University of Southern Maine

Bus 335 International Business (Vanderlinden)

Introduction | Reference Sources | Indexes & Databases | Internet Resources | Writing the Paper

For help with any topic in business please contact the library 's liaison to the University of Southern Maine School of Business, Zip Kellogg tel. 780-4272 or e-mail zkellogg@usm.maine.edu

In order to find books, journal titles, videos, government documents and other materials held in the University of Maine System you will need to consult URSUS, the online catalog. Because journal article citations are not individually included in URSUS you will need to use a discipline-specific index to find this information (see Resources by Subject).

If you do not know the exact subject heading describing the topic you need, try doing a keyword search using other word/s related to that topic and then click on the subject heading links found within the relevant records to find additional, useful resources.

The Library of Congress provides a breakdown of the call number classification scheme. To find a listing of business call numbers click on the any of the subcategories for more information.

The following is a listing of selected subject headings relating to business. Each subject heading is hotlinked directly to URSUS.

To obtain materials not located at your USM, but still within URSUS, you will need to click on the Request button on the URSUS screen and enter your name and barcode number (found under the barcode on your USM Card, which begins with 25022....). Your barcode will need to be activated at the Circulation Desk.

If the item is not available through the University of Maine System (URSUS) or MaineCat you can request it via Interlibrary Loan (Illiad).

Reference sources are useful tools to obtain background information and to develop a vocabulary of possible search terms. The following items are resources available within the University of Southern Maine system.

Encyclopedia of Global Industries
(Ref HD 2324 E53)
Five to ten page synopses of numerous industries ranging from medical to food to media to retail to transportation.

International Directory of Company Histories
( Ref HD 2721 D 36)
Hundreds of two to three page synopses of prominent company histories.

Principal International Businesses
(Ref HS 17 G335)
A directory of major businesses worldwide by country, alphabetically, and by SIC code. Contains basic info like company name, address, phone, number of employees, etc.

Here you'll find a list of many of the most frequently used business-oriented databases here at U.S.M. In order to access these resources from off-campus, you will need an active library card.

Keep in mind that no search of just one or two databases will give you comprehensive information on any topic. A comprehensive search involves checking a broad range of sources like databases, books, consulting with experts, checking with government agencies, etc. But by learning the strengths and weaknesses of the following sources for business information you'll be well on your way to developing excellent research skills. Happy hunting!

And remember, if you are having trouble locating information of any kind--reference librarians are always available to help you. Remember, too, that learning the software of any database takes a little time. Plan accordingly but keep in mind that reference librarians can give you a quick sense of how to use any of these systems.

There are still other databases available only in the library. So do not assume that since you've checked these you've done all you can do. For more information, please speak to a reference librarian. And take a look at Finding articles at USM.

Business Source Premiere
This is a good general purpose business index, covering such topics as finance, money and banking, mergers and acquisitions, new technologies, international trade, and more. For many students and faculty alike it is the first place to search for articles in business and trade journals. Many of the cited items are in full text (the entire article shows on your computer screen).

Business and Company Resource Center
The BCRC is actually a collection of databases organized specifically for the business community.  One can search for information about a specific company, about an entire industry, or for current articles about any business topic.  After the initial search, it's easy to follow links to varied business information, such as company histories, rankings within the industry, business and trade associations related to the search, etc.

Standard & Poor's NetAdvantage
This Database includes online access to many of the Standard and Poor's research products and publications, including Industry Surveys, Stock Reports, Mutual Fund Reports, Bond Reports, Corporation Records, and The Outlook

Regional Business News
A collection of news stories from several news wire services and current business and trade journals.  Up to the minute articles and briefs from around and nation and the world.

ProQuest Newspapers
For up to date newspaper articles on specific companies, industries, business trends, etc. Cover s the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, Times of London, Christian Science Monitor, etc.  This is a full-text database.

EconLit
A database of the economic literature produced by the American Economics Association. It covers hundreds of journals, books, disserta tions, working papers, etc. If you are taking classes in economics or are an economics major this database may be of great use to you.

Yahoo Business links a broad range of links to business info on the Net

Internet Business Resources
Links to a variety of business related internet guides.

Here are a few specific web sites you may want to check for business related information about a country:

(country summaries)

World Factbook (basic country statistics):

International Statistical Agencies (links to the source agencies in foreign countries which generate data):

Portals to the World (broad range of info about countries)

Foreign Consular Offices in the US

STAT-USA contains business, economic, social and other data produced by more than 50 federal agengies all gathered together under the “STAT-USA” umbrella. Includes the National Trade Data Bank and much much more.

Transparency International: the Global Coalition Against Corruption

Be sure to speak with your professor before compiling your paper's bibliography or footnotes for same. There are several different styles in current use (e.g. Chicago, Turabian, MLA, APA, etc.) and your professor may have a preference. Here are some useful links and books:

Chicago Manual of Style
POR Reference Z253 .U69 2003

Chicago/Turabian Documentation (University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center)

Online! A Reference Guide Using Internet Resources

Plagiarism

Plagiarism Examples (Indiana University School of Education)

Created by: Zip Kellogg
Created on: 16 March 2006
Last updated: 5 Feb. 2008