research Question: What is the impact of autocratic leadership on the organizational culture within established manufacturing companies?

Topic: Comparing the Effects of Democratic and Laissez-Faire Leadership Styles on Organizational Culture in Non-Profit Organizations

Research Question: How do democratic and laissez-faire leadership styles differently influence organizational culture in non-profit organizations?

The Role of Organizational Culture in Mergers and Acquisitions

Topic: Cultural Integration Challenges in Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions

Research Question: What are the key challenges of cultural integration in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, and how do they affect the success of the merger?

Topic: The Impact of Organizational Culture on Employee Retention During Mergers in the Banking Sector

Research Question: How does organizational culture influence employee retention during mergers in the banking industry?

Topic: Assessing the Role of Organizational Culture in the Success of Mergers and Acquisitions in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Research Question: What role does organizational culture play in determining the success of mergers and acquisitions in the pharmaceutical sector?

How Leadership Adaptation Influences Employee Morale and Productivity

Topic: Leadership Adaptation in Remote Work Environments and Its Impact on Employee Morale

Research Question: How does leadership adaptation in remote work settings affect employee morale?

Topic: The Effect of Adaptive Leadership in Times of Organizational Change on Employee Productivity

Research Question: In what ways does adaptive leadership during organizational change impact employee productivity?

Topic: Evaluating the Influence of Leadership Adaptation Strategies in Multicultural Organizations on Employee Productivity

Research Question: How do leadership adaptation strategies in multicultural organizations influence employee productivity?

Alright, after exploring how leadership shapes a company’s culture, let’s shift our focus to marketing. It’s a whole different ball game where creativity meets strategy, and we’re going to see how businesses reach out to their customers and build their brands.

Marketing Strategies

Effectiveness of Social Media Marketing in Small Businesses

Topic: Social Media Marketing Strategies and Their Success Rate in Local Cafés and Restaurants

Research Question: How effective are social media marketing strategies in enhancing customer engagement and sales in local cafés and restaurants?

Consumer Response to Green Marketing Practices

Topic: The Impact of Green Marketing on Consumer Purchasing Decisions in the Cosmetics Industry

Research Question: How do green marketing practices influence consumer purchasing decisions in the cosmetics industry?

The Impact of Branding on Customer Loyalty in the Retail Sector

Topic: Branding Strategies and Customer Loyalty in Fast Fashion Retailers

Research Question: How do branding strategies affect customer loyalty in the fast fashion retail sector?

Now, moving on from the flashy world of marketing, it’s time to talk about the backbone of any business – its people. Human Resources isn’t just about hiring and firing; it’s about nurturing a workforce that can take a company to new heights.

Human Resources Management

The Influence of Employee Training Programs on Organizational Efficiency

Topic: The Effectiveness of Digital Skills Training Programs on Employee Performance in IT Companies

Research Question: How do digital skills training programs influence employee performance and organizational efficiency in IT companies?

Strategies for Managing Workplace Diversity

Topic: Diversity Management Strategies and Their Impact on Team Performance in Multinational Corporations

Research Question: What is the impact of diversity management strategies on team performance in multinational corporations?

The Role of Motivational Theories in Employee Retention

Topic: Application of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in Employee Retention Strategies in the Hospitality Industry

Research Question: How does the application of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in employee retention strategies affect staff turnover in the hospitality industry?

Next up, let’s talk ethics and social responsibility. This is where businesses show they’re about more than just profits. It’s about doing the right thing and making a positive impact on society and the environment.

Corporate Ethics and Social Responsibility

ontinuing in the same vein, here are topics and research questions for the categories of Corporate Ethics and Social Responsibility, and Globalization and International Business:

The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Brand Image

Topic: Analyzing the Influence of CSR Initiatives on Consumer Perceptions in the Fast-Food Industry

Research Question: How do corporate social responsibility initiatives impact brand image and consumer loyalty in the fast-food industry?

