INDUSTRYSOURCES - GENERAL
There are various industry specific and general sources for industry information. The emphasis in this guide is on some of the sources of a more basic nature or sources with information on multiple industries. Since many trade associations provide some data on their web pages as well as produce print publications available in many libraries, I have included sources on finding trade associations.
Also, there are many, many directories in print and electronic formats that may of some use in finding those companies that compose the industry The Business Reference Services Company Research Guide lists a few of these in the Directories Section (< If you are looking for information on how a particular company fares within its industry or how industries compare with each other – sources on peer review (< are helpful. There is a compilation of sources of this nature on the Company Research Guides.
Although there are too many industries to include specific sources for all of them, the guide does list a few basic sources for some very big/common industries. Also, included are links to guides created by the Library of Congress. It should also be noted that there are a few publishers that focus on certain industries. Platt’s ( ) is good for oil and gas, Bacon’s is good for communications, Kagan ( ) is good for all aspects of telecommunications, while Plunkett’s ( publishes information on many different industries. You can find specific titles on the web pages though many libraries may not necessarily carry many of the titles because they can be quite expensive. Some of these publishers, Platt’s for instance, publish periodicals that are included in full-text databases (for example, some Platt’s publications can be found on Factiva).
Dun & Bradstreet/Gale Industry Reference Handbooks. Stacy A. McConnell, editor ; Linda D. Hall.
LC Call Number: HG4907.D86
LC Catalog Record: 00500443
This is a series arranged by Industry (Entertainment & Hospitality; Construction & Agriculture; Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals; Insurance & Health & Medical Services; Computers & Software & Broadcasting & Telecommunication). Within each there is industry overviews, statistics, rankings, association, companies, trade shows, financial norms, directory, and much more.
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Encyclopedia of American industries. Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research, c1994-
LC Call Number: HC102 .E53
LC Catalog Record: 2001223283
This data is also available in Thompson Gale’s Business & Company Resource database.
Encyclopedia of Emerging Industries. Detroit : Gale, c1998- .
LC Call Number: HD2324.E528
LC Catalog Record: 98660099
Fairly in-depth industry overviews with charts/graphics. This data is also available in Thompson Gale’s Business & Company Resource database.
Encyclopedia of Global Industries. Detroit, MI : Gale Research, 1996-.
LC Call Number: HD2324.E53
LC Catalog Record: 97661013
Fairly in-depth industry overviews with charts/graphics. This data is also available in Thompson Gale’s Business & Company Resource database.
Manufacturing & Distribution U.S.A. : Industry Analyses, Statistics, and Leading Companies. Detroit, Mich. : Gale Group, c2000-
LC Call Number: HD9721 .M3495
LC Catalog Record: 00214687
Market Share Reporter. Detroit, MI : Gale Research, c. 1991 -
LC Catalog Record: HF5410.M35
LC Control Number: 91649704
This publication is a compilation of top lists of companies and products which originally appeared in various publications, and articles. It is a companion to the World Market Share Reporter, but focuses on the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This data is also available in Thompson Gale’s Business & Company Resource database.
Mergent's Industry Review. New York, NY : Mergent FIS, c1999-
LC Call Number: HG4961 .M68
LC Catalog Record: sn 99048772
Mergent’s Internet product Mergent Online also has industry report that cover the the U.S. as well as Asia-Pacific and Europe.
S&P Industry Surveys
[New York] Standard & Poor's Corp.
LC Call Number: HC106.6.S74
LC Catalog Record: 77183941
These reports are also on the S&P Internet product S&P NetAdvantage.
U.S. Industry Profiles : USIP : the leading 100. New York : Gale Research, Inc., c1995-c1998.
LC Classification: HC101 .U1638
LC Catalog Record: 97640658
World Market Share Reporter. New York : Gale Research Inc., c1995-.
LC Call Number: HD2757.15.W67
LC Catalog Record: 95660036
This is a publication that is a compilation of top list of companies, products pulled from various publications, articles, etc. It is a companion to Market Share Reporter.
ASSOCIATIONS & DIRECTORIES – United States
Encyclopedia of Associations. Detroit, Gale Research Co., 1956-
LC Call Number: AS22 .E5
LC Catalog Record: 76046129
This data is also available in Thompson Gale’s Business & Company Resource database.
