INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

International Business gives members the opportunity to explore the dynamic global economy and understand how businesses operate across borders. Through an objective test and a role play scenario, members apply their knowledge of international trade, cultural awareness, global marketing, and economic systems.

 

Event Overview

Division: High School
Event Type: Team of 1, 2 or 3 members
Event Category: Role Play Event
Event Elements: Objective Test and Interactive Role Play
Objective Test Time: 50 minutes
Role Play Time: 20-minute preparation time, 7-minute presentation time
Educational Alignments

 

Items Provided by Competitors: Sharpened pencil for objective test and scenario/role play, Fully powered device for online testing, Photo Identification, Conference-provided nametag, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code

Items Provided by FBLA: One piece of scratch paper per competitor, Internet access, and test login information for online testing; Two notecards for each competitor and secret problem/scenario for role play

 

Knowledge Areas

·         Fundamental Economic Concepts
·         The Nature of Business
·         Economic Systems
·         Impact of Government
·         Business Law
·         Global Trade

Test questions and role plays are based on the knowledge statements and objectives outlined for this event. Detailed objectives can be found in the study guide included in these guidelines.

District

Check with your District leadership for District-specific competition information.

State

Eligibility

·         FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on December 1 (or earlier date specified by District Director) of the current program year.
·         Members may compete in an event at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) more than once if they have not previously placed in the top 10 of that event at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). If a member places in the top 10 of an event at the NLC, they are no longer eligible to compete in that event.
·         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 district may be represented by participant(s) based on the Florida FBLA scaled quota system found on the Florida FBLA website.
·         Each member can only compete in one individual/team event and one chapter event (Community Service Project, Local Chapter Annual Business Report).
·         Identification: Competitors must present valid photo identification (physical) that matches the name on their conference name badge. Acceptable forms include a driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID, or school ID.
·         Each competitor must compete in all parts of an event for award eligibility.
·         All members of a team must consist of individuals from the same chapter.
·         Competitors cannot be replaced or substituted in between the objective test and role play time.
·         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.  If competitors are late for a presentation time, they may be disqualified or placed later in the schedule.  The decision is solely up to the judges.
·         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 is 5.

Event Administration

·         This event is two rounds: objective test and role play

·         Objective Test

o   Objective Test Time: 50 minutes
o   Objective Test Questions: 100 questions
o   This event is an objective test administered at the SLC.
o   No reference or study materials may be brought to the testing site.
o   Competitors on a team must test individually, starting within minutes of each other. Individual test scores will be averaged for a team score.

·         Interactive Role Play Presentation

o   Preparation Time: 20 minutes
o   Presentation Time: 7 minutes (one-minute warning)
o   Question & Answer: None

o   The top 5 scoring teams will advance to the role play final round.
o   Competitors will be provided with a single copy of a global business–related scenario or problem at the beginning of their assigned preparation time. This copy must be shared among team members and may only be accessed within the designated preparation area.
o   Two notecards will be provided to each competitor and may be used during event preparation and role play presentation. Information may be written on both sides of the notecards. Notecards will be collected following the role play.
o   No additional reference materials or props or visuals are allowed.
o   If participating as a team, all team members are expected to actively participate in the role play.
o   Role plays are interactive presentations; the judges may ask questions throughout the presentation.
o   To maintain fairness, competitors and audience members must not discuss or share the role play prompt until the event concludes.

Scoring

·         The team-averaged objective test score determines the top 5 teams advancing to role play round.
·         The role play round scores only will be used to determine winners.
·         Judges must break all ties. Decisions of the judges are final. Results announced at the State Leadership Conference are considered official and will not be changed after the conclusion of the State Leadership Conference.

Recording of Presentations

·         No unauthorized audio or video recording devices will be allowed in any competitive event.
·         Participants in the events should be aware FBLA reserves the right to record any presentation for use in study or training materials.

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

·         All electronic devices such as cell phones, headphones, and watches of any type are not to be brought to the testing site.

National

If you are competing on the National level, be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla/fbla-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.

Fundamental Economic Concepts (20 test items)  

  • Distinguish between economic goods and services (EC:002, LAP-EC-902) (CS)  

  • Explain the concept of economic resources (EC:003, LAP-EC-903) (CS)  

  • Describe the concepts of economics and economic activities (EC:001, LAP-EC-901) (CS)  

  • Determine economic utilities created by business activities (EC:004, LAP-EC-904) (CS)  

  • Explain the principles of supply and demand (EC:005, LAP-EC-905) (CS)  

  • Describe the functions of prices and markets (EC:006, LAP-EC-906) (CS)  

  

The Nature of Business (20 test items)  

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

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

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

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

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

  

Economic Systems (20 test items)  

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

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

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

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

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

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

  

Impact of Government (5 test items)  

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

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

  

 

Business Law (5 test items)  

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

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

  

Global Trade (30 test items)  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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