Business Administration Department

Revised January 2009 by Joseph Middleton, Head Reference Librarian

 

BA340, 341, 342, 344, 347                                                                                          Dr. Geoff Lantos

2008-2009

 

Using the Business Library

 

          Some of the information incorporated into your written work in this course will come from secondary data (information that already exists somewhere), which can be found in our library.  This handout is designed to help you locate various types of secondary data. Sources listed here have information on companies, industries, business conditions, and related topics.

 

          If you are having trouble finding what you need, the reference librarians will be glad to assist you.  TIP: Discuss your topic with a librarian before you start major research. Assistance is available Sundays 12 noon until 10pm, Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. until 10pm, and Fridays and Saturdays 9am until 5pm. Their extension is x1103 and you can email them at library_reference@stonehill.edu.

 

          Many other databases of business information exist besides those listed below. Reference Librarians can help you identify and use them. Also, the MacPhaidin Library has a web-based guide to business resources. From the Library’s main page, http://www.stonehill.edu/library.xml, click on “Subject and Class Guides” and then on “Business Guide”.

          Most of the library’s electronic databases are available from off campus. See the Library’s “Off Campus Access” page, http://www.stonehill.edu/x15784.xml, for more information. Books and articles our library does not have may be available through interlibrary loan, a free service.

 

          This guide is divided into six sections: General Background Information, Industry Information, Demographic Information, Corporate Information, Marketing Information, and Sources outside the MacPhaidin Library. 

 

 

I.       General Background Information - on general marketing topics, markets, industries, companies, products.

 

A.      The Library Online Catalog - for books on marketing and other business topics.  These books are listed under such subject headings as: Marketing, Marketing Channels, Marketing Management, Marketing Research, Direct Marketing, Direct Selling, Sales Management, Advertising, and Industrial Procurement.  The Library of Congress has a five-volume set giving subject heading synonyms to help you find key subject heading terms (kept at Reference Desk).

 

 

B.      Periodical Indexes - for finding articles on all business topics. Indexes provide citations that include author(s), article title, periodical title, date, page, etc. Some indexes include full-text. Except where noted, all of the library’s periodical indexes are searchable both on and off the Campus Network. From the MacPhaidin Library's Home Page, the “Electronic Databases” drop down menu provides links to all of the Library’s electronic databases.

 

1.       Academic Search Premier is a multi-disciplinary full text database containing full text for nearly 4,500 journals. This scholarly collection offers information in nearly every area of academic study including: Marketing, Advertising, Management and Business. Many are in full text.

 

2.       The Boston Globe - Best coverage of local and New England economic and business topics.

 

         1980- present, Online full text.

 

                             1980- present, in microfilm (current paper issues are kept until the film arrives).

 

3       General BusinessFile, 1980 – present: Use this database to find articles, many in full text, on all business and management topics. Included are directory listings for over 150,000 companies as well as investment analysts' reports on major companies and industries.

 

4.              Lexis-Nexis - As well as full text legal resources, here you will find a wealth of company, industry, financial, accounting, and general business information in full text.

 

5.       The New York Times, besides being an excellent source for general news, has good coverage of business, industries and companies.

 

          1980 – present. Online full text.

 

          1857 to present is on microfilm (current paper issues are kept until the film arrives).

 

                   6.       PsycINFO - Useful for consumer behavior, management decision making, personnel management and other topics involving psychology and business.

 

7        The Wall Street Journal  - An important source for financial, business, and general news. The Journal is available in two locations:

 

1986 - present. Online full text.

 

1970 – present. Microfilm (current paper issues are kept until the film arrives).

 

          Use the Wall Street Journal Index to find articles in the WSJ microfilm/paper formats from 1970 to 1999 (Reference Area, Newspaper Indexes). 

 

 

 

 

II.      Industry Information

 

A.     Dun and Bradstreet's Industry Norm and Key Business Ratios (REF HF 5681 R25 I526). This source supplies industry income statement/balance sheet information by SIC number.

 

B.     International Directory of Company Histories.  (HD 2721 .I63) Published by Thomson/Gale this set (currently at 97 volumes) gives concise histories of over 9,675 of the world’s most important companies.

 

C.     Market Share Reporter. Darnay, Arsen J. Detroit: Gale, 1994-. (REF HF 5410 .M35)Annual compilation containing over 2,000 entries with tables and charts showing market share data on industries, companies, products, brands, and services in North America.

 

D.     Mergent Industry Review (on reserve).  Comparative statistics and rankings among companies within 145 industry groups on revenues, net income, return on assets, and other financial measures.

 

E.      NetAdvantage - provides online access to Standard & Poor's Industry Surveys, with their in-depth economic and business information on 52 major U.S. industries. It also includes a Monthly Investment Review, which provides investment advice on 115 key industries. On the Library’s main page, use the “Electronic Databases” menu to find NetAdvantage.

