Practice IB Design Technology (DT) Topic 9.1 Corporate Strategies with authentic exam-style questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank focuses on the exact syllabus content for 9.1 Corporate Strategies and mirrors Paper 1, 2, 3 style where relevant.
Get instant solutions, detailed explanations, and build confidence with questions aligned to IB examiner expectations.
A company that exclusively manufactures specialized diagnostic equipment for private hospitals decides to repackage and market its existing line of digital infrared thermometers to individual consumers for home use. According to the Ansoff Matrix, which corporate strategy is being implemented?
Northbay Kitchenware (NK) is a mid-sized UK manufacturer of cookware. NK’s mission is to “make reliable tools for everyday cooking”. In the last two years, low-cost competitors have reduced NK’s market share.
NK’s board is considering a new three-year corporate strategy. They have gathered the information below.
Strategic options under discussion:
A draft extract from NK’s internal strategy document states:
“The chosen corporate strategy must align with our mission, be deliverable with our resources, strengthen the brand, and provide a clear basis for design teams to make consistent product and communication decisions across the portfolio.”
Figure 1: NK’s draft corporate strategy map
Figure 2: Board draft comparison of strategic options
State two reasons why a corporate strategy is important for a company such as Northbay Kitchenware.
Outline how a clear corporate strategy can improve consistency in NK’s product portfolio and brand communications.
Identify which corporate strategy type best describes Option A, Option B and Option C.
Explain how choosing Option C could change NK’s corporate strategy scope and the decisions the design function must make across the portfolio.
Discuss how NK’s design team should translate the chosen corporate strategy into actionable guidance. Refer to at least two types of corporate strategy from the case study in your answer.
A company that produces high-performance waterproof jackets for professional hikers decides to start selling the exact same product line in a new geographical territory where it has never operated before. Which corporate strategy from the Ansoff Matrix is being employed?
Many of Apple’s customers own a number of Apple devices such as iPhones, iPads, laptops, iWatches and AirPods, see Figure 3.
Figure 3: A selection of Apple products
Many Apple users found the efficient charging of multiple devices could be difficult. Apple aimed to solve this issue when they filed their patent for the AirPower, a wireless charger that could charge three devices at once. To achieve this the coils must be placed directly on top of one another, see Figure 4. If the coils are not aligned, the device will not charge.
Figure 4: Wireless charging
The AirPower aimed to solve this issue by stacking and offsetting the coils, see Figure 5. Stacked coils gave the AirPower the ability to charge multiple devices at once. The large charging area made it easier to align the coils.
Figure 5: Registered patent for the design of the AirPower, showing many stacked coils
During testing, Apple found that the AirPower was unsafe because the coils overheated. This led to Apple cancelling the development of the AirPower and the product was never released to the public.
Outline one way Apple is using the corporate strategy of product development for the AirPower.
Explain how Apple utilizes “product families” to minimize inventory.
List two ways the AirPower was intending to achieve enhanced usability.
A furniture manufacturer implements several new initiatives as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy. The company uses the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework to evaluate its performance.
Which row correctly matches a specific initiative to its corresponding Triple Bottom Line (TBL) pillar?
| Initiative | TBL Pillar | |
|---|---|---|
| A | Implementing a reduction in carbon emissions | Social |
| B | Increasing the annual dividend paid to shareholders | Environmental |
| C | Providing comprehensive health insurance for all staff | Social |
| D | Streamlining production to decrease raw material waste | Economic |