Business Management IA Exemplar: Tortilla Mexican Grill Acquisition… | RevisionDojo
Loading document preview...
IB Business Management HL Internal Assessment Example
To what extent has Tortilla Mexican Grill’s acquisition of Chilango on May 23, 2022, improved its financial performance and market position?HL
Loading scores...
5
Official IB Result
15/25
Criteria A: Integration of a Key Concept
4/5
0
3
5
Criteria Strands
A.1Understanding and integration of key concept
Excellent
A.2Connection to organization
Excellent
Criteria Feedback
Clear and sound understanding of the key concept of change
Consistently frames analysis (Force-Field, BCG, ratios) around change
Strong, organisation-specific connection to Tortilla and acquisition data
Analysis occasionally drifts into pure description without linking back to change
Key concept lacks a concise operational definition
Some ratio discussions are presented without tying them to the concept of change
1.1·Suggestion
Page 1• Click to view
Key concept “Change” is identified early but lacks a concise operational definition to guide analysis. Consider defining layers of change (strategic, operational, cultural) to deepen concept integration.
1.2·Weakness
Page 3• Click to view
The definition of change is presented but cites a generic guide without academic precision. Incorporate a business management textbook definition to strengthen conceptual rigour.
1.3·Suggestion
Page 3• Click to view
Background section effectively situates Tortilla and Chilango but relies heavily on descriptive detail. Link background facts more directly to the concept of change for sharper relevance.
Criteria B: Supporting Documents
1/4
0
2
4
Criteria Strands
B.1Number of documents
Poor
B.2Relevance and depth
Good
Criteria Feedback
All referenced documents (annual reports, press releases, database entries) are relevant to the case
Some documents provide sufficiently detailed financial data
Six secondary sources exceed the 3–5 limit, which automatically places this in band 1
Depth and range across documents are uneven
No primary data are incorporated
2.1·Suggestion
Page 13• Click to view
All listed references are secondary. To enrich analysis, consider incorporating primary data (e.g., interviews with management, customer surveys) to deepen evaluation.
Criteria C: Selection and Application of Tools and Theories
3/4
0
2
4
Criteria Strands
C.1Selection of tools and theories
Excellent
C.2Application and relevance
Good
Criteria Feedback
Effective selection of three appropriate tools (Force-Field, BCG, ratio analysis)
Each tool is applied to the case company, showing clear relevance to the research question
Application depth is uneven (generic Force-Field points, single-year BCG justification)
No explicit rationale for tool choice against the research question
Some tool diagrams lack labels and quantitative criteria
3.1·Weakness
Page 4• Click to view
The Force-Field Analysis figure lacks clear labels and relative force magnitudes, reducing its analytical clarity. Annotate driving vs restraining forces and weightings for depth.
3.2·Weakness
Page 4• Click to view
Methodology section lists tools and sources but does not justify their selection against the research question. Provide rationale for choosing Force-Field, BCG, and ratio analysis.
3.3·Suggestion
Page 6• Click to view
The BCG Matrix introduction explains the tool but does not specify quadrant boundary criteria. Define market share and growth thresholds for consistent classification.
Criteria D: Analysis and Evaluation
3/5
0
3
5
Criteria Strands
D.1Data selection and use
Good
D.2Analysis quality
Good
Criteria Feedback
Links integration costs to margin trends and liquidity ratios
Uses a range of data (revenues, margins, current ratio) to address the question
Demonstrates more than mere description, moving into analysis
Analysis remains surface-level in parts with calculation errors
Missing benchmark context for ratios
Limited critical evaluation of strategic impact
4.1·Weakness
Page 4• Click to view
The text describing the Force-Field Analysis provides general drivers and restrainers but lacks critical evaluation of their strategic impact on Tortilla’s change process.
4.2·Suggestion
Page 7• Click to view
The revenue growth narrative presents impressive percentages but lacks a comparative table. Consider summarizing key revenue changes in a table to improve clarity.
