SL/HL paper 2, section C, sample C

Assessment criteria Marks awarded Marks available

Criterion A 3 4
Criterion B 3 4
Criterion C 2 4
Criterion D 3 4
Criterion E 3 4
Total 14 20

Examiner comments

Criterion A

The candidate shows a good understanding of globalization (defined in introduction) and of many relevant
business management theories (e.g. rewards, recruitment, leadership styles, organizational structure).
However, a weakness in this response is that the concept of change is not explicitly treated at all.

Teaching tip: For this question, the candidate has largely omitted the concept of “change.” The candidate
may have done so not purposefully but because the concept of change was expressed in a verb rather than a
noun. Candidates must be taught how to identify the six core concepts in the question, including when they
do not appear as nouns.

Criterion B

The candidate applies the concept of globalization and related HR issues well to the chosen organization
(Unilever), providing plenty of examples. However, many of these examples are explained as possible
scenarios, and more evidence of actual HR practices in Unilever would strengthen the answer. Given that
the candidate also covers much material that is strictly not relevant (e.g. ethics, economies of scale,
communication problems), the explanation of key content is quite cursory. Whilst these other elements
would not lose marks, they take time and do not necessarily add value to the final piece.

Criterion C

The candidate makes some relevant arguments (e.g. that globalization brings with it the possibility of
employing staff in one location but may mean redundancies elsewhere). However, other claims are either
irrelevant (e.g. how is hiring more locals a change brought about by globalization?) or the justifications
remain rather limited (e.g. why would the fact that a company has many employees make them feel
undervalued?)

Criterion D

The structure has all of the required elements with an introduction that defines one of the concepts,
paragraphs and a conclusion. Paragraphing could be stronger: fewer paragraphs organized around stronger,
clearer topic sentences. The conclusion is a repetition of the preceding material, nevertheless it is clearly
structured. Some aspects of the answer are less than clearly organized (e.g. which points are based on
current Unilever HR practice and which points are intended as advisable HR strategies?)

Criterion E
The candidate duly addresses both Unilever employees and managers’ perspectives throughout the answer.
However, for an even higher mark, the considerations should be more rooted in evidence or presentation of
a logic instead of speculating how various stakeholders might feel or act.