 

F.      North American Industry Classification System (kept at Ref. Desk). Supersedes the SIC. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Manual. The NAICS is a U.S. government classification of industries based on the product produced or operation performed by the industry. This manual gives these NAICS codes that are used by many of the other information sources below in reporting information for products and companies.

 

G.     RMA Annual Statement Studies. (REF HF 5681.B2 R6). Composite financial data for the current year and the previous four years on manufacturing, wholesaling, retailing, services, and contracting lines of business. 


 

 

H.     U.S. Government Sources

 

1.             U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census.  Done every five years, The Economic Census profiles the US economy from the national to the local level. http://www.census.gov/econ/census02/

 

2.             U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Survey of Current Business (published monthly, located in Periodicals) and Business Statistics (biennial - REF HC 101 A13122).  These are the most important sources of U.S. economic statistics, both current (SCB) and historical (BS). http://www.bea.doc.gov/

 

3.             EDGAR Database. http://sec.gov/edgar.shtml.  For comprehensive financial data on public companies in the U.S., read through the 10K reports accessed through this government site. New company reports appear within 24 hours of being filed.

.        

 

I.        Value Line Investment Survey (on reserve). Industry financial information and projections Reviews current developments and trends for 91 industry groups.

 

 

 

III.    Demographic Information

 

A.            American Community Survey. This is a Web based, ongoing survey that will replace the long form in the 2010 census.  The ACS provides estimates of demographic, housing, social, and economic characteristics every year for states, counties, metropolitan areas, cities, and population groups of 65,000 people or more. http://www.census.gov/acs/www/

 

 

B.             American Marketplace: Demographics and Spending Patterns. (REF HF5415.33 A4) A handy compilation with nine chapters on education, health, housing, income, labor force, living arrangements, population, spending, and wealth.

 

 

C.             Current Population Reports. These reports are published to provide information between decennial censuses.  Topics include population estimates, household economic studies and consumer income. http://www.census.gov/main/www/cprs.html

 

 

D.            Decennial Census of Population and Housing. Washington, DC: GPO. Considered the mother lode of demographic data.  Contains information about every man, woman and child in the U.S. Statistics are either 100% or sample count. The Census 2000 gateway, including the 1990 census and selected historical census data is at http://www.census.gov/main/www/cen2000.html. The Census for 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000 are also available on CD-Rom.

 

 

E.             Editor and Publisher Market Guide. (REF HF 5905.E38) – similar information to S&MM, but the Market Guide reports on communities with a daily newspaper.

 

 

F.              National Archives and Records Administration. The National Archives preserves and makes available those records of the government that, for legal or historical reasons, are important enough to maintain. (http://www.archives.gov/).

 

 

G.            Rand McNally Commercial Atlas and Marketing Guide (REF G 1019 R22) (Atlas case). - Maps, population statistics and projections.

 

 

H.            Sales and Marketing Management (S&MM) Survey of Buying Power (REF HC 110.C6 585) This is a special issue of S&MM on commercial buying power, with demographic data (e.g., population, income, retail sales) organized by metropolitan statistical areas (SMAs) and SIC codes.  Published annually in two parts in Aug. and Nov.

 

 

I.               Statistical Abstract of the United States.  U.S. Department of Commerce.  Washington, D.C: GPO. 19--. REF HA 202. The current issue is kept at Ref. Desk. The Abstract is also available on the web at http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/. An excellent starting point for statistical information.  Use as a guide to other statistical sources.

 

 

IV.    Corporate Information

 

A.            Corporate Annual Reports

The library has a small collection of annual reports in paper form in the cabinet near the Reference Desk. If our library does not have your company's annual report, phone or write their investor relations office and ask for a copy, or try the following:

         

          Mergent. A web-based source that provides SEC filings and other financial information on publicly held companies. Mergent is available on the “Electronic Databases” drop down menu on the Library’s main page.

 

          Internet - Many, but not all, companies post their annual reports on the Internet. Try a site like AnnualReports.com, which supplies links to electronic annual reports. http://www.annualreports.com/

 

B.      Corporate Addresses and Basic Operating Information

 

1.      The Book of Lists (Kept at the Reference Desk). It contains 132 lists with financial and contact information over 3,500 Boston area companies and institutions.

 

 

2.      Dun’s Business Rankings (REF HG 4057 A237). Public and private companies are ranked by sales volume and employee size within industry category and state.

 

 

3.      Encyclopedia of Consumer Brands. 3 vols. Jorgensen, Janice, ed. Detroit: St. James Press, 1994 (REF HF 5415.3 .E527). Information on approximately 600 brands that have been leaders in their respective brand categories and that had a decided impact on American business or popular cultures.

 

 

4.      The Fortune 500 – An annual special issue of Fortune Magazine appearing in the April or May issues. The "International 500" issue comes out in August. (periodicals shelves).

 

 

5.      Hoover's Handbook of American Business (REF HG 4057 A28617). Profiles of 500 major U.S. companies.  Includes financial information, brands, and competitors.

