N17/3/BUSMT/SP1/ENG/TZ0/XX/M
Markscheme
November 2017
Business management
Standard level
Paper 1
9 pages
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This markscheme is the property of the International
Baccalaureate and must not be reproduced or distributed
to any other person without the authorization of the IB
Global Centre, Cardiff.
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The markbands on pages 3–4 should be used where indicated in the markscheme.
Section A Level descriptor
Q1 (b) Q2 (b) Q3 (b)
Marks
0 The work does not reach a standard described by the
descriptors below.
1–2 Little knowledge and understanding of relevant issues
and business management tools (where applicable),
techniques and theories.
Little use of business management terminology.
Little reference to the stimulus material.
3–4 A description or partial analysis of some relevant issues
with some use of business management tools (where
applicable), techniques and theories.
Some use of appropriate terminology.
Some reference to the stimulus material that goes
beyond the name of a person(s) and/or the name of the
organization.
At the lower end of the markband, responses are mainly
theoretical.
5–6 An analysis of the relevant issues with good use of
business management tools (where applicable),
techniques and theories.
Use of appropriate terminology throughout the response.
Effective use of the stimulus material.
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Section B Level descriptor
Q4 (d)
Marks
0 The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1–2 Little understanding of the demands of the question.
Few business management tools (where applicable), techniques and
theories are explained or applied, and business management
terminology is lacking.
Little reference to the stimulus material.
3–4 Some understanding of the demands of the question.
Some relevant business management tools (where applicable),
techniques and theories are explained or applied, and some
appropriate terminology is used.
Some reference to the stimulus material but often not going beyond
the name of a person(s) and/or the name of the organization.
5–6 Understanding of most of the demands of the question.
Relevant business management tools (where applicable), techniques
and theories are explained and applied, and appropriate terminology is
used most of the time.
Some reference to the stimulus material that goes beyond the name of
a person(s) and/or the name of the organization.
Some evidence of a balanced response.
Some judgments are relevant but not substantiated.
7–8 Good understanding of the demands of the question.
Relevant business management tools (where applicable), techniques
and theories are explained and applied well, and appropriate
terminology is used.
Good reference to the stimulus material.
Good evidence of a balanced response.
The judgments are relevant but not always well substantiated.
9–10 Good understanding of the demands of the question, including
implications, where relevant.
Relevant business management tools (where applicable), techniques
and theories are explained clearly and applied purposefully, and
appropriate terminology is used throughout the response.
Effective use of the stimulus material in a way that significantly
strengthens the response.
Evidence of balance is consistent throughout the response.
The judgments are relevant and well substantiated.
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Section A
1. (a) Describe two advantages to MSS of being a charity (line 14). [4]
Advantages to MSS include:
land being donated – unlikely if not a charity
grants – usually only available for charities
books being donated
the management being able to focus on their mission rather than profits, which
may make the mission and vision more attractive to potential students/parents
possible tax advantages
Accept any other reasonable description.
Award [1] for each advantage, up to a total of [2].
Award [1] for putting the advantage into context, up to a total of [2].
(b) Explain how the school could overcome high labour turnover. [6]
Key aspects leading to high labour turnover are:
poor accommodation
having to teach only in English
no career development
no professional development
standard pay scales.
Solutions likely to come from these including higher wages, more levels of
hierarchy, access to new technology, staff involvement.
Explanation/analysis will come from discussing these and any other relevant
issue. Candidates do not need to discuss these in relation to motivation theories,
such as Maslow, Herzberg, Taylor, Adams or Pink but these could be rewarded.
Accept any other reasonable explanation.
Award a maximum of [3] for a theoretical answer or for only analysing one
method/idea.
Award a maximum of [5] if the analysis of two or more methods/ideas is mainly
descriptive but in context.
Only award [6] if the answer takes into account constraints on methods/ideas eg
limited finance, being a charity etc.
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2. (a) Describe two features of the school’s marketing mix (line 54). [4]
Context: The marketing mix can apply to: the IT centre, the product of an
education for girls, boarding, a better school environment than most schools, and
a humanitarian award.
Features include:
promotion by means of effective communication with customers
a coordinated marketing mix
branding based on the humanitarian award and the mission of the school
the school and its location, which is the product and is differentiated from
similar organizations
Product: school environment, ethos, extra curricula activities, boarding school,
other aspects of service.
Remember: Place is about distribution, not location and is unlikely to apply
to MSS.
Accept any other reasonable description. (eg at HL can accept the 7Ps)
For each feature: Award [1] for identifying the feature and [1] for relevant
application to MSS.
(b) Explain, with reference to MSS, the purpose of the mission and vision statements
(line 37). [6]
A mission statement is a statement of the purpose of an organization, in this
instance providing an education for girls. It should refer to the key market
(parents of girls), the contribution it makes to that market and what makes the
service unique, so that the client chooses the school. The school’s ethics may
play a part in this.
