Rutgers University Libraries Resources for Business Strategy
Ryan Womack, Business & Economics Librarian, rwomack@rci.rutgers.edu
One excellent place to start your research is with Rutgers Libraries' Business Research Guide, which contains links to the best business sources on the web and in print. To access, go to the Libraries home page (www.libraries.rutgers.edu), then choose "Research Resources", then "Subject Research Guides", then "Business".
The following list highlights some of the major sources available through the library web page and in Kilmer Library. Remember, if you're not finding what you need, ask a reference librarian!
All databases listed here are found under “Research Resources” => “Indexes & Databases”. Use your NetID to login for off-campus access.
I. Periodical sources for business research
Business Source Premier - Best coverage of scholarly business literature, plus good coverage of general business periodicals.
Business & Industry - In-depth coverage of specialized trade periodicals (e.g., Battery Industry Guide, Canadian Plastics). TableBase extracts statistical information from the same periodicals. Can contain market share, market size, and various rankings for companies, industries, and brands.
Factiva - Covers over 10,000 periodicals, including business newspapers and magazines. Search by keyword or company. Searches can be customized to search particular periodicals, locations, or date ranges. Best source for current news.
LEXIS-NEXIS Academic - Coverage of business periodicals and general US news, plus extensive legal and accounting materials. Biographical resources are found under the “Reference” link, including information from S&P Register. Best source for legal materials.
Regional Business News – for local business papers such as NJ Biz.
II. Biographical Information
LEXIS-NEXIS Academic – see above.
Standard & Poor’s Register (Kilmer Ref HG4057.A4)
Biographical volume that lists information for key executives, including school of graduation and board and club memberships.
Who’s Who in Finance & Industry (Kilmer Ref HF3023.A2W5)
Detailed biographical facts for those individuals included.
III. Industry Information
Detailed analytical reports of trends in major and specialized industry segments. Does not cover all areas systematically.
Brief reports on industry conditions, competitor profiles (including SWOT analysis).
Mintel Reports Current market research and survey data, with a focus on consumer products. Registration required.
Standard & Poor's Industry Surveys (Kilmer Ref HC106.6 .S74)
Overview of broad industry segments, including recent developments, forecasts, and guides on how to analyze companies in the industry. A brief statistical overview of leading companies in the industry includes some ratios and rates of return.
Also consult the Industry Research Subject Research Guide.
IV. Company Information
Analyst reports produced by brokerage houses and banks on individual companies. Good for current gossip, financial projections.
Excellent data source. Historical balance sheets, along with descriptions of acquisitions and mergers, lines of business, bond issues, etc. Annual reports, company-industry comparative statistics, and company histories are also available.
Largest company directory, contains basic information for all identifiable US companies.
Mergers and acquisitions database can be searched for trends in an industry, or by company.
For further leads, consult the Company Research Subject Research Guide.