Statistics and Basic Facts | Country Analysis and Ratings | International Trade |
Global Company and Industry Analysis | Journal and Magazine Articles | Business News |
Statistics and Basic Facts
BBC NEWS - Country Profiles
Free online resource
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/country_profiles/default.stm
— Short guides to the history, politics, and economic background of countries. Audio and video clips from the BBC archives are also included.
World Factbook
Free online resource
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/
— The CIA provides short profiles of every nation in the world. Profiles include economic, social, political, and demographic information.
IMF - Country Information
Free online resource
http://www.imf.org/external/country/index.htm
— Reports and statistics about a country's economic conditions written by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
International Financial Statistics
University of Iowa access only
http://proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/login?url=http://ifs.apdi.net/imf/ifsbrowser.aspx?
— This database from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) contains approximately 32,000 time series covering more than 200 countries and areas. Data for many countries dates back to 1948. Recent Print versions (2003 and 2004) can be found in the unbound periodicals' section of the Business Library. Annual yearbooks from previous years are located in the Government Publications collection, Main Library (HG 3881.I626).
International Statistical Sources
Free online resource
http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/govpubs/intl/intl_stats.html
— Select listing of international statistical resources available in print and online via the University of Iowa's Government Publications Department. Some of the sources listed are only accessible to those affiliated with the University of Iowa.
SourceOECD
University of Iowa access only
http://purl.lib.uiowa.edu/sourceoecd
— An online library that provides access to many of the books, periodicals, working papers, statistical databases, and reference materials published by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) concerning member countries. The wide range of topics includes: international trade, globalization, economic development, emerging economies, and financial market trends.
World Bank E-Library 
University of Iowa access only
http://purl.lib.uiowa.edu/wb
— Welcome to the World Bank e-Library, an online, fully cross-searchable portal of over 3,000 World Bank documents. Includes each new book and paper as it is published.
WDI Online
University of Iowa access only
http://purl.lib.uiowa.edu/gov/wdi
— This World Bank database contains statistical data for over 550 development indicators, including social, economic, financial, natural-resource, and environmental indicators. Coverage of over 200 countries and 18 country groups from 1960 forward is included.
International Data Base (IDB)
Free online resource
http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idbnew.html
— The U.S. Census Bureau provides this online source of demographic and socio-economic statistics for 227 countries and areas of the world. The IDB combines data from country sources (especially censuses and surveys) with estimates and projections. This compilation provides information dating as far back as 1950 — and as far ahead as 2050.
International Statistical Agencies
Free online resource
http://www.census.gov/main/www/stat_int.html
— The U.S. Census Bureau publishes an alphabetical listing of statistical-gathering agencies in foreign countries. Includes a link to the website of each agency.
Country Analysis and Ratings
CountryWatch
University of Iowa access only
http://purl.lib.uiowa.edu/countrywat
— Current news stories as well as substantial geopolitical and economic overviews on 192 countries.
EIU (Economist Intelligence Unit) ViewsWire
University of Iowa access only
— ABI/INFORM Global (http://purl.lib.uiowa.edu/proquest/abi) provides access to the reports. Click on the Publications tab, and then search using "EIU". There are several titles from which to choose; these provide analysis of the business, economic, financial, political, and regulatory environments of countries. Readers can also view EIU RiskWire.
Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index
Free online resource
http://www.atkearney.com/main.taf?p=5,3,1,138
— Annual survey of top executives of the world's largest companies regarding the preferred locations for foreign direct investment. The survey is conducted by A.T. Kearney, a global management consulting firm. The report is available for free and can be downloaded in PDF format.
Global Corruption Report
Free online resource
http://www.globalcorruptionreport.org/
— "Includes detailed assessments of the state of corruption in 34 country reports, accompanied by analyses of recent global and regional developments ... also includes the findings of the latest research into corruption and ways to combat it." Published by Transparency International, a non-governmental organization dedicated to combating political corruption worldwide.
