Company websites can provide a wealth of information. Companies will usually have websites that highlight their mission statements, list their products, and provide information for potential investors.
Step 1: Identify the Industry
Make a list of keywords and related synonyms (including broader and narrower terms). Find the relevant North American Industry Classification (NAICS) codes.
Step 2: Locate Industry Surveys, Overviews, & Reports
Check databases such as Business Source Complete, Regional Business News, Academic Search Complete, and Canadian Business and Current Affairs.
Step 3: Find Related Articles About the Industry
Look for business magazine, trade journal, and newspaper articles using the library databases to find more information regarding the industry.
Step 4: Visit Industry and Trade Association Websites
Websites for industries or trade associations can be found using a Google search or industry directories (see the information on this page). The articles found in step 3 can provide more ideas for searching industry names and associations.
Step 5: Determine Leading Companies (Rankings)
Learn who the industry leaders are. Library databases can be used to find articles about industry leaders. The Company Information and Company Profile tools in EBSCO can also be used to find industry leaders.
Step 6: Find Market Share Data and Other Industry Statistics
Statista and Statistics Canada can be helpful in finding this information.
Step 7: Use financial documents from Leading Companies to Gain Industry Insight
You can find more information and links for financial information in the Financial Information tab.
Step 8: Put It All Together!When using Business Source Complete, you can find specific industry and company information by searching by Document Type. Use the following steps:
1. Enter the industry or company name (or NAICS code) into the search box.
2. Scroll down to the "Document Type" area and select Industry Profile, Report, Trade Publication, or SWOT Analysis (depending on information need). You can also skip this step and filter later from the search results list.
