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BUSINESS & ORGANISATION

INTRODUCTION

An Extended Essay in Business & Organisation is intended to provide students with an opportunity to undertake an in depth study of an organisational activity or activities.

CHOICE OF TOPIC

Any form of organisation(s) may be used such as school, charity, government body, hospital, business. It is wise to concentrate on a limited number of organisational activities within one organisation. Choose a topic that will require personal research related to an actual organisation. The title of the Extended Essay should indicate a specific focus with reference to an organisational activity (or activities) and, if appropriate, an actual organisation (or organisations).

The following examples are intended as guidance only.

Communicating corporate objectives to the staff at XYZ XYZ: The benefits of effective leadership. Comparing approaches to school responsibility in ABC and XYZ. XYZ: An analysis of a recent industrial dispute. XYZ: the relationship between motivation and quality. New product development at XYZ.

TREATMENT OF THE TOPIC


Advise from supervisor is needed when undertaking practical activities in search of material for the essay. In all organisations, there is a need for tact, sensitivity to other people, respect of confidentiality, and frequently a declaration to maintain secrecy. Health and safety and even insurance need to be thought about in advance of commencing the search.
The essay must use selected financial, accounting and/or statistical techniques to support the discussion. Examples include conventional accounting forms, break-even charts, financial performance ratios, statistical presentations, and stuctured and titled tables/charts/diagrams.
The essay should be written in the form of a useful working document which might be valuable to the decision-makers within an organisation. If a topic that involves personal research is not chosen, then it is essential that the essay draws upon examples from secondary sources (that is, documented case studies).
In most essays it will be appropriate to examine the role of selected individuals and groups, however, it is expected that in some Extended Essays the examination of both may not be appropriate.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

J To what extent does the candidate relate theoretical aspects of organisational activity to an actual case study (or case studies)?

Achievement Level

0 Theoretical and/or actual principles of organisation are stated, but not related to a case study (or studies).

1 Theoretical and/or actual principles of organisation are related to a case study (or studies), some of which are appropriate.

2 Theoretical and actual principles of organisation are related to a case study (or studies), most of which are appropriate.

3 Theoretical and actual principles of organisation are related to a case study (or studies ), all of which are appropriate.
K To what extent does the candidate formulate the problem/problems to be studied in a decision making framework?

Achievement Level

0 The problem/problems is/are stated with little or no understanding of the decision making environment.

1 The problem/problems is/are stated and a basic understanding of the decision making environment is evident.

2 The relationship of the problem/problems to the organisation's need for decision making is stated.

3 The direct relevance of the problem/problems to the organisation's need forr decision making is clearly stated.

L To what extent does the candidate assess the influence of communication on organisational activities?

Achievement Level

0 There is little or no reference to communication within organisational activities.

1 Within the essay there is reference to communication within organisational activities. The effects of communication are related to the problem(s) being studied.

2 Within the essay there is an understanding of the importance of communication within organisational activities. The effects of communication are evaluated with reference to the problem(s) being studied.

3 Throughout the essay there is a clear understanding of the importance of communication within organisational activities. The effects of communication are evaluated with reference to the problem(s) being studied.

M To what extent does the candidate evaluate the effects of change upon organisational activities?

Achievement Level

0 There is little or no reference to the effects of change on organisational activities.

1 Within the essay there is reference to the dynamic nature of the organisation and its susceptibility to change. The effects of these changes are related to the problem(s) being studied.

2 Within the essay there is a clear understanding that organisations are dynamic in nature and susceptible to change. The effects of these changes are evaluated with reference to the problem(s) being studied.

3 Throughout the essay there is a clear understanding that organisations are dynamic in nature and susceptible to change. The effects of these changes are evaluated with reference to the problem(s) being studied.

N To what extent does the candidate evaluate the role of individuals and/or groups within organisational activities?

Achievement Level

0 There is little or no reference to individuals and/or groups within organisational activities.

1 There is minimal reference to individuals and/or groups within organisational activities. The role of these individuals and/or groups is related to the problems being studied.