Ethical Considerations in Advertising Campaigns

Topic: The Ethics of Emotional Appeals in Children’s Advertising

Research Question: What are the ethical implications of using emotional appeals in advertising targeted at children, and how does this affect brand reputation ?

Business Responses to Environmental Sustainability Challenges

Topic: Sustainable Practices and Their Impact on Corporate Performance in the Automotive Industry

Research Question: How have environmental sustainability challenges shaped the operational practices of companies in the automotive industry, and what has been the impact on their corporate performance?

From the moral compass of businesses, we’re now stepping into the global arena. International business is a complex and exciting field, where cultures collide and businesses expand beyond borders.

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Globalization and International Business

Challenges and Strategies of Entering New International Markets

Topic: Market Entry Strategies and Challenges for Retail Businesses Expanding into Emerging Markets

Research Question: What are the key challenges and effective strategies for retail businesses entering emerging international markets?

The Impact of Globalization on Small Local Businesses

Topic: The Effects of Global E-Commerce Giants on Local Retail Businesses

Research Question: How has the rise of global e-commerce platforms impacted the survival and strategies of small local retail businesses?

Cross-Cultural Communication and Its Effect on Business Negotiations

Topic: The Role of Cross-Cultural Communication in Successful International Business Partnerships

Research Question: How does effective cross-cultural communication influence the outcomes of business negotiations in international partnerships?

After looking at the big picture of global business, it’s time to zoom in on the numbers. Financial management and accounting are crucial for any business to thrive, especially in today’s fast-paced economic environment.

Financial Management and Accounting

Continuing with the topics and research questions for Financial Management and Accounting, and Operations Management:

Analysis of Risk Management in Investment Decisions

Topic: Risk Management Strategies in Cryptocurrency Investments

Research Question: How do modern risk management strategies impact investment decisions in the volatile cryptocurrency market?

The Role of Financial Planning in Business Growth

Topic: Financial Planning and Its Impact on SME Expansion

Research Question: What role does strategic financial planning play in the growth and expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)?

Comparative Study of Traditional vs. Digital Accounting Practices

Topic: The Transition from Traditional to Digital Accounting: A Comparative Analysis

Research Question: How does the transition from traditional to digital accounting practices affect the efficiency and accuracy of financial reporting in medium-sized enterprises?

And from the world of numbers and spreadsheets, let’s move to the action-packed area of operations. This is where plans and strategies become real products and services, the real nuts and bolts of a business.

Operations Management

Efficiency of Lean Management Techniques in Manufacturing

Topic: Implementing Lean Manufacturing Techniques in the Automotive Industry

Research Question: How do lean management techniques improve operational efficiency and product quality in the automotive manufacturing industry?

The Role of Technology in Supply Chain Management

Topic: The Impact of Blockchain Technology on Supply Chain Transparency

Research Question: How is blockchain technology transforming supply chain management practices, particularly in terms of transparency and efficiency?

Quality Control Measures and Their Impact on Consumer Satisfaction

Topic: Quality Control in the Pharmaceutical Industry and Its Effect on Consumer Trust

Research Question: How do quality control measures in the pharmaceutical industry impact consumer satisfaction and trust?

These topics are designed to delve into key aspects of Financial Management and Accounting, and Operations Management, offering a platform for in-depth analysis and exploration.

Alright, let’s switch gears and look at what’s happening in the business world right now. We’re moving into areas like artificial intelligence, sustainability, and the gig economy. These are the hot topics that are really defining how businesses operate and succeed in our current times.

It’s all about staying ahead and being in tune with the latest trends and technologies.

Modern BM Extended essay topics

A list of 12 contemporary and engaging topics for a Business Management Extended Essay, each accompanied by a relevant research question.

