Resources for Conducting an Industry Analysis
Buzz Words that can be used when searching:
- Analysis
- Outlook
- Survey
- Trends
- Overview
- Industry
Identify the Industry
- Determine the NAICS Code for the industry http://www.census.gov/naics/2007/index.html
Ebsco Business and Proquest databases on VU Library webpage
Industry Overview – Where can I find a current overview of an industry?
- US Industry & Trade Outlook (library) ref HC 106.5 A544
- Two databases onthe VU Library website: Hoovers and D&B First Research
- Hoovers (free) http://www.hoovers.com/free/ind/dir.xhtml listing of industries
- Bizlink http://plcmc.org/bizlink/
How can I find trade associations for a specific industry?
- General internet search using Google
- Hoover’s database
- Hoover’s Online (free) http://www.hoovers.com/free/ind/dir.xhtml
Industry Trends, Statistics and Educational Materials
- US Industry & Trade Outlook (Library) ref HC 106.5 A544
- Statistical Abstract of the US (Library) ref HA 202 S7
- Almanac of Business and Industrial Financial Ratios ref HF 5681 R25 T7
- Trade Associations – Ask specific questions, e.g., “How large is the (industry) market in California in terms of dollars?” or “Do you have a list of distributors available for the western US?”
- ZapData – Dun & Bradstreet offers free statistical industry data on their website http://www.zapdata.com Free registration is required.
- Biz Stats http://bizstats.com (free)
- Hoovers database
- Hoover’s Online (free) http://www.hoovers.com/free/ind/dir.xhtml (free)
- Lexis Nexis database: Use the power search/select “sources” pull down menu and look for US company reports
Industry Developments, News, Innovations and Government Regulations
- Literature searches of newspapers, journals and magazines – online databases (Lexis Nexis, Ebsco Business, InfoTrac, Proquest, First Search)
- Full-text Electronic Journals on VU library webpage: e-journals by subject/pull down menu
- Trade Associations and industry magazines – connect through association websites
- Trade associations http://www.inc.com/articles/2001/02/22070.html
- Better Business Bureau http://www.bbb.org (free – need to know zip code of company)
Consumer Market Data
- Bureau of the Census web site http://www.census.gov (free)
- ESRI, has free demographic data available by zip code http://www.infods.com/freedata/.
- American Demographics available through InfoTrac Expanded Academic database
- Advertising Age absorbed American Demographics in 2004 also available on database.
Competitor Information
- Trade Associations
- Securities Exchange Commission (for research on public companies) http://www.sec.gov/edgarhp.htm (free)
- Dun & Bradstreet’s Zap data http://www.zapdata.com (free)
- Hoover’s Online http://www.hoovers.com/free/ind/dir.xhtml (free)
- Thomas Register http://www.thomasnet.com (Industrial) free registration is first required
Search company websites for more information on their business.
Additional resources:
http://www.forbes.com/lists/ (info on companies)
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/index.html
http://trade.gov/index.asp (international)
http://tinet.ita.doc.gov/ (travel)
Pam Crenshaw/Mel Covetta Fall 08
