Business Management IA Exemplar: The Body Shop Brand Identity Refresh | RevisionDojo
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IB Business Management HL Internal Assessment Example
Should The Body Shop refresh their brand identity in order to adapt to market saturation in the cruelty-free cosmetics industry?HL
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5
Official IB Result
16/25
Criteria A: Integration of a Key Concept
3/5
0
3
5
Criteria Strands
A.1Understanding and integration of key concept
Good
A.2Connection to organization
Excellent
Criteria Feedback
Correctly identifies and applies the key concept of change to major events (acquisitions, brand refresh, market saturation)
Consistently links discussion points back to The Body Shop’s organizational context
Use of explicit conceptual language is intermittent and often descriptive rather than fully analytical
Early sections lack a clear framing that weaves the concept of change into the narrative from the outset
1.1·Suggestion
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While the key concept of change is stated, the introduction would benefit from explicitly framing early arguments in conceptual terms to weave change into the narrative.
1.2·Suggestion
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The opening background paragraph gives context but could better link to the concept of change by discussing how The Body Shop’s identity evolved over time.
1.3·Suggestion
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The weakness discussion uses supporting document 3 effectively but could integrate the concept of market saturation more explicitly to deepen analytical insight.
1.4·Strength
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Supporting document 4 insightfully outlines the Auréa deal, showing how change may revive the brand; this connects well to the key concept.
Criteria B: Supporting Documents
3/4
0
2
4
Criteria Strands
B.1Number of documents
Excellent
B.2Relevance and depth
Good
Criteria Feedback
Uses exactly five supporting documents, meeting the quantitative requirement
Most documents are relevant and contribute useful context and examples to the analysis
Depth of analysis varies—two sources are brief news reports and one is dated (2011), limiting full relevance
Bibliography is incomplete, with only two entries despite five documents being referenced
2.1·Strength
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Methodology precisely explains why each supporting document was chosen and how it will inform the analysis, exhibiting good alignment with research aims.
2.2·Weakness
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Only two bibliography entries are listed despite five supporting documents being used; ensure all sources are included in the bibliography.
2.3·Strength
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Supporting document 1 effectively provides context on store closures and redundancies, offering concrete figures for analysis.
2.4·Strength
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Supporting document 2 is recent and highly relevant, enhancing the depth of secondary evidence.
2.5·Weakness
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Supporting document 3 provides unique qualitative insights, but its age (2011) limits relevance to current market dynamics.
Criteria C: Selection and Application of Tools and Theories
2/4
0
2
4
Criteria Strands
C.1Selection of tools and theories
Good
C.2Application and relevance
Good
Criteria Feedback
Appropriate choice of mainstream tools (SWOT and STEEPLE) that are clearly defined
Tools are applied to The Body Shop and linked to elements of the research question
Application remains largely descriptive with limited critical or analytical insight
Relevance of some tool components to the research question is not always explicit
3.1·Suggestion
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The rationale for selecting SWOT and STEEPLE is appropriate but the discussion remains descriptive; deepen the analysis by explicitly linking each factor to the research question.
3.2·Strength
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The STEEPLE introduction succinctly defines the tool and its factors, demonstrating clarity in tool selection.
3.3·Suggestion
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The write-up of document 2 summaries facts without critique; consider applying transaction cost theory to explain why Aurelius’s acquisition strategy failed.
3.4·Suggestion
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The discussion of Auréa’s acquisition could be enriched by comparing its sustainability track record against The Body Shop’s original values.
Criteria D: Analysis and Evaluation
2/5
0
3
5
Criteria Strands
D.1Data selection and use
Moderate
D.2Analysis quality
Good
Criteria Feedback
Includes some analytical comments linking SWOT/STEEPLE factors to the research question
Uses both quantitative (Mintel statistic) and qualitative (poll review) data sources
Data selection is superficial and limited in scope, with little recent or comparative quantitative evidence
Analysis is patchy and narrative rather than deeply evaluative
4.1·Suggestion
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The Mintel statistic is relevant but dated; incorporating more recent consumer data would strengthen the analysis and show effective data selection.
4.2·Suggestion
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The description of internal strengths captures the brand legacy but lacks quantitative evidence; including sales or loyalty metrics would reinforce the claim.
4.3·Suggestion
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Threats are described comprehensively, but the analysis remains largely narrative. Introduce comparative market data or trend analysis to elevate depth.
4.4·Suggestion
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The social factor analysis rightly highlights market saturation but would benefit from linking these societal changes to specific revenue or market share trends.
4.5·Suggestion
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Economic factor discussion connects financial struggles to wider economic pressures, but referencing GDP or industry growth data would strengthen the point.
4.6·Suggestion
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Student recounts redundancy numbers but misses the opportunity to calculate closure percentages relative to total stores; include this for deeper evaluation.
4.7·Strength
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The poll review adds a primary perspective on consumer experience, enriching the qualitative analysis.
4.8·Strength
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Supporting document 5’s influencer strategy analysis complements the technological STEEPLE factor, illustrating relevant digital trends.
4.9·Suggestion
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While the influencer strategy is described well, assess past green campaigns’ effectiveness with engagement or ROI metrics to deepen evaluation.
Criteria E: Conclusions
2/3
0
2
3
Criteria Strands
E.1Consistency with evidence
Good
E.2Answer to research question
Excellent
Criteria Feedback
Explicitly answers the research question, identifying key causes and recommending a brand refresh
Ties conclusions back to main findings in the body of the IA
Conclusions rely on limited evidence and do not cite specific data points
Lacks stronger reference to the central concept of change in the concluding remarks
5.1·Suggestion
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The conclusion would be more persuasive if it cited key data points (e.g., percentage closures or revenue decline) and tied them back to the concept of change.
5.2·Strength
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The conclusion articulates key findings and answers the research question explicitly, reflecting consistency with evidence presented earlier.
Criteria F: Structure
2/2
0
1
2
Criteria Strands
F.1Organization and structure
Excellent
Criteria Feedback
Clear table of contents and consistent use of headings
Logical progression of sections reflects appropriate IA structure
Minor lapses (e.g., an incomplete SWOT section) indicate occasional structural gaps
6.1·Strength
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The table of contents is well organized, with clear headings that mirror the IA structure and guide the reader effectively.
6.2·Weakness
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The SWOT strengths section ends mid-sentence under opportunities, indicating an incomplete thought. Ensure all analysis points are fully articulated.
Criteria G: Presentation
2/2
0
1
2
Criteria Strands
G.1Required elements
Excellent
Criteria Feedback
All required elements are present (title page, word count, methodology, bibliography, documents)
Presentation is clear and follows IB guidelines for including necessary components
Bibliography formatting is inconsistent and could follow a formal style more closely
7.1·Suggestion
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Including the word count is good practice, but ensure consistency by placing it in the footer area per IB presentation guidelines.
7.2·Strength
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The title page clearly presents the research question, key concept, and word count, fulfilling all required elements and aiding reader orientation.
7.3·Suggestion
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Bibliography entries lack consistent formatting; adopting a formal referencing style (e.g., Harvard) will improve presentation and academic rigor.