 

 

6.      Hoover's Handbook of World Business (REF HG 4009 H66 2001). Profiles of major European, Asian, Latin American, and Canadian companies

 

 

7.      International Directory of Company Histories (REF HD 2721 I63). Detailed information on the development of the world's largest and most influential companies.

 

 

 

8.      ThomasNet.com. (http://www.thomasnet.com/).  ThomasNet.com is the most comprehensive resource for industrial information, products, services, CAD drawings, and more. Access over 650,000 industrial companies indexed by 67,000 product and service categories.  It includes links to supplier’s web sites.

 

 

9.      Trade Names Dictionary.(Ref T223.V4 A22 1988) - 2 volumes.

 

 

 

 

V.      Marketing Information

 

Guides

 

Strauss's handbook of business information.  Moss, Rita. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, 2004. (REF HF5351 .S77). Part one describes all kinds of business information sources in various formats. The second part discusses areas of business, such as marketing, and the specific resources for that area.

                  

 

Dictionaries

 

 

Dictionary of Marketing Terms. 2nd ed. Bennett, Peter D. Chicago: American Marketing Association, 1995. (REF HF 5415.D4874).  Concise definitions for over 5,000 terms of interest in the field of marketing.

 

 

Directories

 

The Encyclopedia of Associations (At Ref. Desk)- gives names and addresses of professional and business associations grouped by broad categories (e.g., educational, health care, etc.)  Contact the association for a particular field and ask them for information. 

 

National Trade and Professional Associations. (REF HD 2425 .D53). It lists over 7,600 trade associations, professional societies, labor unions, and similar national groups. Look in the subject index under "marketing", or a specific industry or field.

 

 

Statistical Sources

 

Rand McNally Commercial Atlas & Marketing Guide. Shelved in Atlas Case. Contains current economic and geographic information. With maps, charts, and tables, this atlas provides maximum demographic coverage of the U.S.

 

STAT-USA, a service of the U.S. Department of Commerce has two main sections. Use "State of the Nation" for current and historical economic and financial releases and economic data. Use "Globus and NTDB" for current and historical trade-related releases, international market research, trade opportunities, and country analysis. From the Library’s main page, use the "Electronic Databases” menu" to select "STAT-USA". A password is required; ask at the Ref. Desk. For Library use only.

 

 

Other Marketing Sources

 

The Dartnell Marketing Manager's Handbook. Levy, Sidney J. ed. Chicago: Dartnell Press. REF HF 5415.13 D33 1994. A comprehensive yet concise source of basic marketing information.

 

Editor and Publisher Market Guide (Editor & Publisher) (REF HF 5905 E38).

 

Marketer's guide to media   (REF HF5805.M435). This is a resource with rates and audience estimates for the major media: television, radio, print, and more.

 

Research in Marketing (Jai Press) (HF 5415.2 R47).

 

 

VI     Sources Outside the MacPhaidin Library

 

If, after searching on your own and consulting with a Reference Librarian, you determine that the information you need is not available in the MacPhaidin Library, other, outside sources be helpful.

 

Other Libraries - Libraries with good business/marketing collections include UMass Dartmouth, Northeastern University and Bentley College. Speak to the MacPhaidin Reference Librarians about locating specific resources, as well as for directions, hours, policies and phone numbers of other libraries. If a visit to another library is not practical, Interlibrary Loan may be an option. Speak with a Reference Librarian.

 

Local newspapers – Most small companies don’t get mentioned in the national business press. Sometimes you can find articles about small firms in their local papers. These papers often have web versions.

 

Personal Interviews - Call or write local business people that you know or identify through various sources. Although busy, they may be willing to help you. Don’t ask for information that you can obtain in other ways.

 

 

Some Additional World Wide Web Sites

 

In the vast contents of the Web, anything might be found.  To visit some marketing-oriented sites, try some of the bookmarks in the Business section of the "Subject Guides" page of the MacPhaidin Library web site. Use a search engine like Google or Yahoo! to look for homepages of particular companies or for specific information. Ask a Reference Librarian for help.

 

Excellent sources of information about specific topics in marketing include the Web sites of publications such as Advertising Age (http://www.adage.com) and Adweek, Brandweek, and Mediaweek (sharing a homepage at http://www.adweek.com).

 

Links to other significant trade publications include the following:

 

      http://www.businessweek.com.  From Business Week, an up-to-date and in-depth site featuring information about U.S. and global companies and business issues; search the weekly contents listing or the magazine's archives, which contain articles dating back to 1991.

 

      http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/.  The venerable Fortune 500 listing of top U.S. manufacturing and service firms can be accessed here, along with Fortune magazine's thorough, timely coverage of business trends and trend-setters.

 

Useful company information can be found at http://www.hoovers.com.  Here you can get concise descriptions of thousands of companies and links to 5,000 company Web sites plus much more.