Industry Research 

Classification

Many sources define and organize industry information according to standard classifications. Use the classification tables to identify the 4-6 digit code for your research.

• NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System) used for the U.S. Economic Census and County Business Patterns. (Service Desk PREX 2.6/2:IN 27/CLOTH)
• SIC (Standard Industrial Classification)
• NAICS-SIC Bridge

Industry Overviews

U.S. Government Information

• Annual Survey of Manufactures
• County Business Patterns provides County, State, U.S. or Zip data by NAICS and SIC
• Current Industrial Reports
• Economic Census is a profile of American business compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau every 5 years. Contains industry reports and statistics from the national to local level.

Library Collection: Value-added sources

• Standard and Poor Industry Surveys, 3 vols. report on each of 52 industries describing key companies, the current environment and issues, and point to relevant Web sites and associations. (Business Ready Reference HG4501 .S27)
• Value Line Investment Survey, see Industry Commentary for short overview. (Online and at Service Desk)
• MarketLine Business Information Center profiles over 3000 industries in countries around the world.
• Encyclopedia of American Industries, 2 vols. provides comprehensive overviews and recommendations for further reading. Arranged by SIC. (Business Ready Reference HC102 .E53 2005)
• Dun & Bradstreet/Gale Group Industry Handbook, 5 vols. (HG4907 .D86 2000)

Industry News

Industry Associations

Trade associations often publish news and statistics in newsletters, magazines, or on their Web sites. Association publications may be available through ABI/Inform periodical index. Use the Publication Search tab tab in that database to find a specific trade magazine.

• Industry Portals is part of the Industry Research Desk sponsored by Polson Enterprises and provides links to many industry publications.
• BizLink lists industry news sites under the Industry Research link.

Databases/Periodical Indexes

• ABI/INFORM Suite indexes full-text articles from many trade magazines and regional business journals.
• LexisNexis Academic provides a Business search form in the left menu for business and industry related searches.
• Business Source Premier

Rankings & Ratios

See Business Financial and Operating Ratios subject pathfinder for complete information.

• Almanac of Business and Industrial Ratios contains financial and operating ratios for around 180 industries, covering 50 performance indicators. Accompanying cd-rom is stored at Service Desk. (Business Ready Reference HF5681.R25 T68)
• RMA Annual Statement Studies, Including Comparative Historical Data and Other Sources of Composite Financial Data (Business Ready Reference HF5681.B2 R6)
• BizStats
• Mergent's Industry Review compiles rankings, financial data, comparative statistics and composite stock prices for 137 industry groups.  (Business Ready Reference HG4961 .M68 2005)

More Help with Industry Research

Web Sites

• BizLink
• Competia Express is a portal to information on over 40 industries. Links related to each industry point to associations, online publications, company information, daily news, and more.
• Fuld & Company scroll to the Industry-Internet Resources link.
• Yahoo Industry Center

Library Books for Industry Research

• Business Statistics of the United States, (Service Desk)
• Manufacturing & Distribution U.S.A.: Industry Analyses, Statistics, and Leading Companies, (Business Ready Reference HD9721 .M3495 2004)
• Market Share Reporter, arranged in SIC order to show market share of companies, brands, and services. (Business Ready Reference HF5410 .M35 2005)

garrisoj@ipfw.edu 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd. Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499 260-481-6499 Fax: 260-481-6509 Judith Garrison M.L.S. Reference & Information Services Librarian Liaison to Accounting & Finance, Career, Economics, Management & Marketing, Labor Studies, Public & Environmental Affairs Helmke Library, LB160