LibGuides: BUSN 3314: Sustainability and CSR: Business research

Finding a business to research

Strategy 1: Consult your own information ecosystem

What companies are targeting your for advertising on social media?
What companies do you have a connection to or interest in?
What companies provide products or services you buy and use?

Strategy 2: In the news

Use Google News and/or news databases (especially business news resources, like the Financial Times or Economist) to search by keyword for companies mentioned in association with a particular issue.

Strategy 3: Look at business lists

Use Fortune 500 or other lists to review lists of companies in different spaces
Look at up-and-coming business leaders, such as the Forbes 30 under 30

Strategy 4: Look at industry leaders

Use a database like Hoover's, IBISWorld, or Business Source Complete to find market leaders

Company Information and Financial Data

SEC EDGAR
All companies, foreign and domestic, are required to file registration statements, periodic reports, and other forms electronically through EDGAR. Anyone can access and download this information for free. You'll probably be most interested in company annual reports, designated as 10-K statements.

OTHER ACCESS METHODS FOR FINANCIAL DATA

Google Finance

Yahoo Finance

Company annual financial reports are usually also available at a company's website. Google the company name + "financial statement" or "investor relations."

Company and Industry Analysis

Hoover's (off-campus access available) This link opens in a new window
Business data includes Annual Revenues, Employee Counts, Corporate Family Tree, Key Contacts, Analyst Reports, SWOT reports, stock data, financials and other vital information.
Business Source Complete This link opens in a new window
Case studies, investment research reports, industry reports, market research reports, country reports, company profiles, SWOT analyses and more.
MarketScope Advisor This link opens in a new window
Contains detailed descriptions of companies, industries, and mutual funds; company information includes a description of the company, stocks & bond issues, earnings estimates, dividend and split history and more.
IBISWorld This link opens in a new window
IBISWorld research reports contain trends, statistics and analysis on market size, market share of competitors, and industry growth rates. Performance analysis includes emerging industry trends as well as recent production performance and 5 year forecasts.