4.3·Suggestion
Page 9• Click to view
The interpretation of margin trends links well to integration costs but would benefit from quantifying the cost impact to support the claim with specific numeric examples.
4.4·Weakness
Page 9• Click to view
The gross profit margin table skips data for 2022, showing 2021, 2023, and 2024. Confirm that data rows match the analysis timeline for coherence.
4.5·Suggestion
Page 10• Click to view
The Current Ratio formula text is clear; adding a brief example calculation would reinforce understanding of how figures translate into the ratio metric.
4.6·Suggestion
Page 10• Click to view
The Current Ratio table clearly presents data but lacks benchmark context. Explain that a ratio below 1.0 may signal liquidity concerns to enhance analysis.
4.7·Suggestion
Page 11• Click to view
The ROCE table nests a calculation in parentheses, which can obscure clarity. Separate the formula, computation, and result into distinct columns or notes.
Criteria E: Conclusions
2/3
0
2
3
Criteria Strands
E.1Consistency with evidence
Excellent
E.2Answer to research question
Excellent
Criteria Feedback
Conclusions mirror key findings on market position, revenue, and profitability
Research question is explicitly restated and addressed
Numeric error in reported 2023 revenue undermines consistency
No actionable recommendations or strategic priorities
5.1·Suggestion
Page 12• Click to view
The conclusion could be enhanced by outlining specific strategic priorities or KPIs for Tortilla post-acquisition, linking recommendations to actionable next steps.
5.2·Weakness
Page 12• Click to view
The conclusion misreports 2023 revenue as £365.4 million instead of £65.7 million. Correct this figure to ensure conclusions remain consistent with evidence.
5.3·Strength
Page 12• Click to view
The conclusion explicitly answers the research question and summaries key findings on market position and financial performance, demonstrating strong coherence.
Criteria F: Structure
1/2
0
1
2
Criteria Strands
F.1Organization and structure
Excellent
Criteria Feedback
IA follows prescribed sections and includes a table of contents
Logical ordering of introduction, methodology, analysis, conclusion
Sections occasionally end mid-sentence, interrupting flow
Some paragraphs are incomplete, disrupting coherence
6.1·Strength
Page 1• Click to view
The research question is clearly articulated, specifying the acquisition date, target company, and dual focus on financial performance and market position, which provides strong focus for the analysis.
6.2·Strength
Page 2• Click to view
The table of contents demonstrates a logical and comprehensive structure, clearly mapping sections and subsections to the research question, which supports ease of navigation.
6.3·Weakness
Page 6• Click to view
The section ends mid-sentence (‘However, Tortilla needs to’) which interrupts the analytical flow. Ensure each paragraph concludes with a complete recommendation.
Criteria G: Presentation
1/2
0
1
2
Criteria Strands
G.1Required elements
Excellent
Criteria Feedback
All required elements are included (title page, headings, figures, references)
Multiple typos and inconsistent formatting (typo in ROCE label, OCR artifacts)
Figure labels and numbering are inconsistent
Reference formatting lacks uniformity
7.1·Weakness
Page 6• Click to view
The BCG figure omits axis labels and scale markers, hindering interpretation of relative market share and growth. Add axis titles and numeric scales for clarity.
7.2·Suggestion
Page 8• Click to view
Figure numbering is inconsistent, with two captions labeled as Figure 3. Verify sequential numbering to maintain clear presentation.
7.3·Suggestion
Page 8• Click to view
The GPM formula is correctly displayed but could be strengthened by specifying units consistently (e.g., percentages) and explaining variable selection.
7.4·Suggestion
Page 10• Click to view
Stray OCR fragments (‘year’) appear in the Current Ratio section. Review and clean up text to eliminate distracting artifacts.
7.5·Weakness
Page 11• Click to view
The ROCE formula refers to “Capital Employee” instead of “Employed.” Correct this typo to maintain professional presentation.
7.6·Weakness
Page 13• Click to view
References show variety but formatting is inconsistent. Standardize citation style (e.g., italics for titles, uniform date formats, complete URLs) to improve presentation.