These topics are tailored to reflect modern business trends and issues:

Research Question: How is artificial intelligence transforming decision-making processes in major financial institutions?
Research Question: How are leading fashion brands integrating sustainability strategies to address environmental concerns?
Research Question: How is virtual reality technology being used to enhance customer experience and engagement in retail businesses?
Research Question: What factors contribute to the success of subscription-based business models in the entertainment industry?
Research Question: How does influencer marketing impact consumer purchasing decisions in the beauty industry?
Research Question: How are corporations adapting their employment structures in response to the rise of the gig economy?
Research Question: What impact do remote work policies have on employee productivity and well-being in IT companies?
Research Question: What are the opportunities and challenges presented by the adoption of blockchain technology in supply chain management?
Research Question: How are businesses adapting their marketing strategies to cope with changes in social media algorithms?
Research Question: How do ethical and sustainable practices influence consumer attitudes and choices in the fast food industry?
Research Question: How is big data being utilized for personalized marketing strategies in e-commerce platforms?
Research Question: What crisis management strategies were effective for hospitality businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic?

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business management extended essay ideas

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Wrapping up!

And there you have it! We’ve journeyed through various Business Management topics, each offering a unique lens to view and analyze the business world.

Whether you were drawn to the traditional aspects of business like marketing strategies and human resources, or found yourself intrigued by the challenges of globalization and the latest trends in the business sphere, we hope this list has given you the inspiration and direction you need for your Extended Essay.

And always remember, the key to an excellent business management extended essay is not just choosing the right topic , but also bringing your own curiosity and perspective to it.

So, pick a topic that resonates with you, dive into the research, and let your insights shine.

Free topic suggestions

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Vasyl Kafidoff is a co-founder and CEO at WritingMetier. He is interested in education and how modern technology makes it more accessible. He wants to bring awareness about new learning possibilities as an educational specialist. When Vasy is not working, he’s found behind a drum kit.

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IB Business Management Extended Essay: The Complete Guide

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The extended essay in business management requires you to demonstrate your ability to analyze commercial activities at different economy levels.

A business management extended essay requires you to choose a topic, develop a research question, conduct in-depth research, and write a critically analyzed argument with credible data and evidence.

In this guide, we look at the research question, structure, assessment criteria, grade descriptors, and tips you can use to write a high quality EE report in business management.

Research Question

An extended essay research question is important because the entire business management report hinges on it.

A good RQ for this report should align with the scope, concepts and techniques, research materials, usefulness and application, and engagement in the subject.

1. Focus on the Scope of the Topic

Scope refers to the breadth of the topic you choose.

Don’t select a topic that lacks sufficient materials to cover the 4,000 words limit. Instead, select a highly specific business management EE topic , one for which you can find sufficient information to write a more comprehensive report.

Then come up with a research question that aligns with it.

2. Apply Business Concepts and Techniques

Develop a research question for which you can apply business analysis methods, terminologies, and techniques you’ve learned in the classroom.

Ensure the question has a tight link to the syllabus while allowing you to draw direct link to theoretical concepts taught in the business management course.

Your task here isn’t to show off your knowledge. Your teacher expects you to prove you understand and can apply what you’ve learned.

3. Ensure Availability of Research Materials

Ignore a research question that lacks depth of materials and knowledge base to warrant a 4,000-word treatment.

If you can’t access highly relevant records or useful research data for the question, look for a different one.

4. Make Your RQ Useful and Applicable

Ensure your RQ, or issue, is relevant and applicable to the current business environment.

You must draw your inspiration only from journals and newspapers that give you current ideas.

5. Make Your Research Question Engaging

Don’t develop a research issue based only on the merit of ease and personal interest.

Focus on something you’ve actually investigated or have always wanted to research. By doing so, you’ll have an easy time fulfilling the engagement part of the grading criteria.

IB Business Management Extended Essay Structure

The structure of a business management extended essay features a title page, table of contents, introduction, methodology, body, conclusion, and bibliography.

The title page doesn’t contribute to the overall world count of the EE. However, the title page is an import part of the structure because it includes the following significant information:

Title: It should not be a question but a clear, summarized statement of the research question.
Research Question: Write the RQ in this part.
Subject: The subject should be “Business Management”.
Word Count: Indicate the number of words in your essay.

