35 Industry Information - Information by Field part 1 (Information Research)
Description
This article is from the Information Research FAQ, by David Novak david@spireproject.com with numerous contributions by others.
35 Industry Information - Information by Field part 1 (Information Research)
links and more at http://spireproject.com/industry.htm
Industry research will encompass many of the research tools and vectors
described more fully in our other articles. Your research into the
information industry (as an example) will certainly include a book
search, an article search, perhaps some patent research, statistics and
discussion groups.
What we have in this article are the resources specifically for
industry level research - and leads to further promising directions
like patent research, statistics and discussion groups.
With few exceptions, you will need to search for specific facets of an
industry when you continue your research beyond this article. You will
get no-where trying to search for "information industry" - but will
find very factual information about the proposed changes to
intellectual property of database contents (an issue critical to the
information industry).
Internet
The web is a fine example of this: with the exception of Industry
Canada & the US Census Bureau, I can think of no other sites devoted to
'industry'; few organizations package information this way.
There are numerous gems to be unearthed free from the internet.
Industry news flows through news sources like AnchorDesk & Clarinet.
Discussion groups may inform and dissect developments in industries
with great resource and collective skill. Associations may occasionally
feel it is in their interest to publish industry briefs & white papers
describing their position. Without exception, you will have better
success searching for specific facets of an industry which interest
you.
Online Industry Information
Market Access Database (mkaccdb.eu.int), a project by the Commission of
the European Union, presents some sharp analysis about market access
for a collection of 30+ countries. Extends from overviews of barriers,
to specific barriers in specific industries. Query the database by
country.
The US Census Bureau publishes Current Industrial Reports. Just a few
are online, and this is just one resource here, so it is better to
search their website or review their catalogue.
Industry Canada, working with Statistics Canada, publishes a fine site
devoted to Canadian industry statistics. These organizations are also
responsible for Trade Data Online
(strategis.ic.gc.ca/sc_mrkti/tdst/engdoc/tr_homep.html), a free
database presenting US & Canadian Trade broken down to industry (SEC &
NAICS).
Government Publication Databases
One of the first tasks to undertake is a search of the government
publication databases. Governments spend an inordinate portion of their
time monitoring industries - and write exhaustively. This will be one
of your most promising sources of Industry data and description.
Publications undertaken at a national level should appear in their
respective government publication databases: AGIP, MOCAT & the
publication catalogue of the UK Stationery Office.
National Statistical Agency Data
A second invaluable resource will be the national statistical agencies:
the US Census Dept, Statistics Canada, the Australian Bureau of
Statistics (ABS), the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS). Some of
their data is published on the web and each have their publications
catalogue online. Links and forms are prepared for you in our article:
National Statistical Bureau.
Further Statistical Resources:
Association Statistics are usually tightly focussed on the industry
itself. A case in point, the Australian Booksellers Association
prepares an annual analysis of business benchmarks, and industry size,
growth and development. Such publications are usually inexpensive and
timely. Start by locating an association particular to the industry.
Benchmark Studies, undertaken by accountancy firms and associations
focus on the financial ratios involved in business. The FMRC Business
Benchmarks and the United States Trade and Industry Outlook
(www.ntis.gov/yellowbk/1nty752.htm) are examples. Both present
descriptions of business operating costs, risk and margins compiled by
comparing financial data from various companies within an industry. The
results are anonymous, but factual and again, relatively timely.
The Statistical Abstract of the US (www.census.gov/stat_abstract), free
online from the US Census Bureau, gives you another avenue for finding
industry related statistics. There are several statistical resource
directories in most libraries, like Statistical Sources (by Gale
Research).
Further Government Industry Studies
Governments do not always publish their work widely. Non-statistical
agencies create vast quantities of government studies on all manner of
industry, but this work is primarily undertaken as part of their
industry supervisory role. Of course, this information is available to
you if you can find it. If the information has arrived on the web, you
may find it with a web search limited to government webpages.
If your industry analysis is local, approach the appropriate state
government organizations. Here in Western Australia, for example, the
state tourism agency maintains a list of all planned large tourism
projects. This is a fine example of the potential value to be found
here. Of course, this list is not widely published - or known - but one
should not underestimate the industry information prepared by
government agencies.
Further avenues could include researching changes to industry
regulation, perhaps with congressional discussion or legal commentary.
Such research may be internet based for the US (I am thinking of the
Library of Congress Thomas Database). Consider reading sections of The
Virtual Chase (http://www.virtualchase.com/coinfo/index.htm).
Commercial
Industry research has also grown into a very active industry in its own
right. There are many organizations who have built considerable
expertise in analyzing and preparing research reports both as a retail
and consultancy service.
Market Research & Industry Research Reports
Many of the larger market research firms also prepare market/industry
reports for sale. These reports are only as good as their age, depth
and reputation, and may be prohibitively expensive. They are, however,
also very accessible ways to read an encapsulated concern of an
industries changes and movement - and may save you from undertaking
some of the work yourself.
* Find/SVP (www.findsvp.com) is a good example.
* Here in Australia, IBIS and Syntec Economic Services both specialize
in preparing industry research reports - often for government. Again,
some of this work becomes available to purchase.
For a fine list of such market research retailers, consider reading
Sheila Webber's 1998 list: Commercial market research companies
(http://www.dis.strath.ac.uk/business/marketres.html)
Your national embassies and trade organizations also provide
international industry and marketing reports. This is undertaken as
paid consultancy work.
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