International Business (Collegiate)

International Business challenges members to explore the complexities of the global economy through an objective test. This event covers topics such as international trade, cultural differences, global marketing, economic systems, and the challenges and opportunities businesses face in a globalized world.

Event Overview

Division: Collegiate
Event Type: Individual
Event Category: Objective Test, 100-multiple choice questions (breakdown of question by competencies below)
Objective Test Time: 50 minutes

Educational Alignments

Items Competitor Must Provide: Sharpened Pencil, Computer, Conference-provided nametag, Photo identification, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code.

Items Competitor Must Provide: Test login information link & password. 

Competencies

• The Nature of Business
• Impact of Government
• Business Law
• Global Trade
• International Marketing/Management
Test questions are based on the knowledge areas and objectives outlined for this event. Detailed objectives can be found in the study guide included in these guidelines.

State

Eligibility

·         FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on February 1st of the current program year.

·         Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.

·         Members must stay within the official FBLA housing block of the official FBLA hotel to be eligible to compete.

·         Each chapter may submit six students in this event.

·         On the state level, each member can compete in up to three different events in the following combinations: three objective tests OR two objective tests and one presentation OR two objective tests and one production or one objective test and two production OR one objective test, one presentation, and one production. Students may enter the Christopher Heider, Rob Kelleher, Who’s Who event, and one Chapter event (Community Service, State of the Chapter) in addition to their above chosen events.

·         Picture identification (physical or digital: driver’s license, passport, state-issued identification, or school-issued identification) matching the conference nametag is required when checking in for competitive events.

·         If competitors are late for an objective test, they may be either disqualified or permitted to begin late with no extension of the time as scheduled. This is at the discretion of the proctor.

·         Participants must adhere to the Florida FBLA dress code established by the Florida Board of Directors or they will not be permitted to participate in the competitive event.

Recognition

·         The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event on the state level is 4.

Event Administration

·         This event is an objective test administered prior to the SLC. Advisers will be sent information regarding testing requirements.

·         No reference or study materials may be brought to the testing site.

·         No calculators may be brought into the testing site; online calculators will be provided through the testing software.

Scoring

·         Ties are broken by comparing the correct number of answers to the last 10 questions on the test. If a tie remains, answers to the last 20 questions on the test will be reviewed to determine the winner. If a tie remains, the competitor who completed the test in a shorter amount of time will place higher.

·         Results announced at the National Leadership Conference are considered official and will not be changed after the conclusion of the National Leadership Conference.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

·         FBLA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing reasonable accommodations for competitors. Accommodation requests must be submitted through the conference registration system by the official registration deadline. All requests will be reviewed, and additional documentation may be required to determine eligibility and appropriate support.

Penalty Points

·         Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.

Electronic Devices

·        Unless approved as part of a documented accommodation, all cell phones, smartwatches, electronic devices, and headphones must be turned off and stored away before the competition begins. Visible devices during the event will be considered a violation of the FBLA Honor Code.

National

If competing at the National level, be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/collegiate/competitive-events/


Study Guide: Knowledge Areas and Objectives

This study guide outlines the skills and knowledge assessed for this event. Objectives followed by a two-letter, three-digit code in parentheses are aligned to the National Business Administration Standards from MBA Research and Curriculum Center. Some objectives reference MBA Research’s Learning Activity Packages (LAPs), which are instructional resources with readings, activities, and assessments available exclusively to teacher advisers. For more information, visit MBAResearch.org/FBLA. 

Important Notice Regarding Test Preparation
MBA Research materials are not required to study for or prepare for FBLA competitive event tests. MBA Research provides curriculum and instructional resources directly to teachers and does not administer or manage individual student testing or competition participation. 

Note for members and parents: All questions related to tests, study materials, scores, or competition guidelines should be directed to the local FBLA adviser. Only teacher advisers should contact MBA Research directly. 

The Nature of Business (15 test items)  

  1. Explain the role of business in society (EC:070, LAP-EC-070) (CS)  

  2. Discuss the global environment in which businesses operate (EC:104, LAP-EC-104) (SP)  

  3. Describe factors that affect the business environment (EC:105, LAP-EC-105) (SP)  

  4. Explain the nature of business ethics (EC:106, LAP-EC-106) (SP)  

  5. Explain how organizations adapt to today’s markets (EC:107, LAP-EC-107) (SP)  

  

Economic Systems (15 test items)  

  1. Explain the types of economic systems (EC:007, LAP-EC-907) (CS)  

  2. Identify the impact of small business/entrepreneurship on market economies (EC:065) (CS)  

  3. Explain the concept of private enterprise (EC:009, LAP-EC-909) (CS)  

  4. Identify factors affecting a business’s profit (EC:010, LAP-EC-910) (CS)  

  5. Determine factors affecting business’s risk (EC:011, LAP-EC-911) (CS)  

  6. Explain the concept of competition (EC:012, LAP-EC-912) (CS)  

Impact of Government (15 test items)  

  1. Determine the relationship between government and business (EC:008, LAP-EC-016) (CS)  

  2. Describe the nature of taxes (EC:072, LAP-EC-072) (SP)  

  3. Discuss the nature of monetary policy (EC:073) (MN)  

  4. Explain the concept of fiscal policies (EC:074) (MN)  

  5. Describe the effects of fiscal and monetary policies (EC:098) (MN)  

Business Law (15 test items)  

  1. Discuss the nature and sources of international law (i.e., treaties and international customs) (BL:142) (MN)  

  2. Discuss the nature and sources of foreign law (i.e., country judicial and legislative actions) (BL:143) (MN)  

  3. Explain the impact of global legal systems on settling international business disputes (BL:144) (MN)  

  4. Explain the nature of import/export law (BL:145) (SP)  

  5. Describe the nature of customs regulations (BL:126) (SP)  

  6. Explain the nature of trade regulations (BL:004) (MN)  

  

Global Trade (30 test items)  

  1. Explain the nature of global trade (EC:016, LAP-EC-916) (SP)  

  2. Discuss the impact of globalization on business (EC:109) (SP)  

  3. Describe the determinants of exchange rates and their effects on the domestic economy (EC:100, LAP-EC-100) (SP)  

  4. Explain cultural considerations that impact global business relations (EC:110) (SP)  

  5. Discuss the impact of cultural and social environments on global trade (EC:045, LAP-EC-045) (SP)  

  6. Describe the impact of electronic communication tools (e.g., internet, video, and computer-conferencing, webcasts, email) on global business activities (EC:111) (SP)  

  7. Explain the impact of major trade alliances on business activities (EC:112) (SP)  

  8. Describe the impact of the political environment on world trade (EC:113) (SP)  

  9. Explain the impact of geography on world trade (EC:114) (SP)  

  10. Describe the impact of a country's history on world trade (EC:115) (SP)  

  11. Explain the impact of a country’s economic development on world trade (EC:116) (SP)  

  12. Discuss the impact of bribery and foreign monetary payments on business (EC:140) (SP)  

  13. Identify requirements for international business travel (e.g., passport, visa, proof of citizenship, immunizations, and sponsorship letters) (EC:141) (SP)  

  14. Explain labor issues associated with global trade (EC:101) (SU)  

  15. Discuss the potential impact of emerging economies on business activities (EC:117) (MN)  

International Marketing/Management (10 test items)  

  1. Explain considerations affecting global promotion (PR:117) (SP)  

  2. Determine the impact of product standards' issues associated with global business (PM:278) (SP)  

  3. Discuss the nature of global management (SM:029) (MN)