IB Business and Management IA example: Should Starbucks continue to focus on corporate social responsibility to increase its profits?

Exemplars

Review

Tutoring

Schools

Research question

Business and Management-HL

Fully verified

May 2024

Current Syllabus

Examiner's summary

Criterion A

5/5

The student has correctly identified the key concept of ethics and has clearly indicated it on the title page. The research question is forward-looking and focuses on whether the continuation of Starbucks' CSR measures is a good choice. The student bases the investigation on Starbucks and relates it to the importance of ethical branding and how Starbucks has focused on it. The student provides background information about Starbucks and a clear outline of the issue under investigation. However, the methodology used to investigate this issue is not clearly explained. Overall, the student has effectively described and analyzed the connection between the key concept of ethics and Starbucks throughout the IA.

Criterion B

2/4

The student includes three to five supporting documents, which is correct. The supporting documents are labeled clearly and are relevant and sufficiently in-depth. However, the student may want to consider using more contemporary sources and highlight the parts of each supporting document that relate directly to their IA. Additionally, an assessment of the validity and reliability of the supporting documents is missing, which the student is advised to include by commenting on the benefits and drawbacks of each document. Overall, the student has chosen supporting documents that provide a range of ideas and views regarding the topic, which will be helpful in answering the research question.