Selected Resources
GBUS 464
Fall Semester, 2006

Table of Contents


Books
There are two resources that will assist in locating items in the Lehigh University libraries and in other libraries. They are:
  1. ASA, The Library's Online Catalog. This lists all the items in the library and their location. This resource is available via the Network Server and the Web.
  2. WorldCat. This is a catalog that lists over 51 million items including books, journals, audio-visual, CD-ROMs and software. These resources may be obtained via Lehigh's Interlibrary Loan.

Remember: Use ASA to locate books, journals, A-V materials, and CD-ROMs. Generally, journal articles are not indexed in ASA. In WorldCat, there are now full text articles available on this database on a LIMITED basis.


Industry Information
These resources can be used to locate information on industries. They are:
  1. Associations Unlimited. This is also available in print and its title is Encyclopedia of Associations. Its call number is 061.3/G152e/FM-1-R-REF.
  2. Investext. Has information on industries from over 500 Wall Street and international stock brokerage firms.
  3. Journal indexes list articles on industries. See the Journal Index section for a listing of indexes.
  4. Standard and Poor's Industry Surveys. 338/S781I/FM-1-Ref (On Reserve). Analyzes specific industries on quarterly basis. Trends, financial information, and industry data are available. Earlier volumes are available in the stacks back to 1976.
  5. Standard and Poor's Market Insight. This contains a wealth of company and industry information. It includes the S&P Industry Surveys.

Industry Ratios
  1. Almanac of Business and Financial Ratios. 338.973/T864/FM-1-Ref. This is annual publication with earlier editions in the stacks.
  2. Factiva. By using the Company Quick Search, you can select more reports including the Comparison Report or Key Financial Ratios.
  3. RMA Annual Statement Studies. 338/R642/FM-1-Ref. This is an annual (that is on reserve) with earlier editions in the stacks.
  4. Industry Norms and Key Business Ratios. 338.5/I42/FM-1-Ref. Latest edition is on reserve with earlier editions in the stacks. Produced by Dun and Bradstreet.

General Statistical Resources
The listed resources will give statistics on industries, general economy and population that are produced by the Federal Government. Many of the same statistics are available on the Web (See the listings under the Web section for the URLs of Federal Government Statistical Sites.) These are:
  1. Business Statistics of the United States. 338.09/B976a/FM-1-Ref. This is a biennial publication with the cumulation of statistical data for series appearing the Survey of current business from 1947 to year prior to publication.
  2. Demographics USA (ZIP ed.). 658.8/D383/FM-1-Ref. This provides statistics on population (including age and sex), effective buying income, employment by industry and retail sales. This is by Zip code.
  3. Lexis Nexis Statistical. This is an index of statistics that were previously published in the print indexes that are listed above. Also this is compilation of statistics from a variety of sources some of which are available in print and/or on the fiche at Fairchild Library. NOTE: Web version does not have all of the statistics that are available in print. Its URL is http://www.lexis-nexis.com/statuniv.
  4. Sales & Marketing Management. Back issues are on microfilm and current issues are in print and shelved in Fairchild Library. This publication has special issues on various topics, i.e., buying power and media markets. Good source for the population and buying power of the states and their counties. Its URL is http://asa.lib.lehigh.edu/cgi-bin/pubid?Pub=28583.
  5. Statistical Abstract of the United States. 317.2/U58s/FM-1-RRef. Latest edition is in Ready Reference with earlier editions in the stacks.
  6. STAT-USA. This is a compendium of government statistical information on the Web. It is available through the Article Abstracts and Databases on the Virtual Library. It gives information on general economic conditions in the United States, i.e., Consumer Price Index and Leading Economic Indicators. This compendium contains on the National Trade Data Bank. This gives information on foreign trade statistics of the U.S., trade opportunities and information on a foreign country's rules and regulations.
  7. Survey of Current Business. C59.11/1. This is received monthly and is shelved at Fairchild Library.
  8. World Almanac. 317.3/W927/FM-1-R-Ref. Quick source of information that will give the answer and/or provides information on where to find the answer.

Company and Stock Information
These resources can be use for information about the company's profitability, information on its charitable foundation's name and address, etc. They are:
  1. Company Web Pages. They have quantitative and qualitative information on the given company.
  2. Factiva. The Company Quick Search option has the information from annual reports, etc.
  3. Investext. This has quantitative and qualitative information on companies.
  4. Journal indexes list articles on companies. See the database section for a listing of indexes.
  5. Lexis Nexis Academic. This database has sections entitled Industry & Market News and Company Financial Information.
  6. Mergents' Manuals…(Formerly Moody's). 332.6/M817/FM-1-Ref. Financial data on companies including income statements balance sheets and company history. 6 parts: Bank and Finance, Industrials, Municipals and Government, Over the Counter, Public Utilities and Transportation. Earlier editions located in the stacks.
  7. SEC Edgar Database. See World Wide Web for description.