Don’t write your name, candidate name, date, or school name on the title page, as they’re no longer part of the new structure.

Table of Content

Table of contents is also not part of the word count, but it’s an essential part of the assignment. Include all the parts of your business management EE in this section with their respective page numbers.

Introduction (About 250 Words)

Your introduction should provide a clear context for your research question.

Describe why your research is interesting, as well as why it’s important to your audience.
Ensure your audience understands what you’ll be exploring, how you intend to explore your research question, and how valuable your research is to them.

Methodology (About 350 Words)

Divide the methodology in two parts, one for the source and one the other one for the tools. Also, ensure you mention the limitations and drawbacks of these sources and tools.

Sources: State and explain the primary and secondary sources of your research. The sources can include news articles, company annual reports, magazine articles, and encyclopedia. Include the benefits and drawback of each source, keeping in mind that a majority of your research should come from secondary sources.
Tools: State the tools you’ll use for analysis, discussion, and evaluation. Explain why you’re going to use these tools and how relevant they’re to your business management assignment. Mention any changes to your toolset should there be any, along with an explanation on why such changes were necessary.

Main Body (About 2800 Words)

The main body of the business management extended essay is at most 2,800 words long. It’s in this section that you share your research, analysis, discussion, and evaluation.

Divide the main body into two sections, one for the tools and the other for your research:

Tools: Show your teacher you know how to do what you’ve learned in a business management class.
Research: Make an impression with your research, even if it goes beyond what you’ve learned in the classroom.

Each paragraph should relate to the research question. Therefore, the analysis, discussion, and evaluation have to include relevant tools and research.

The conclusion ties everything together to show what you’ve done to answer your research question. Mention the limitation of your research and explain any other unresolved question.

However, the conclusion of your EE shouldn’t introduce new ideas (ideas you haven’t addressed in the body parts of the essay.

Bibliography

Aim for 3 or 4 pages of sources for the bibliography. However, keep in mind that the bibliography isn’t part of your word count.

Business Management EE Rubric

IB evaluates business management extended essays based on the following 5 criteria:

Focus and method
Knowledge and understanding
Critical thinking
Presentation

The grades range from A to E, with the top grade having a maximum of 34 points and anything worse than a C being a fail.

While the professional judgment of selected instructors can affect your grades, these descriptors used to determine the actual grade that you get in the end.

Criterion A: Focus and Method

Criterion A examines how unique, focused, intelligent, and analytical you’re when using techniques learned in the course and outside the classroom.

Evaluators expect you to demonstrate your scholastic ability to apply theories in practical situations, come up with answers to you research issue, and offer a possible solution to the problem at hand.

To score a 6 for focus and method:

Develop a clear, focused research question.
Use secondary sources for topic research.
Support your arguments with relevant, recent, and credible evidence or data.
Develop a well-organized, logical methodology leading up to your conclusions.

Criteria B: Knowledge and Understanding

Knowledge and understanding focuses on not only how much you’ve learned in the course but also how well you can apply the concepts taught in class to the real world.

To show a business-oriented thinking, use business terminologies.

You can use abstract concepts in the paper, but you should also add thorough explanation your process using a simple language that readers can understand.

Diagrams and charts can help explain concepts that would be hard to explain in words, but it’s important to explain each so that your ideas are clear.

As you explain business trends linked to your research topic, ensure your ideas follow an analytical process while remaining grounded in the case you’re exploring.

Criteria C: Critical Thinking

To score high on this criterion, show a unique application of business concepts, technique, theories, and methods to analyze the problem under investigation.

Back your argument with in-depth, credible research.
Be self-critical, making sure you evaluate the accuracy and reliability of your sources.
Comment on the gaps or weaknesses your arguments don’t solve and suggest what you think researchers can do to solve these issues.
Use the analytical techniques learned in the course to follow up every point you make in your business management extended essay.