A vision statement is a statement of an organization’s overall objectives designed
to aid decision making. In this instance it will refer to future plans for growth and
facilities.
Mission statements and vision statements fulfill different purposes. A mission
statement describes an organization’s purpose and answers the questions “What
business are we in?” and “What is our business for?”. A vision statement
provides strategic direction and describes what the owner or founder wants the
company to achieve in the future.
Accept any other reasonable explanation.
Award a maximum of [3] for a theoretical answer.
Award a maximum of [4] if either only one of mission statement or vision
statement are addressed in context.
Award a maximum of [5] if the analysis is mainly descriptive but in context.
If there is confusion between mission statement and vision statement but there is
some understanding shown of the concepts award a maximum of [4] if in context
and [2] if no context. If the statements are not explained but purposes developed
also award max [4].
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3. (a) Describe one capital expenditure and one revenue expenditure for MSS
(lines 1617) [4]
Capital expenditure could include: buildings, computers, books, equipment.
Revenue expenditure could include: wages, materials, electricity, marketing, etc.
Pens, paper and other consumables are revenue expenditure even if bought
in bulk.
Accept any other reasonable expenditures.
For each capital expenditure: Award [1] for identifying the expenditure and [1] for
relevant application to MSS.
For each revenue expenditure: Award [1] for identifying the expenditure and [1]
for relevant application to MSS.
(b) Explain a suitable promotional mix that MSS might use to attract new students. [6]
Relevant context:
MSS is a charity so has a limited promotion budget
the school is in a remote area, which has an impact on the choice
ethical considerations
USP considerations
suitable methods
is the promotion for the local area or in the cities? The outcome might be
different for each.
Above the line methods:
advertising, but where?
Below the line:
sales promotion. How? Two for the price of one might apply to siblings.
public relations. For a small school? Where?
exhibitions, etc. But the school is remote.
word of mouth. Probably the most likely in a remote location.
can also include social media in below the line.
Remember: This question is about a “mix” of promotional activities and therefore
needs more than one promotional activity.
Accept any other reasonable explanation.
Analysis should come from explaining how the methods can achieve
the objective.
Award a maximum of [3] for a theoretical answer.
Award a maximum of [4] if the explanation is limited to only one promotional
activity in context.
Award a maximum of [5] if the answer is purely descriptive but in context.
A judgement/recommendation is not needed for [6].
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Section B
4. (a) Define the term economies of scale (line 36). [2]
The reduction in average costs that result from an increase in the scale of
production.
Candidates are not expected to word their definition exactly as above.
Award [2] for a complete definition.
Award [1] for some understanding of economies of scale, eg no reference to
average costs.
(b) Explain one advantage and one disadvantage for Jacob of using convenience
sampling. [4]
Context:
Jacob is a busy man
The school has limited resources
The school is in a remote location
Advantages: Cheap method, and he’s concerned with cash flow, easy – can he
spare teachers’ time spent on this?
Disadvantages: Biased, might ask wrong people, difficult to focus, sample may
not represent people in Dodoma.
Award [1] for an advantage and award a second mark if the advantage is put into
context.
Award [1] for a disadvantage and award a second mark if the disadvantage is put
into context.
(c) (i) Calculate the value of X and the value of Y in Table 1. [2]
X = 21 + 5 – 5 – 4 = 17
= 17 – 11 = 6
Y = 11 – 5 – 3 – 5 = –2
Award [1] for each correct answer.
Accept 6000 and –2000
Accept the presence or absence of unit
Note: negative results may also be presented in brackets, so accept (2) and (2000) in
the sense –2 and –2000
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(ii) With reference to Table 1, explain one way in which MSS could improve
cash flow. [2]
Two possibilities:
Get incomes earlier – possible with fees but not with the sale of crops,
which is seasonal.
Delay expenditures – get credit from some suppliers
Do not credit “seek more donations” or “more promotion/marketing”.
Award [1] for a method to improve cash flow and [1] for applying this method
to MSS.
(d) Discuss the difference in leadership style between Jacob and Mrs K. [10]
Jacob: Seems to delegate. Good at listening and learning, and gains loyalty from
his staff. Fulfils role as a negotiator and is the main force for change. These fit in
well with management roles with interpersonal, informational and decisional
features. Shows traits of democratic and Theory Y.
Mrs K: Seems to be autocratic, with a Theory X approach. Focuses on day-to-
day decisions rather than strategy, so is more of a manager than a leader.
Limited in terms of management roles.
The question asks for a discussion of the difference between the two leadership styles.
It is not enough to only describe, explain or evaluate Jacob’s leadership style then Mrs K’s
leadership style one after the other.
Accept reasonable alternative answers.
Marks should be allocated according to the mark bands on page 4.
Award a maximum of [4] for a purely theoretical answer or with no effective use
of case material.
Award a maximum of [6] if both people are considered but there is limited discussion of the
differences between the two styles.
For full marks both people should be considered, data used effectively, and a
clear discussion drawn based on theories.
