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Business Management Extended Essay Guide
A guide to writing a focused, analytical IB Business Management Extended Essay using real companies and business tools.
What is a Business Management Extended Essay?
The Business Management Extended Essay (EE) is one of the most challenging and rewarding parts of the IB Diploma. Below you will find everything you need to choose a strong topic, design your methodology, and write a high-scoring EE in Business Management.
Word Count
3,500 – 4,000 words
Excluding bibliography, abstract, and appendices. Budget every section carefully before you start writing.
Assessment
Graded A–E
Combined with the TOK essay for up to 3 bonus IB Diploma points. A strong EE and TOK = maximum bonus.
Timeline
12–18 months
From initial topic to final submission. Most students underestimate this. Start early and plan backwards from your deadline.
Supervision
3 required meetings
Initial, interim, and final (viva voce). Each requires an RPPF reflection. Your supervisor approves your RQ.
Strong Business Management EE Topic Ideas
| Topic Idea | Why It Works | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| To what extent has Tesla’s vertical integration strategy given it a sustainable competitive advantage in the EV market? | Strategy analysis, real company data, clear tools | Medium |
| How effective has Starbucks’ localisation strategy been in China compared to its global standardisation model? | International strategy, primary/secondary data | Medium |
| To what extent is Patagonia’s B-Corp business model financially sustainable in the long term? | CSR, financial analysis, sustainability | Hard |
| How has Apple’s premium pricing strategy affected its market share in India (2018–2023)? | Pricing strategy, market data, developing market | Medium |
| To what extent has remote working improved employee productivity and wellbeing at [specific company]? | HRM, primary research possible, contemporary | Easy |
| How effective has IKEA’s cost leadership strategy been in maintaining profitability during the 2021–2023 supply chain crisis? | Operations management, current case study | Medium |
Subject-Specific Advice
Business Tools
Apply them — do not just describe
SWOT, PESTLE, Porter’s Five Forces, ratio analysis, Boston Matrix. Apply the tool to your specific company and evaluate what it reveals. Generic frameworks without company-specific application earn few marks.
Primary Research
Surveys and interviews
If possible, conduct a survey of customers or employees of your chosen company. Primary data distinguishes your EE from others doing the same company.
Financial Data
Use real financial figures
Annual reports, financial databases (Yahoo Finance, Macrotrends), and company investor relations pages provide real revenue, profit margin, and growth data.
Evaluation
Balance of argument
Present both the strengths and weaknesses of the strategy or decision. One-sided essays always score in the lower mark bands.
Assessment & Common Mistakes
Assessed on: business knowledge, application of tools, use of evidence, and quality of evaluation. A strong BM EE applies multiple business tools to real company data and evaluates findings critically — it does not just summarise what a company does.
⚠ Common Pitfall
Students often choose a company they like personally and write admiringly about it rather than critically. The Business EE requires critical evaluation — identifying both why a strategy has succeeded and what its limitations, risks, or weaknesses are.
Business Management EE Checklist
- ✓ My RQ is specific to one company, one strategy/decision, and a defined time period
- ✓ I apply at least 2 named business tools/frameworks with company-specific analysis
- ✓ I use real financial or market data from annual reports or databases
- ✓ I evaluate the strategy critically — strengths AND limitations
- ✓ If possible, I have collected primary data (survey, interview)
- ✓ My conclusion directly answers the RQ with a supported business judgement
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