IB Business Management: Human Resource Management Revision

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Why does a business motivate its staff?

Human Resource Management is a core part of IB Business Management. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.

Key concepts

AutocraticLeader decides; workers obey

DemocraticLeader consults; team votes

Laissez-faireLeader steps back; team self-directs

Tannenbaum-Schmidt1958 continuum from boss-led to team-led

Trade unionWorker body bargaining with employer

Collective bargainingUnion negotiates pay for members

Job descriptionTasks and duties of the role

Person specificationSkills and qualities of the ideal candidate.

Internal recruitmentFilling vacancy from existing staff

Induction trainingIntroduction to firm for new hires

On-the-job trainingLearning by doing the role

Off-the-job trainingTraining away from the workplace

Maslow's hierarchyFive-level pyramid of needs (1943)

Herzberg two-factorHygiene prevents dissatisfaction; motivators satisfy

What your exam board covers

Where Human Resource Management sits in each exam board's specification. Tap a board to see what it lists.

HLUnit 2 — Human resource management

2.1 Introduction to human resource management
2.2 Organizational structure
2.3 Leadership and management
2.4 Motivation and demotivation
2.5 Organizational (corporate) culture (HL only)
2.6 Communication
2.7 Industrial/employee relations (HL only)

Source: IB Diploma Business Management guide (first assessment 2024), accessed 23 June 2026.

SLUnit 2 — Human resource management

2.1 Introduction to human resource management
2.2 Organizational structure
2.3 Leadership and management
2.4 Motivation and demotivation
2.6 Communication

Source: IB Diploma Business Management guide (first assessment 2024), accessed 23 June 2026.

Learn Human Resource Management step by step

Free interactive mini-lessons: short screens, worked examples and quick checks. Pick your exam board:

Common mistakes to avoid

Questions where students often pick the tempting wrong answer — make sure you know the right one:

Why does a business motivate its staff?✗ Motivation has no effect on performance. ✓ Motivated staff are more productive and stay longer.

Practise Human Resource Management — free games

Test yourself with these quick revision games for this topic:

▶ Two Truths, One Lie ▶ Reveal Race ▶ Connections Grid ▶ Falling Words ▶ Word Web

See all 22 games in the Revision Arcade →

Human Resource Management

Key concepts

What your exam board covers

Common mistakes to avoid

Practise Human Resource Management — free games

More IB Business Management topics