Criterion D: Presentation

The presentation criterion looks at how well you organize and communicate your ideas. The common academic standards evaluated include:

A clear and easy to understand language
Clearly labeled charts, graphs, figures, and images
A well-structured essay with headings and subheadings

Criterion E: Engagement

Criterion E evaluates how you engage with the research topic based on the subject’s intersection in your life.

Avoid using a third-person perspective because doing so will earn you few points.

Quite instances of personal interactions instead, and show that the research question you choose is relevant to you and others.

Extended Essay Grade Descriptors

The following are the grade descriptors used for IB Business Management Extended Essay:

Descriptor A

To get an A, you must have a clear research question, conduct relevant research, and demonstrate expert knowledge and understanding of the materials taught in the classroom.

Also, show a comprehensive engagement to and explanation of the problem.

Your extended essay in business management should feature a logical, structural layout, include key reflections, and have relevant, accurate conclusions.

Descriptor B

To score a B, you need to demonstrate good knowledge of research, appropriate research skill, and a reasonable application of the business concepts and techniques learned in the classroom.

Also, offer a synthesis of an effective research question, a satisfactory presentation, and conclusion supported by evidence presented in the IB business management extended essay.

Descriptor C

Students who score a C for their extended essay in business management are those who display some knowledge and understanding of the key concepts involved, including reasonable application of the topic.

However, the essay fails to synthesize the research question, it offers descriptive instead of an evaluative discussion, there are errors in the arguments use, and structure used is poor.

Descriptor D

Business management extended essays that score a D reflect poor research that lead to a general focus.

Although the essay shows some relevant knowledge of the topic, the content is full of discrepancies and inaccuracies.

In addition to the lack of a logical structure and coherent readability, the essay lacks a critical evaluation of the topic and the conclusions are inconsistent.

Descriptor E

An E is the grade awarded to an unclear essay with an unsystematic approach. The essay lacks a clear focus because it portrays limited knowledge of key concept, not to mention it has an inconsistent analysis and an inaccurate conclusion.

Tips to Write a Compelling IB Business Management Extended Essay

1. Choose Your Research Question

The research question for your IB Business Management Extended essay should not be practical or actionable.

This is applicable only in the Internal Assessment.

Also, make your research question focused, not too broad and not to narrow. While you should be asking relatively simple questions, make sure they aren’t too obvious.

2. Formatting Your Work

Your IB teacher will also look into how you format your work. So it’s important to make sure you get this right from the start.

Use the Times New Roman font type and 12-point font size. Double space your work and make sure every page has a number.

3. Citing Sources

You need to cite all the sources you use in writing your IB Business Management Extended Essay. You can use any citation format, but it’s preferable to MLA.

And don’t worry if you find citing sources somewhat confusing. Our guide on sources and citation should be enough to point you in the right direction.

4. Sticking to the Word Count

Your piece of research should not exceed 4,000 words.

Even if you feel like you have a lot to write to make your ideas clear , you should trim down during revision if your work is more than 4,000 words already.

5. Write a Great Reflection

The reflection for your IB Business Management Extended essay is not only important as the other parts of the assignment.

It’s also about 18% of the total grade. So you should give it your best shot.

6. Edit Your Work Thoroughly

Reading a 4,000-word IB Business Management Extended Essay after spending so many hours writing it can be rather boring and much less time consuming.

But doing so is the only way to make sure your essay is good enough for submission and ready for marking.

Look out for grammar and spelling mistakes and fix them. Use a tool such as Grammarly to make your work easier
Rewrite longer sentences, making them short and concise.
Don’t hesitate to trim down word count in a sentence if you can say the same thing but in fewer words
Do parts of your essay sound redundant? Delete them, regardless of where they appear in the essay
Have you used a source you haven’t cited? Go back and fix the error

Editing your work thoroughly isn’t the fun part of working on an IB Business Management Extended Essay. However, it goes a long way to make your essay read better.

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