Encyclopedia of Associations. International Organizations. Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research, c1989-
LC Call Number: AS8 .E53
LC Catalog Record: 89645065
This data is also available in Thompson Gale’s Business & Company Resource database.
Encyclopedia of Associations. Regional, State, and Local Organizations. Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., c1987-
LC Call Number: AS22 .E53
LC Catalog Record: 87640488
This data is also available in Thompson Gale’s Business & Company Resource database.
Gale Encyclopedia of Business and Professional Associations. Detroit, MI : Gale Research Inc., c1995-
LC Call Number: HD2425 .G34
LC Catalog Record: 95649648
National Trade and Professional Associations of the United States. Washington, DC : Columbia Books, 1989-.
LC Call Number: HD2425 .D53
LC Catalog Record: 89659004
State and Regional Associations of the United States. Washington, D.C. : Columbia Books, 1989-
LC Call Number: HD2425 .S68
LC Catalog Record: 89641902
ASSOCIATIONS & DIRECTORIES –International
International Yearbook of Industrial Statistics. Vienna : United Nations Industrial Development Organization ; Aldershot, England ; Brookfield, Vt., USA : Edward Elgar, 1995-
LC Call Number:HC10 .I673
LC Catalog Record: 95648426
Structural statistics for industry and services = Statistiques de[s] structures de l'industrie et des services. Paris, France : Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, c2001-
LC Call Number:HC10 .I614
LC Catalog Record: 2001242108
INTERNET
U.S.
Yahoo! Industry Center
UK Trade & Investment(UK Dept. of Trade and Industry)
Includes links to reports on exporting to and from the U.S.
Fuld & Company
Rutgers guide
International
OECD
Statistical Agencies, International (US Bureau of the Census) Individual country statistical agency (links)
Links to individual country statistical agencies
Canadian industry statistics (Strategis. Industry Canada.)
National Statistics: UK
Includes UK industry statistics
Themes. Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Includes Australia industry statistics
Business finance from Statistics New Zealand. (New Zealand Official Statistics Agency)
Includes New Zealand industry statistics
Guides to Specific Industries
Automotive (U. S Library of Congress. Business Reference. Business & Economics Research Advisor, Issue 2)
NonProfit (U.S. Library of Congress. Business Reference. A Guide to Finding Business Information at the Library of Congress, Section 12.)
Service Industries (U.S. Library of Congress. Business Reference. A Guide to Finding Business Information at the Library of Congress, Section 4.)
Sports Business (U. S Library of Congress. Business Reference. Business & Economics Research Advisor, Issue 3-4)
Oil & Gas (U. S Library of Congress. Business Reference. Business & Economics Research Advisor, Issue 5-6)
DATABASES
Many of the full-text databases can be used to search for articles discussing a particular industry. Many of these are available in many university or public libraries for use by patrons and students. Some are very good at subject indexing and some – like Business & Industry and TableBase – also use the SIC/NAICS code systems.
To see a description of several mentioned below ( BUSINESS ones only and the EPUBLICATIONS & TOOLS)
Factiva
ABI/INFORM
Infotrac (Gale)
Business & Industry (RDS)
Business & Company Resource Center (Gale)
TableBase (Gale)
Academic Search Premier (EBSCO)
etc.
Other databases to mention are S&P’s NetAdvantage which does have copies of the S&P industry surveys and Mergent Online which has historical copies of the Moody’s Manuals but also has industry reports for various industry in North American, Asia Pacific, and Europe. Business & Company Resources (Gale) also has Datamonitor reports as well as information from Gale’s print titles that cover industry information (see PRINT sources above).
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SUBJECTS
Additional works on various industries in the Library of Congress may be identified by searching the Online Catalog ( under appropriate Library of Congress subject headings. Below is just a sampling of industries. Selecting a subject headings below will link you directly to the Catalog and automatically execute a search for the authorized subject selected. Please be aware that during periods of heavy use you may encounter delays in accessing the catalog. For assistance in locating other subject headings related to this topic, please consult a reference librarian (
Market Surveys.
Market surveys--United States.
Industries.
Industries--United States.
Construction industry--United States.
Mineral industries--United States.
Agricultural industries--United States.
Manufacturing industries.
Manufacturing industries--United States.
Manufactures.
Service industries.
Service industries--United States--Statistics--Periodicals.
Information services industry--United States.
Financial services industry--United States.
Insurance--United States.
Real estate business--United States.
Transportation--United States.
Public utilities--United States.
United States--Industries.