2 There is recognition of the importance of individuals and/or groups within organisational activities. The role of these individuals and/or groups is evaluated with reference to the problems being studied.

3 There is clear and consistent recognition of the importance of individuals and/or groups within organisational activities. The role of these individuals and/or groups is evaluated with reference to the problems being studied.

P To what extent does the candidate select and apply appropriate financial, accounting and/or statistical techniques?

Achievement Level

0 Discussion is not supported by the selection, application or consideration of appropriate financial, accounting and/or statistical techniques.

1 Discussion is supported by the consideration of appropriate financial, accounting and/or statistical techniques.

2 Discussion is supported by the selection and application of appropriate financial, accounting and/or statistical techniques.

3 Discussion is supported by the selection and correct application of appropriate financial, accounting and/or statistical techniques.
IB Homepage Extended Essay homepage General guidelines General grading criteria Subject grading criteria

J	To what extent does the candidate relate theoretical aspects of organisational activity to an actual case study (or case studies)?
Achievement Level
0	Theoretical and/or actual principles of organisation are stated, but not related to a case study (or studies).
1	Theoretical and/or actual principles of organisation are related to a case study (or studies), some of which are appropriate.
2	Theoretical and actual principles of organisation are related to a case study (or studies), most of which are appropriate.
3	Theoretical and actual principles of organisation are related to a case study (or studies ), all of which are appropriate.

K	To what extent does the candidate formulate the problem/problems to be studied in a decision making framework?
Achievement Level
0	The problem/problems is/are stated with little or no understanding of the decision making environment.
1	The problem/problems is/are stated and a basic understanding of the decision making environment is evident.
2	The relationship of the problem/problems to the organisation's need for decision making is stated.
3	The direct relevance of the problem/problems to the organisation's need forr decision making is clearly stated.

L	To what extent does the candidate assess the influence of communication on organisational activities?
Achievement Level
0	There is little or no reference to communication within organisational activities.
1	Within the essay there is reference to communication within organisational activities. The effects of communication are related to the problem(s) being studied.
2	Within the essay there is an understanding of the importance of communication within organisational activities. The effects of communication are evaluated with reference to the problem(s) being studied.
3	Throughout the essay there is a clear understanding of the importance of communication within organisational activities. The effects of communication are evaluated with reference to the problem(s) being studied.

M	To what extent does the candidate evaluate the effects of change upon organisational activities?
Achievement Level
0	There is little or no reference to the effects of change on organisational activities.
1	Within the essay there is reference to the dynamic nature of the organisation and its susceptibility to change. The effects of these changes are related to the problem(s) being studied.
2	Within the essay there is a clear understanding that organisations are dynamic in nature and susceptible to change. The effects of these changes are evaluated with reference to the problem(s) being studied.
3	Throughout the essay there is a clear understanding that organisations are dynamic in nature and susceptible to change. The effects of these changes are evaluated with reference to the problem(s) being studied.

N	To what extent does the candidate evaluate the role of individuals and/or groups within organisational activities?
Achievement Level
0	There is little or no reference to individuals and/or groups within organisational activities.
1	There is minimal reference to individuals and/or groups within organisational activities. The role of these individuals and/or groups is related to the problems being studied.
2	There is recognition of the importance of individuals and/or groups within organisational activities. The role of these individuals and/or groups is evaluated with reference to the problems being studied.
3	There is clear and consistent recognition of the importance of individuals and/or groups within organisational activities. The role of these individuals and/or groups is evaluated with reference to the problems being studied.

P	To what extent does the candidate select and apply appropriate financial, accounting and/or statistical techniques?
Achievement Level
0	Discussion is not supported by the selection, application or consideration of appropriate financial, accounting and/or statistical techniques.
1	Discussion is supported by the consideration of appropriate financial, accounting and/or statistical techniques.
2	Discussion is supported by the selection and application of appropriate financial, accounting and/or statistical techniques.
3	Discussion is supported by the selection and correct application of appropriate financial, accounting and/or statistical techniques.