IB 190 - Introduction to International Business

General Sources

Country and Regional Information Sources section of the International Business Web page and on the Country Resources for Business library guide list many resources available on the web or in Milner Library.

Global Market Information Database (GMID)
Provides statistics and information.  For example, you can select a country and examine various economic or demographic information about that country, you can examine the consumption (value and/or volume) of various products in one or more countries or regions, and you can use Browse Reports to access a Consumer Lifestyle report for the country.  You can tailor the time series, unit of measurement, currency, and market unit (total, household, per capita, etc.) to suit your needs.  Data can be printed, saved, or loaded into Excel.

GlobalEDGE
A wide-ranging site maintained by the Michigan State University Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER). Includes country specific information, international trade, statistical sources, company information, and much more.  Start with the Country Insight report for your country.

Portals to the World
Part of the Library of Congress' Global Gateway site providing links to resources by country, from business, to media, to society.

Country Information

CIA World Factbook
An excellent starting point. Profiles of each country of the world. Covers geography, population, government, economy, climate, etc. This site also includes maps that can be downloaded in gif, tif or pdf formats.  Most statistics are ESTIMATES, so don't rely on this site for your economic data.  The Governemnt section covers membership in international organizations, such as the EU, WTO, etc.

Political Risk Yearbook
8 volumes cover the world.  Each has its own call number.  Find these listed in the Country Resources for Business library guide.  Use for population, currency, GDP, GDP per capita, GDP growth rate, political risk, political leaders, legal framework, and the political system.

GMID
     Exports/Imports:  To find both trade between your country and the US and total US exports and imports, select Exports by destination (entire category) and Exports by Destination - your country and Exports by Destination - USA.  Do the same for Imports (by origin).  Select both the US and your target country for the Geography choices. Load the resulting statistics into Excel and let Excel calculate the percentage of US trade represented by trade with your country.
     Foreign Direct Investment:  Select Economic Indicators/Foreign Direct Investment and both Inflows and Outflows.  For geography, select your target country.  The data will load in the local currency; you can convert it to US dollars if you prefer.

Cultural Analysis

Geert Hofstede Cultural Dimensions
Profiles cultural dimensions in each country.  You can compare your target country to the US.

Country Studies / Area Handbooks
Many are over ten years old; best used for geographic and cultural and social information. Milner Library also has printed copies of these books.

Refer to the Web sites and printed resources listed in the Country and Regional Information Sources section of the International Business Web page and on the Country Resources for Business library guide.

Search the catalog for books about your country.  Include the word SOCIAL or CULTURE in your search.  For Asian countries look for a Culture Smart book (search CULTURE SMART as a SERIES).

Also try the subject heading BUSINESS ETIQUETTE.  You will find books covering a country, a region, or many countries.  A few sample include:

Global Business Etiquette: A Guide to International Communication and Customs  (HF 5389 .M375 2006)

Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: The Bestselling Guide to Doing Business in More Than 60 Countries (HF 5389 .M67 2006)

Passport to Success: The Essential Guide to Business Culture and Customs in America's Largest Trading Partners (HF 5389 .M3753 2009)

The Saavy Business Traveler's Guide to Customs and Practices in Other Countries (HF 5389 .B58 2008)

Leading Companies

Company Profiles in Business Source Premier
Connect to Business Source Premier.  Near the top of the screen, find the green bar and select Company Profiles.  In the search box, type the beginning of the company name and click on Browse.  Select your company and click on the link to Datamonitor Report. The report will provide information about the company and may include a SWOT analysis.

GlobalEDGE 
In the Country Insight section, use the Commercial Guide (Doing Business) for your country and go to the list of companies for links to the Web sites of major companies.  Research the companies in the other resources listed here.

International Directory of Company Histories  (Reference HD 2721 .I58)
Started in 1988, the set now has over 95 volumes covering thousands of companies. Provides company history, list of principal subsidiaries, and a brief list of source articles. Each volume has a master index; consult the most recent volume to find all references to a company. 

Lexis-Nexis Academic provides company information in the BUSINESS component.  You can search by country and limit to all parent companies to get a list of companies covered.

Mergent International Manual  (Reference HG 4538 .M64)
Provides financial data on individual leading companies, worldwide, arranged by country.

Worldscope  provides primarily financial information about companies worldwide.

Current News

GlobalEDGE 
In the Country Insight section, links to current events coverage are in the frame on the right of the screen.

Follow current events in a newspaper or an online news source, such as CNN.

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