You may need some background information to get started with your research. The resources in this section are all located in the library's Reference Collection and will provide you with more in depth information on business concepts and practices.
Encyclopedias provide more detailed information about business topics.
Accountant's Handbook Ref HF 5621 .A22 1981
Information on accounting principles and practices.
The Advertising Age Encyclopedia of Advertising Ref HF5803 .A38 2003
History of advertising agencies, brands, and markets as well as articles on advertising practice and theory.
Encyclopedia of American Industries Ref HC 102 .E53 1998
A two volume encyclopedia focused on manufacturing and service industries. Includes industry snapshots, background, current conditions, and leaders.
Encyclopedia of Busine$$ and Finance Ref HF 1001 .E466 2001
A two volume encyclopedia with over 300 entries on all areas of business.
Encyclopedia of Economics Ref HB 61 .E55
One to twelve page articles on approximately 200 economics subjects. Articles are signed.
Encyclopedia of Major Marketing Campaigns Ref HF 5837 .E53 2000
A history of major advertising campaigns focusing on the growth of major brands and their relationships to consumers throughout the 20th century.
Encyclopedia of Money Ref HG 216 .A43 1999
300 articles on topics related to the development of monetary and banking systems.
The New Palgrave: A Dictionary of Economics Ref HB 61 .N49 1987
Includes economics topics, concepts, and biographies. Bibliographies are provided for the majority of the entries. Articles are signed.
The New Palgrave: Dictionary of Money and Finance Ref HG 151 .N48 1992
Signed articles, with bibliographies, on monetary and financial topics.
St. James Encyclopedia of Banking & Finance Ref HG151 .M8 1991
Dictionaries provide briefer definitions of business terms and concepts.
Dictionary of Advertising Terms Ref HF 5803 .T37 1977
Words and terms used by North American advertisers and marketers.
Dictionary of Banking and Finance Ref HG 151 .D365
Brief definitions of banking and finance terms, including acronyms.
Dictionary of Business Ref HF1001 .C626 2001
Dictionary of Business and Management Ref HF 1001 .R79 1993
7,500 business terms including acronyms, abbreviations, and slang.
Dictionary of Economics Ref HB 61 .B554 1997
Basic economics dictionary for students and lay readers.
The Dictionary of International Business Terms Ref HD 62.4 .S 524 1998
Covers a wide variety of business aspects with a focus on use in international business.
Dictionary of Marketing Ref HF 5415 .O76
Non-technical definitions of terms and phrases related to marketing and related topics.
St. James Encyclopedia of Banking and Finance Ref HG 151 .M8 1991
Terms related to banking, finance, and investment.
Encyclopedia of International Commerce Ref HF 1001 .M55
Terms related to international trade.
Human Resources Glossary : The Complete Desk Reference for HR Executives, Managers, and Practitioners Ref HF5549.A23 T73 1998
The Investor's Dictionary Ref HG 4513 .R67
Definitions of terms from the securities, commodities, futures exchange systems, and financial markets.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Modern Economics Ref HB 61 .M3 1983
Definitions of economics terms and descriptions of related organizations.
Understanding American Business Jargon : A Dictionary Ref HF1001 .F65 1997
Wall Street Words Ref HG 4513 .S37
Focus on investing vocabulary including sentences illustrating uses of terms.
It is recommended that you begin with the database at the top of the list as you look begin to look for general business information. To make your searching more effective do the following:
If you are finding too much information be more specific in your search. Add other words or concepts related to your topic.
Look for ways to Limit your results. This can either be by specific dates or material types.
Make sure the type of information you are looking for is included in the database you are searching. For example: if you are looking for newspaper articles be sure the database includes newspapers.
Books are retrieved using MILLINET Online, the library's book catalog. You may wish to borrow books from other libraries, do this by clicking on the ILCSO libraries link in the bar at the top of MILLINET screen.
Print sources are often the quickest, easiest place to locate company information: full company name/parent company, address, SIC codes, summary sales figures, employees, etc.
Directory of Corporate Affiliations: Ref HG 4057 .A217 (Shelved at Ready Reference - Research Assistance Desk)
Use the Company Index in Vol. 1 to locate your company. Consult the cited volume and page for detailed information. Tip: Be sure to note whether this is a public or private company, this will make a difference in where you look for information and what kinds of reports the company is required to file.
World Business Directory Ref HF54.U5 W667 2001
Locate company histories
International Directory of Company Histories Ref HD 2721 .I63 v.1-present
Company histories, check most recent volume's index for coverage. The best starting place, hand's down!
World Class Business Ref HD 2755.5 .M384 1992
Four to ten page histories of approximately 100 large companies.
Hoover's Handbook of American Business Ref HG 4027.5 .H62 2004
Brief histories and company information for major American public companies.
Hoover's Handbook of Emerging Companies Ref HG 4027.5 .H64 2004
Brief histories and company information for high-growth enterprises in a variety of industries.
Hoover's Handbook of Private Companies Ref HG 4027.5 .H65 2004
Brief histories and company information for major U.S. private companies.
Hoover's Handbook of World Business Ref HG 4027.5 .H63 2004
Brief histories and company information for major global enterprises.
Moody's Industrial Manual Ref HG 4961 .I67
Provides chronological histories for companies as well as financial information and ratings.
Acquire Company Financial Information
Numerous financial reports are available on Lexis-Nexis via the Business link.
To access: Click onthe LexisNexis link available from the Library's list of business databases. Choose "Business" from the menu on the left-hand side. Then choose which area you wish to search: Company Financial Reports, Company Profiles, Compare Companies, SEC Filings & Reports.
To determine a company's SIC or NAICS code, try these resources:
LexisNexis (Business)
To access this databases, go to the Library's business databases section. Click on the link to LexisNexis, and then choose "Business" from the menu on the left-hand side. Click on "Company Profiles" and search for a company in the S&P Corporate Descriptions.
Directory of Corporate Affiliations: Ref HG 4057 .A217 (Shelved at Ready Reference - Research Assistance Desk)
SIC codes provided in company information/descriptions.
Standard & Poor's Register of Corporations, Directors and Executives Ref HG 4057 .A4 1998
SIC codes provided in company information/descriptions.
Standard Industrial Classification Manual Ref HF 1042 .S7 (Shelved at Ready Reference - Research Assistance Desk)
Be sure to make note of the name of both the specific industry associated with the SIC code and the broader (3 digit) Industry Group No. There will be sources where industries will be listed by name, not SIC code.
Determine company position in an industry and its competitors:
Use these sources to locate information about companies that are the major players in a specific industry. These sources will provide profiles, rather than detailed information about the companies. In most cases you will need to use the SIC code to locate company lists within a specific industry.
Analysis and in depth information for 52 major industry groups, each industry is updated every six months with many sections including monthly statistical information. Search by company name or industry.
Instructions for using Industry Surveys.
Directory of Corporate Affiliations: Ref HG 4057 .A217 (Shelved at Ready Reference - Research Assistance Desk)
See SIC Index in each volume for companies within an industry. Provides basic company information, subsidiaries, affiliates, etc.
Value Line Investment Summary Ref HG 4501 .V26
See Industry Rank numerical rankings in the Summary section, provided by industry name not SIC code.
Moody's Industry Review Ref HG 4961 .M69 1994
Comparative statistics, rankings, and growth rates for companies within an industry.
