Research Guides: BLI 1210: Business Communications: Business Library Research Assignment

Company & Industry Resources

Company Website
Search the About Us section of a company's website to view its history, culture, mission, job/employee info.

Value Line Research Center This link opens in a new window
Search by company name or ticker symbol. Includes Commentary section with current and past company indicators and trends, and Industry Analysis that discusses industry health and trends as well as competitors.
Mergent Intellect This link opens in a new window
Search by company name or ticker to see public and private companies and industries. The First Research industry reports include industry trends, and information from industry leaders.
To access First Research industry reports, click on First Research below the main search box and then, the orange Submit button on the left side of the page.
View the Company Searching tutorial for more insights.
IBISWorld This link opens in a new window
Search by NAICS code, industry keywords, or company name to find US industry-specific reports.
View the Industry Research tutorial for more insights.
Business Source Complete This link opens in a new window
Search by company name, ticker, NAICS code, to find news and articles.
View the Company Research and Industry Research tutorials for more insights.

Sample APA Citations

These citations are based on APA 7th edition but have been modified to meet the requirements of SMU Cox School of Business instructors. Check with your professor regarding the appropriate citation style for your course.

The following is an example of references on a reference page for the type of sources you will be using for this assignment. Examples of in-text references can be found in Citing Business Sources.

References

American Airlines Group, Inc. (2021). American Airlines Group, Inc. [Corporate structure]. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com

Company Website Plain English Example: Corporation/Group/Organization Name. (Year Website was last updated/published). Title of website. (Tab/Section Information was retrieved from). Retrieved from URL

Egan, S. (2020, October). Car & automobile manufacturing in the U.S. IBISWorld Industry Report 33611a. Retrieved from IBISWorld database

First Research. (2020). Wireless telecommunications services [Industry profile]. Retrieved from Mergent Intellect database

FTSE Russell. (2020). Verizon Communications, Inc. [Competitors list]. Retrieved from Mergent Intellect database

Gambardella, A. (2020, April). Private equity, hedge funds, and investment vehicles in the U.S. [Industry Outlook]. IBISWorld Industry Report 52599. Retrieved from IBISWorld database

Hughes, J. & Ertel, D. (2020, July/August). What is your negotiation strategy? Harvard Business Review, 98(4), 66-75. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database

The NBA’s top earners. (2021, February/March). Forbes, Inc. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database

Value Line. (2020, May 1). Adobe Systems. Value Line Investment Survey. Retrieved from Value Line Research Center

Why Do I Need This Guide?

It is important for you to know how to find authoritative sources for your company, its industry, as well as articles that indicate a company's trends. This research guide contains access to and information about sources you will use in this course to ensure success as you progress through your business classes and into your career.

BLI 1210 Class Presentation

Company Research Worksheet
This downloadable Excel Spreadsheet includes four tabs:
1. Research Spreadsheet
2. Library Research Instructions
3. Reference samples (to aid in citing sources)
4. Detailed Explanations (FAQs)

Use the Company Research Worksheet to cover key aspects of the company and its primary industry.
Company Research Handout
This handout will help you remember the steps used for researching your chosen company

Further Your Skills with Workshops

The hands-on Career Management Research workshop focuses on more resources for company, industry, and article searching connected to conducting an effective job search.

Business Research Workshops

Need a different time? If you have a group of 4 or more, we can add a session for you. Request a workshop.

Related Guides

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