Globalization Index
Free online resource
http://www.atkearney.com/main.taf?p=5,4,1,116
— Includes the rankings of 64 countries under 4 main topics: economic integration, personal contact, technology connectivity, and political engagement. Published by A.T. Kearney, this report is free and can be downloaded in PDF format.
Index of Economic Freedom
Free online resource
http://www.heritage.org/index/Default.aspx
— The Heritage Foundation's ranking of countries' economic freedom based on variables in ten categories. Analysis is provided for each country as are scores from previous years.
Political Risk Yearbook
Unversity of Iowa access only
http://purl.lib.uiowa.edu/prs/yearbook
— Political and economic risk assessment of 106 countries as calculated by The PRS Group.
International Trade
Direction of Trade Statistics Yearbook
Book: Government Publications, Main Library, HG 3881 .D62
— Annual volume published by the International Monetary Fund that provides seven years of data on the dollar value of imports/exports for more than 150 countries, as well as the distribution by their major trade partners. Also includes area and world aggregates showing trade flows among major areas of the world.
FITA.org Global Trade Portal
Free online resource
http://fita.org/
— The mission of the Federation of International Trade Associations is to foster international trade by strengthening the role of local, regional, and national associations — throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada — that have an international mission. FITA's website serves as a source for B2B leads, news, events, and links to 7,000 international trade-related websites.
Interactive Tariff and Trade DataWeb
Free online resource
http://dataweb.usitc.gov/
— Provides international trade statistics and U.S. tariff data from 1989 to the present. Create customized reports from user-defined queries, or view prepared reports. From the U.S. International Trade Commission; also incorporates data from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Treasury.
NAFTA Resources
Free online resource
http://www1.lanic.utexas.edu/la/mexico/nafta/index.html
— List of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) resources assembled by the Latin American Network Information Center (LANIC) at the University of Texas, Austin.
GLOBUS & NTDB (National Trade Data Bank)
University of Iowa access only
http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS1777
— Part of the Stat-USA website; provides international market research, trade opportunities, country analysis, and a trade library.
TradeStats Express
Free online resource
http://tse.export.gov/itahome.aspx?UniqueURL=restartedMe
— Compiled by the U.S. Office of Trade and Economic Analysis, this database allows users to create and view color-coded graphical representations of import/export and trade balance data.
World Chambers Network (WCN)
Free online resource
http://www.worldchambers.com/
— Online network of worldwide chambers of commerce and industry. Provides a searchable database of international chambers of commerce with links to each organization's website.
Documents Online (WTO)
Free online resource
http://www.law.nyu.edu/library/wtoguide.html
— Over 100,000 searchable and browsable documents of the World Trade Organization, including the legal texts of the WTO agreements dating back to 1995, updated daily.
Global Company and Industry Analysis
Company and Industry Analysis
Business Source Premier: Datamonitor
University of Iowa access only
http://purl.lib.uiowa.edu/ebsco/bizpremier
— Business Source Premier offers access to Datamonitor (select "Company Profiles" link in the center section of the page). Contains profiles and analysis on global companies. Provides key facts, history, products/services, competitors and location of subsidiaries.
Investext Plus
University of Iowa access only
http://purl.lib.uiowa.edu/investext
— Investment, company, and industry reports from over 500 brokers in North America, Europe, Asia/Pacific, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. All company and industry reports are provided in full-page .pdf format.
NetAdvantage (Standard & Poor's)
Pappajohn Business Building access only
http://purl.lib.uiowa.edu/sandp/netadvant
— Under Quick Links, Industry Survey, select from major industries such as advertising, electric utitlities, etc. Each survey includes a discussion of the current environment, an overall profile of the industry, as well as a glossary of terms and a list of references to additional resources. Many charts and tables are included.
Zacks Investment Research
Free online resource
http://www.zacks.com/
Access company profiles, balance sheets, income statements, consensus estimates, company news, and quotes at this website.
