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DBA GUIDE
INDUSTRY RESEARCH
Every company or business is part of an industry. Industries have been defined and codified by the U.S. federal government. Some industry information is organized by the industry code (NAICS or SIC) rather than the industry name.
- North American Industry Classification (NAICS)
(NAICS) Defines industries across North America (Canada, United States, and Mexico) and provides industry codes, since 1997. In the search box, enter the name of the industry or keywords to describe the business idea. Review the definition to be sure this is the correct industry. - Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) System Search
(SIC) Predates NAICS. Defines U.S. industries and provides industry codes. Some resources still use the SIC code rather than the NAICS code. Enter the name of the industry in the keyword search box. Review the definition to be sure this is the correct industry.
- Mergent Archives This link opens in a new windowIf you already have a company but don't know what code(s) are associated with it, try Mergent Intellect.
Search for the company name, in the Company Search and view the company profile. You can see the SIC and NAICS codes assigned by this database under Company Details->Company Overview.
- Business Source Complete (EBSCO) This link opens in a new window
This link opens in a new window
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
1. Enter the NAICS code in the first search box on the initial screen of the Business Source Complete database.
2. Drop down the "Select a Field ..." menu to the right of that search box.
3. Click on "IC NAICS Code or Description."
4. Scroll down the page.
5. Click on the "Full Text" box in the "Limit Your Results" section of the page.
6. Click on “Industry Overview” in the “Document Types” menu in the “Limit Your Results” section of the page.
7. Click on “Search.”
INDUSTRY PROFILE
1. Enter the NAICS code in the first search box on the initial screen of the Business Source Complete database.
2. Drop down the "Select a Field ..." menu to the right of that search box.
3. Click on "IC NAICS Code or Description."
4. Click on the "Full Text" box in the "Limit Your Results" section of the page.
5. Click on “Industry Profile” in the “Publication Type” menu in the “Limit Your Results” section of the page. (Could also limit to "Market Research Report," OR "SWOT Analysis.")
6. Click on “Search.”
If more than one entry is listed, click on the one with your NAICS number and a keyword for your industry. This gives you access to a report that can range from something like 30 to 100+ pages and contains market reports, industry trends, and demographic data.
Note: There are some industries for which there is no industry profile in the Business Source Complete database. - First Research Industry Studies (Dun & Bradstreet) This link opens in a new windowA Dun and Bradstreet database offering industry profiles for over 900 industries with many providing international information.
- Mergent Archives This link opens in a new windowMergent Archives is an online database providing you with access to a vast, indexed collection of corporate and industry related documents. Containing more than 180,000 documents covering over 100 countries and industries, Mergent Archives uses a reliable and easy to navigate system designed to meet your historical research needs.
- Current Industrial ReportsThe Current Industrial Report (CIR) program provides monthly, quarterly, and annual measures of industrial activity, including data on the production and shipments of selected products.
- ValuationResources.com
A free resource that covers more than 400 industries. For each industry, it includes overviews, key issues, trends, and the industry's outlook, as well as financial benchmarking, compensation surveys, and valuation resources. - International Trade Administration Office of Industry Analysis
Provides information including international statistics, industry analysis, competitiveness, and trade data, as well as recent reports and news about a number of different industries. - U.S. Bureau of Labor Industries at a Glance
The U.S. Bureau of Labor, includes reports on over 100 industries, organized by NAICS code or industry name, focusing on employment, labor, and trends.
- Mergent Intellect This link opens in a new windowIf you want to generate industry ratios for a customized list of companies:
Under the search box, click "Key Business Ratios."
- Census Quarterly Financial ReportEstimates of industry financials, including selected financial and operating ratios (i.e., ROA, ROE). Data for thirty-four, primarily manufacturing, industries.
- Current Industrial ReportsThe Current Industrial Report (CIR) program provides monthly, quarterly, and annual measures of industrial activity, including data on the production and shipments of selected products.
- ValuationResources.comA free resource that covers more than 400 industries. For each industry, it includes overviews, key issues, trends, and the industry's outlook, as well as financial benchmarking, compensation surveys, and valuation resources.
Often, when looking up market information in search engines like Google, you will find all sorts of reports. However, you'll also find that most of the reports cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to access. We typically do not have access to these types of reports at IWU, but it can be helpful to read the table of contents or the preview they provide to help steer you in the right direction for additional information.
- Business Source Complete (EBSCO) This link opens in a new window
- This link opens in a new window
MARKET RESEARCH REPORTS
1. In the first search box, type in your company or industry
2. To the left of the results, find the Source Types section and look for Market Research Reports. Industry profiles often include this information as well.
OR
2. To your initial search, add "market share" (in quotations) to the second search box
3. Read through the results to see what information you find
- Statistics of U.S. Businesses (SUSB)Use the resources through the Census Bureau's website to access information about businesses - such as the number of business that are in an industry (by NAICS code) in a specific area.
- ValuationResources.comA free resource that covers more than 400 industries. For each industry, it includes overviews, key issues, trends, and the industry's outlook, as well as financial benchmarking, compensation surveys, and valuation resources.
- US Census BureauU.S. Census Bureau platform that provides data on the U.S. people and economy: population, education, business, employment, health, housing, income and poverty, economy, families and living arrangements, and international trade.
