Practice IB Business Management Topic 4.6 International Marketing with authentic exam-style questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank focuses on the exact syllabus content for 4.6 International Marketing and mirrors Paper 1, 2, 3 style where relevant.
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Global Solar Solutions (GSS)
(a) With reference to business management motivation theory, one need that GSS satisfies for rural households requiring solar lighting.
(b) one human resource challenge and one operations challenge GSS may face if it accepts the DRD expansion contract.
Karoo Trail (KT)
. Karoo Trail (KT) is a manufacturer of technical hiking boots based in Cape Town, South Africa. It sells in South Africa and in eight export markets. All figures are in United States dollars ($).
. KT sells the same boot, in the same packaging, in every export market. Its marketing is planned centrally in Cape Town, and the only element of the marketing mix that KT varies between markets is how much it spends there on advertising.
. In four markets KT employs its own sales team and invoices retailers directly. In the other four it sells through a distributor, which buys from KT and resells to retailers. Table 1 shows sales revenue at the point of sale to retailers in every market. Where a distributor is used, the distributor keeps of that revenue and KT receives the remaining .
. KT entered Chile in January . Its Chilean distributor placed a single opening order worth $ in March to stock outdoor stores. It has not placed a repeat order since.
. For KT has agreed terms with a distributor in Canada and plans to spend $ on marketing there.
. KT's marketing director told the board in December : "Our export markets tell one story. Where we spend, we sell. The plan for is more of the same, in more countries."
Table 1: KT's export markets in
| Export market | Year entered | Route to market | Import tariff on footwear (%) | Marketing expenditure ($000) | Export sales revenue ($000) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Namibia | 2019 | KT's own sales team | 0 | 18 | 320 |
| Botswana | 2020 | KT's own sales team | 0 | 24 | 395 |
| Kenya | 2021 | Distributor | 10 | 30 | 510 |
| Germany | 2021 | KT's own sales team | 8 | 36 | 640 |
| Portugal | 2022 | KT's own sales team | 8 | 42 | 700 |
| United Kingdom | 2023 | Distributor | 6 | 48 | 890 |
| Australia | 2024 | Distributor | 5 | 54 | 940 |
| Chile | 2025 | Distributor | 12 | 62 | 1 380 |
…
(e) one opportunity and one threat BobaPop Ltd. might face when entering the international markets of Australia and South Korea.
BobaPop Ltd.
BobaPop Ltd. is a rapidly growing bubble tea company based in Singapore. The company is planning to enter two new overseas markets: Australia and South Korea. Management collected the following financial data for 2025 Q1:
Table 1. Financial and Market Research Data for BobaPop Ltd. for 2025 Q1
| Descriptor | Value |
|---|---|
| Acid test (quick) ratio | 0.7 : 1 |
| Debtor days | 78 days |
| Price elasticity of demand (PED) | –2.1 |
| Market research methods used | Surveys, focus groups |
BobaPop Ltd. is concerned about its liquidity position and slow debtor collection. Managers are considering expanding primary market research activities before finalizing entry strategies for these international markets.
(a) BobaPop Ltd.’s acid test (quick) ratio and one implication for its liquidity position.
(b) one strategy that BobaPop Ltd. could use to improve its debtor days.
(c) two primary market research methods, other than surveys and focus groups, that BobaPop Ltd. could use before international expansion.
(d) the significance of BobaPop Ltd.'s price elasticity of demand (PED) being –2.1.
(a) Using an appropriate business management theory, a human need that SparkFit’s products satisfy for their target consumers.
(b) two challenges SparkFit faces in scaling its digital marketing efforts. Support your answer with evidence from the resources.
(c) Based on the resources and your business knowledge, recommend a comprehensive marketing strategy to improve SparkFit’s brand awareness and competitiveness over the next five years. Your strategy should consider product positioning, digital marketing channels, pricing, and brand partnerships.
FreshFusion – Scaling a Global Organic Beverage Brand
(a) Using an appropriate business management theory, an HR issue that FreshFusion is facing.
(b) two marketing challenges FreshFusion faces in expanding internationally.
(c) Using all the resources provided and your knowledge of business management, recommend a possible plan of action to improve both HR management and marketing strategy at FreshFusion.
SparkFit Apparel Ltd.
Despite a 20% increase in revenue compared to 2022, SparkFit faces pressure from production and marketing expenses, impacting profitability.
| Sales Growth Rate |
|---|
| Brand Awareness (%) |
|---|
| North America | 18% | 75% |
| Europe | 10% | 50% |
| Asia | 5% | 20% |
Key Insights:
(1) Sales growth in Asia is weak due to low brand awareness and lack of localized marketing strategies.
(2) North America remains strong, but competition is increasing.