Journal Indexes and Other Resources
Locating articles with quantitative and qualitative information on companies and industries may be found using these indexes. Also, the articles may have information on companies, local governments, and local organizations. URL is http://databases.lib.lehigh.edu/finder/. They are:
  1. ABI-Inform Dateline. Indexes resources with local and regional business news coverage of companies, business. and the economy.
  2. ABI-Inform Global. Indexes over 1400 journals in management and business. Coverage is from 1987 for most journals. About 45% of the articles are available in full text.
  3. ABI-Inform Trade & Industry. Indexes resources with a trade or industry focus.
  4. Academic Index (Infotrac). Covers over 1400 journal going back to 1980. Some articles are available in full text.
  5. Applied Science and Technology Abstracts. Covers articles in the engineering, technology and business fields.
  6. Econlit. A good index for the research journals that cover company and industry information from a business and economic perspective.
  7. Engineering Index (a.k.a. Compendex). The index provides access to journal articles, trade journals and conference proceedings. Its B2B coverage is good.
  8. Factiva. It has over 8000 publications with some back to the early 1980's. (This is the replacement for Dow Jones Interactive.)
  9. Faulkner Advisory for IT Studies. Covers the information technology area with reports, evaluations and general information.
  10. Lexis Nexis Academic. Provides full text of journals, newspapers, and wire services relating to business information. It also has full text legal materials such court decisions, legislation and regulations.
  11. Metadex. This has a sub file called the Materials Business File. This indexes the business aspects of the materials area.
  12. PsycInfo. A good source for journal articles on consumer and marketing behavior.
  13. Research Library. Covers the popular journal literature with some articles available in full text.
  14. Sociological Abstracts. This covers research in demographics, social psychology and community development.
  15. Web of Science and Knowledge. This resource indexes over 8500 research journals covering sciences, engineering, business, social sciences and arts and humanities.

Electronic Journals
Another source of full text journal articles is the electronic journal (a.k.a. e-journal). We have access to many e-journal collections through a variety of sources. To access them, click on this URL: http://www.lehigh.edu/library/ejournals/ . The following sources have economic, finance and management journals that will help with your research. They are:
  1. Emerald Library. This resource is heavily weighted in the management area. It is a good source for supply chain management information.
  2. JStor. This is a good source for locating articles concerning B2B marketing . (NOTE: this has a two to five year delay in mounting the articles.

World Wide Web
Using a search engine, e.g., Google, you will find information that may be useful.  Examples are government, associations, and companies.   They provide facts, figures, and reports that may be important to your research.  There are multi-search engines that makes searching the Web more efficient.  Dogpile.com is an example of these multi-search engines.  Its URL is http://www.dogpile.com.  Remember: anyone can put up a web page with information. Is the information on the web page reliable?

Statistical Resources on the Web are:

  1. Company Web Pages. They have quantitative and qualitative information on the given company.
  2. Salary.com. This site provides information on salary and benefits for job titles. Its URL is http://www.salary.com/.
  3. SEC Edgar Database. This resource has the required filings from publicly traded companies. Its URL is http://www.sec.gov/.

These sites have statistics on the economy that are produced by the Federal Government. They are:

  1. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Its URL is http://www.bea.gov/.
  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Its URL is http://www.bls.gov/.
  3. Federal Statistics site. Its URL is http://www.fedstats.gov/.
  4. Securities and Exchange Commission. Its URL is http://www.sec.gov/.
  5. U.S. Census Bureau. Its URL is http://www.census.gov/.

Government Resources
The Federal Government and Pennsylvania publish a variety of statistics that can help with your projects. Listed below are resources that may have useful statistics. NOTE: There are more resources listed in the WWW Section. The Federal Government publishes the items, numbered 1-9, and Pennsylvania publishes the ones, numbered 10-14. They are:
  1. Area Trends in Employment and Unemployment. 331.112/U581a/FM-2-DOC-R. Excellent source for employment figures.
  2. County Business Patterns. C 3.204/4: 994-95/FM-2-DOC-R. Available on CD-ROM and in print. Gives business and employment information by county and business category.
  3. GPO Monthly Catalog (U.S. government publications). This is the Web of the Monthly Catalog of U.S. Government Documents (print version). Its call number is 015.73/U5m/FM-2-DOC-R
  4. National Compensation Survey. (Also known as Area wage surveys). L2.121/38: /FM-2-DOC. Surveys the local salary and wage base for various occupations. Available at this URL http://stats.bls.gov/ and in print.
  5. REIS (computer file): Regional Economic Information System. C59.24:969-96/CD. Contains valuable information on local area. Remember: Information may be dated.
  6. SPI: State Personal Income, 1929-1997. C59.25:929-97. Available on CD-ROM.
  7. Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. Published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Dept. of Labor. It gives information on local employment and wage scales on a national, state and metropolitan area. A good source for wage cost estimates. Its URL is http://stats.bls.gov/oes/oes_data.htm.
  8. Small Business Administration . Its URL is http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov/
  9. U.S. Business Advisor. This is a business information resource from the Small Business Administration.
  10. Local Government Financial Statistics. PCA 1.138/4:1996. Provides financial information on local governments including taxation, indebtedness, and expenditures. This item is located in the state area of the Government Documents section, Fairchild Martindale Library. Available only in print.
  11. Pennsylvania Abstract. 317.48/P415a/FM-1-Ref. A compendium of statistics concerning Pennsylvania. Includes population, economic, and social statistics.
  12. (Pennsylvania) Employment & Wages by County and Industry, 1997. PL67.20/8/6/:269. This item is located in the state area of the Government Documents section, Fairchild Martindale Library. Available only in print.
  13. PLF Pennsylvania Labor Force. PL 194.17/3: This item is located in the state area of the Government Documents section, Fairchild Martindale Library. Available only in print.
  14. Wages and Income. PL67.17/4/6/P415. Provides information on earnings, per capita, and CPI information. This item is located in the state area of the Government Documents section, Fairchild Martindale Library. Available only in print.

