Choosing the perfect topic for your IB Business Management IA (Internal Assessment) is crucial. The right topic not only makes your IA easier to complete but also increases your chances of scoring highly. In this guide, we’ll provide 10 inspiring IA topic examples, clearly linked to key IB concepts—Change, Creativity, Ethics, and Sustainability—and explain exactly why these topics could earn top marks.
Why Your IA Topic Matters
Your IA accounts for 20% (HL) or 30% (SL) of your final IB grade, making topic choice critical. A strong topic is specific, researchable, and clearly linked to one of the IB’s four key concepts:
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Change
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Creativity
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Ethics
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Sustainability
Below, we’ll explore topic examples for each concept, crafted to meet IB standards using the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timed).
Topics Focused on Change
1. Digital Inventory Implementation
Research Question: To what extent should Café Latte implement a digital inventory management system to improve operational efficiency following a 20% rise in customer orders?
Why It Scores High: Specific and measurable (“20% rise”), links clearly to operational change, uses clear metrics for success (efficiency).
2. Shift to Remote Work
Research Question: Should TechWave Ltd. permanently shift 40% of its workforce to remote working following increased productivity observed during recent remote work trials?
Why It Scores High: Clearly defined context, measurable results (40%), examines internal operational change.
Topics Focused on Creativity
3. Gamified Customer Loyalty Program
Research Question: To what extent should SportsGear Co. adopt a gamified mobile app to enhance customer loyalty and increase repeat purchases by 15%?
Why It Scores High: Clear creative innovation, measurable objective (15% increase), specific to customer engagement.
4. Personalized Product Offerings
Research Question: Should HealthyBites integrate personalized subscription boxes to increase market share among health-conscious millennials by 10%?
Why It Scores High: Creativity clearly targeted at customer segmentation, measurable outcome, innovative marketing strategy.
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Topics Focused on Ethics
5. Ethical Sourcing Decision
Research Question: Should StyleTrend switch to ethically sourced suppliers despite an anticipated 12% increase in production costs?
Why It Scores High: Ethical issue clearly outlined, financial implications measurable, relates directly to stakeholder impacts.
6. Transparency in Advertising
Research Question: To what extent should FoodFast Co. revise its advertising practices to enhance transparency and consumer trust following recent criticism?
Why It Scores High: Clearly ethical issue, specific stakeholder impact, measurable through consumer trust metrics.
Topics Focused on Sustainability
7. Renewable Energy Investment
Research Question: Should EcoPrint invest in solar energy installations to reduce operational costs by 20% within three years?
Why It Scores High: Clear sustainability issue, measurable outcomes, strategic long-term perspective.
8. Sustainable Packaging
Research Question: To what extent should FreshGrocer adopt biodegradable packaging solutions to address increasing environmental concerns and customer preferences?
Why It Scores High: Sustainability directly tied to consumer trends, measurable through customer satisfaction and sales.
Additional Strong IB Business Management IA Topic Examples
9. Employee Motivation Strategies
Research Question: Should BrightTech implement Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory to reduce staff turnover rates by 15% in the next fiscal year?
Why It Scores High: Integrates clear theoretical framework, measurable and relevant HR issue.
10. Pricing Strategy Revision
Research Question: To what extent should FitTrack Co. adjust its pricing strategy to improve profit margins by 10% amidst increasing competition?
Why It Scores High: Directly related to profitability, measurable financial outcomes, clear strategic importance.
How to Make These Topics Work for You
Once you’ve picked a topic, ensure you:
Collect strong, varied supporting documents (e.g., sales data, market reports, interviews).
Apply relevant business theories and tools effectively (e.g., SWOT analysis, Herzberg’s theory, break-even analysis).
Clearly link your analysis back to your chosen key concept throughout your IA.
Final Thoughts
Selecting your IB Business Management IA topic is your first and perhaps most crucial step. The examples above, aligned with IB guidelines, provide a great starting point. Ready to craft a top-scoring IA? Our comprehensive IB Business Management IA Guide is now included in your Elite IB Student Membership—packed with examples, step-by-step structures, and expert tips to guide you from start to finish. For more information about the business management IA, go to https://ibo.org/
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