Market Research
MarketResearch.com Academic
University of Iowa access only
http://proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/login?url=http://academic.marketresearch.com
— Visitors to this site find access to extensive, detailed, market-research reports ranging from 200 to 400 pages in length. The reports contain charts, tables, graphs, and key facts about the topic areas. Coverage includes business-related subjects such as consumer products, demographics, food, beverages, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, etc.
Mintel Reports
University of Iowa access only
http://proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/login?url=http://academic.mintel.com
Mintel presents over 600 published market research reports on European, U.K.- specific, and U.S. consumer markets.
Industry and Trade Associations
Associations on the Net
Free online resource
http://www.ipl.org/div/aon
— This is a guide to the websites of prominent organizations and associations assembled by the Internet Public Library (University of Michigan).
American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) - Gateway to Associations
Free online resource
http://www.asaecenter.org/Directories/AssociationSearch.cfm
— Searchable database with links to the current websites of each association listed.
Journal and Magazine Articles
ABI/INFORM Global
University of Iowa access only
http://purl.lib.uiowa.edu/proquest/abi
— Search 1000 premier, worldwide business periodicals for information on advertising, marketing, economics, human resources, finance, taxation, computers, and more. Also, information is available on 60,000+ companies.
Business Source Premier
University of Iowa access only
http://purl.lib.uiowa.edu/ebsco/bizpremier
— Includes full-text articles from over 3,000 journals in the fields of business, management, economics, finance, banking, and accounting — including the full-text of the Harvard Business Review (from 1922 through the present) and The Economist (from 7/7/1990 through the present).
Business News
Factiva
University of Iowa access only
http://purl.lib.uiowa.edu/factiva
— Contains business news from nearly 8,000 sources from 118 countries in 22 languages. Same-day, full-text articles and indexing of The Wall Street Journal (1984 - present), The New York Times, Washington Post, The Globe and Mail, Financial Times (1995-present with one day delay) , Handelsblatt, Les Echos, South China Morning Post, Australian Financial Review, Sydney Morning Herald, Straits Times, Yomiuri Shimbun, and local newspapers from around the globe. Newswires include Dow Jones, Reuters, The Associated Press, Asia Pulse, and more than 120 other industry, press release, and local newswires. More than 800 sources are available on or before the date of publication.
Lexis Nexis: Academic Search
University of Iowa access only
http://purl.lib.uiowa.edu/lexis/universe
— A full-text database covering over 5,000 publications.
News Sources
Free online resource
— Business Librarians at Rutgers University Libraries have prepared this extensive list of sources for business news. Specific attention should be paid to the section devoted to international business information. Note: While most of the sources listed are freely available on the internet, there are several that require a paid subscription.
World News Connection
University of Iowa access only
http://proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/login?url=http://wnc.dialog.com
Used for monitoring non-U.S. media sources. The material in WNC is provided to the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) by the Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS). Analysts from FBIS domestic and overseas bureaus monitor timely and pertinent open-source materials.
Additional Research Resources
EconPapers
http://econpapers.hhs.se/
— This site uses the RePEc bibliographic and author database to provide free access to the world's largest collection of economic working papers and journal articles.
Stock and Commodity Exchanges
http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/rul/rr_gateway/research_guides/busi/stocks.shtml
— An extensive listing of stock and commodity exchanges around the globe. Includes links to the exchanges, as well as to govermental and regulatory agencies — and regional federations of exchanges. Links to other related business websites are also provided. Prepared by Business Librarians at Rutgers University.
Doing Business
http://rru.worldbank.org/DoingBusiness/
— This database from the Work Bank provides objective measures of business regulations and their enforcement across 145 economies. The measures indicate the regulatory costs of business and can be used to analyze specific regulations that enhance or constrain investment, productivity, and growth.
Last update: September, 2006.
Send mail concerning this publication to: bus-lib@uiowa.edu.