Research Databases for International Business Information
Many resources are limited in their scope and only include information on companies and industries from the United States or North America. Both the research databases and free online resources listed below have information on international companies or provide in-depth country profiles, including industry and demographic information.
- Business Source Complete This link opens in a new window
Business Source Complete provides full text for more than 2,300 journals, including full text for more than 1,100 peer-reviewed titles. This database provides full text back to 1886, and searchable cited references back to 1998. It covers all disciplines of business, including marketing, management, MIS, POM, accounting, finance and economics. Includes market research reports, industry reports, country reports, company profiles and SWOT analyses.
- Mergent OnlineScroll down the list to find the database - Available through the Boston Public Library ( sign up for a BPL ecard ) this databases provides in depth reports on over 30,000 public companies, both U.S. and Global. Information includes financials from company SEC filings, annual reports (current and archived), institutional holdings and insider trading from 1995 to the present.
Books
Library Catalog
Combine a country name, such as "China" with these phrases:
business etiquette
business travel
commerce
corporate culture
capital market
finance
international business
Free Online Resources
In addition to the resources available through the MCLA Library, there are a number of companies and organizations that make some information available for free through their websites. Some of the information listed below will be completely available for free, while others will give you a preview in hopes that you will pay for more access.
- CIA World FactBookProvides quick reference about a country, such as population, currency, major industries, GDP, unemployment, inflation rate, imports/exports.
- Country Profiles and Territory Profiles from BBC NewsFull profiles provide an instant guide to history, politics and economic background of countries and territories, and background on key institutions. They also include audio and video clips from BBC archives.
- globalEDGEIn the Global Insights section, provides country economic statistics and risk assessment. From Michigan State University.
- The Federation of International Trade AssociationsNote their Country Profiles on the left. Their list of "really useful links" will help you find websites devoted to specific regions, topics such as international market research, International franchising, and more.
- International Tax and Business information from PriceWaterhouseCoopersIncludes list of "PwC Territory Sites" with links to specific countries' business and tax information.
- World Bank DataSelect a country, then browse by topic. Topics include oil and gas, private sector development, finance, etc.
- The World Bank: Doing BusinessA collection of World Bank Reports on doing business in various countries. Information on taxes, contracts, construction permits, property registration, etc.
- World Bank - Global Consumption DatabaseContains consumption data for 92 developing countries in the areas of housing, energy, financial services, etc.
Related Research Guides from other Universities
The University of Pennsylvania Business Library has created guides to doing business in specific regions and countries, including Asia, China, Japan, India, Latin America, the Middle East, North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Harvard Business School research guides include information on country research, business in China, and emerging markets.
Emory University's Goizueta Business Library has created a guide on Global Perspectives which presents databases and statistical sources for international business resources.