The Library has created a web page for government information including Federal, state, local and international materials. It is called Government Information at Lehigh University Library. Its URL is http://www.Lehigh.EDU/library/govdocs/. This is an excellent starting point for locating statistical and other relevant material for research on a topic.


Local resources for Information
There are a variety of resources that can information as you do the research for the client. These include (but not limited to):
  1. Alumni Directories and Associations.
  2. Bus Companies, e.g., Local Tour Companies.
  3. Chambers of Commerce, e.g., Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce .
  4. County and local governments: Lehigh County, Northampton County, City of Bethlehem (Its URL is http://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/ .) .
  5. Financial Resources . A resource to locate funding in the Lehigh Valley. Its URL is http://www.lehighvalleyfinancing.org.
  6. Lehigh Valley Business Network . This is a local web site providing professional, customized web presence for small businesses. Its URL is http://www.lvbiznet.com/.
  7. Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) is a private, non-profit corporation created in 1995 by the Lehigh Valley Partnership (LVP), a consortium of regional business owners and executives with county and municipal government leaders as ex officio members.
  8. Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (Formerly the Joint Planning Commission).
  9. LVIP, Inc. , (Lehigh Valley Industrial Park, Inc.).
  10. Local Arts Organizations.
  11. Local maps (detailed) of the Lehigh Valley and surrounding area. Google Maps and Mapquest are two examples.
  12. Local Newspapers. Morning Call and Express Times cover the local area. They generally have a two week archive available for free but after the two week window, you must pay for any article. The Morning Call is available thru America's Newspapers .
  13. Local public libraries: Allentown Public Library, Bethlehem Area Public Library (Its URL is http://www.bapl.org), Easton Area Public Library.
  14. Local statistics: Web and print. Its URL is http://www.lehighvalley.org/page.cfm?pag=296 for demographic and economic info. This is from the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation. Also the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission has local statistics.
  15. Pennsylvania's home page: http://www.state.pa.us/
  16. Private Industry Council:It is part of a a statewide group called PaPartners which assists in local workforce development. Its URL is http://www.papartners.org/ .
  17. Redevelopment (or Economic) Authorities of states, counties, cities, boroughs, etc.: Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) .
  18. RegionOnline. Lehigh Valley Web site URL is http://www.lehighvalleynow.com/ .
  19. Small business development centers of the state, counties and cities: Lehigh University's Small Business Development Center (URL is http://www.lehigh.edu/sbdc ).
  20. Team Pennsylvania CareerLink. URL is http://www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us/onestop/teampa.asp . This now includes the Private Industry Council. For more information, you can contact them at this phone number, (610) 437-5627.
  21. Tourism Bureaus: Bethlehem Tourism Authority (Its URL is http://www.bethlehem.info/ ). Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc. (Its URL is http://www.lehighvalleypa.org/ .)

Patent and Trademark Information
These resources can be useful in locating information, e.g., trademarks:
  1. United States Patent and Trademark Office.This provides information on patents, patent applications, and trademarks.
  2. Trademarks(USPTO). The trademark section provides information on trademarks and trademark applications.
  3. Finding and Obtaining PATENTS. This excellent guide provides information on the patents and trademarks.
The handout, entitled Patents, will provide information on patents. This includes the where's and how's to do patents. Its URL is http://www.lehigh.edu/library/guides/patent.html.
Created on 9/27/05 by W. Fincke, Business Librarian
Office: Rm. 343, Rauch Business Center.
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8:00-4:30.
Phone: 83052
Email: wjf0@lehigh.edu
URL is http://www.lehigh.edu/library/guides/guides.html.