BUSINESS, COMPANY AND INDUSTRY INTERNET RESEARCH  

Follow the instructions below.  Paraphrase, do not copy article text.  Do not print webpages!
 

Example of Electronic Citing:

In general for any electronic citation, we must try to find and include: author's name, article title, website title or organization, publication, date of publication or website.  Then we list these items, generally in this order as we discover them.  Next, we must include the phrase: "Retrieved on January 12, 2001, from the World Wide Web:   URL . ."  If any of these items are not given, leave them out.  Also cut (truncate) the URL shortly after .com, .gov, or .edu.  Do not have three or four line URLs.

For example:

SIC Major Group 72: Personal Services, OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor.  Retrieved on January 12, 2001, from the World Wide Web:  http://www.osha.gov/cgi-bin/sic/sicser4?72

 

Topic & Company Research

Business Research – Do not copy paste (except where instructed,) do not print article.

  1. One of the most valuable library resources available to Cal Poly Business students is the Cal Poly Library Business Database Page.  The most useful of these databases for business research are (1) ABI Inform, (2) Business Full Text (Wilson Web), (3) Factiva, and (4) Lexis Nexis.  Other useful databases might include: Census, Rand California, try them.  You will want to read the instructions for each database, as they are all different.  "Learn" how to use a key word search to find the full text of an article.  Select "Factiva" or "Business Full Text".  Yes, you must have a "library pin number" to connect from home."  Using one of the databases listed above, say “ABI Inform” or “Business Full Text” type into the search box "credit default swaps" as a set of key words. Click the box “full text articles only.” Find an article which will assist you in briefly discussing some facet of credit default swaps. Paraphrase the article in one or two paragraphs and cite. It is important here to cite the article using either: APA citing electronics sources  Or  Purdue APA citing electronic sources. Place your citation immediately after your paraphrase
     
  2. Click on Google Scholar.  Type into the search line "organizational employment versus self employment reasons for career choice intentions."  Note the first article listed is a 1996 article by Kolvereid.  Also note that you find an entire page of related articles. Now go to Cal Poly Library account and log in.  Next go to the Library catalogue click on the "title" tab, type in the name of the Journal for the 1996 Kolvereid article.  Find the volume, issue number and date, then find the actual full text or pdf article.  Some full text articles are in html and some in pdf formats save either to your computer.  This is how you acquire almost any academic article "owned" by Cal Poly Library.  Scroll down to "References" what is the very first author's surname and article year?
     
  3. For individual company research Reuters Investor provides an excellent and comprehensive guide to all publicly traded companies.  Examine and "play with" this website.  Enter the name of a company, for purposes of this question research AIG, Inc.  Enter AIG for the "company name" or AIG.N for "symbol" then in the left vertical index click on "Overview."  What useful research information do you find for "overview?"  Next, click on "company profile (full description.)"  Paraphrase briefly what you find here?  Cite your work using either: APA citing electronics sources  Or  Purdue APA citing electronic sources.   

    Next click on "Financial Statements." You'll find "Income Statement," and notice that you have "quarterly" income statement.  Click the "annual" button and find the "income statement" for the year 2007. You now have substantial information about this company.  Properly interpret the figure listed for AIG’s "Net Income"     2007-12-31 Period Length 12 Months.)

  4. The most significant source of information on publicly traded corporations is the Securities and Exchange Commission - EDGAR Data Base. It is very important for finding corporate SEC filings.  Always seek the most current "Form 10-K". Click on "Search Edgar Archives."  Find the blank space and type in Yahoo or Yahoo Inc. Spot the most current 10-K (you may have to scan down the page even look through several pages.) Find the financial statements. (Confused? -- try the SEC Edgar Instructions/Tutorial.)  Copy the profit and loss statement (be careful - it's 10 points) and paste it on to your assignment. Cite immediately following the copy/paste.  This copy paste is acceptable as long as you cite the 10-K using the formats found at either: APA citing electronics sources  Or  Purdue APA citing electronic sources.  Also Useful 10-K Wizard

Industry Research

  1. Industry Analysis - Though more vague and difficult to find, the researcher is searching for external dynamics.  These might include -- industry: lifecycle, concentration levels, changes, trends, successes, failures, downturns, collapses, key industry players or biggest competitors.  Unless the company is on the list of largest global influencers, they are not likely to be able to individually change or impact these external or industry conditions.  In effect, these "externalities" are beyond control of the individual company. 

    In your own words, create a list of five industry conditions or variables (externalities.)  (No, not from the Internet, just be creative and list five)  Discuss why it would be important to research and utilize current information about these conditions when analyzing or researching a company. 

    One of the best set of links for industry analysis tutorial is provided by Rutgers University.  Cal Poly library "industry links" provides us with something similar.  Best information for our research in this class is IBISworld.  Links for MBAs:     MBA Central   For Fun:  Yahoo Cool Links
     
  2. Back to the Cal Poly Library Business Database Page.  Click on "Factiva."  For industry, click on "Hotels/Restaurants/Casinos," then find "Restaurants/Cafes/Fast Foods," click on "limited service eating places."  Click "run search" select one article which reflects trends, changes or statistics in this industry, (but not about a company) paraphrase it into two paragraphs (do not copy article) and cite  using the formats found at either: APA citing electronics sources  Or  Purdue APA citing electronic sources.
     
  3. Let's research some of the best career websites.  First, take a look at BusinessWeek Careers and BusinessWeek B-schools  MBA School Rankings.  Next try WetFeet Industries.  Click on "Internet & New Media" scroll down to find the heading "Trends" then find four subheadings.  Select one of the four subheadings and summarize it in your own words.  You must cite this website using the formats found at either: APA citing electronics sources  Or  Purdue APA citing electronic sources.

    Next, click on Vault.com Industries.  You might find very valuable general or career information about these listed industries.
     
  4. Now a visit to US Dept of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics 2008-09 Career Guide to Industries.  In the left hand vertical index select "Leisure and Hospitality," then select "Food Services and Drinking Places."  (Fill in the blank.)  The food services and drinking places industry, with about _______ wage and salary jobs in ____, ranks among the Nation’s leading employers. How might this career information website about careers by industry, assist you in analyzing an industry?
       
  5. Click on U.S Census Bureau 1997 NAISC With Corresponding SIC Numbers. In the yellow box on the right hand side of the screen, click on "Finance, Insurance and Real Estate," then "Security, commodity brokers, and services." What is the four digit SIC number for "Security Brokers, Dealers, and Flotation Companies (security dealers and underwriters)?"  Now, just for fun, what is the corresponding five digit NAISC number? Perhaps the category title has to be changed a little – try “Investment Banking and Securities Dealing.” Let's use the Cal Poly Library IBIS World. Log in to Cal Poly Library resources at home. Then Click on IBISworld    Click on Industry Market Research and type the NAISC number for " Investment Banking and Securities Dealing" into the box. Click on "Investment Banking and Securities Dealing" in the report menu.  Name two major players in this industry.  How is this database helpful to you?   
     
  6. Click on the US Census Bureau Website.  Enter "California" for state and 91768 for zip code.  After clicking "go" find industry code 61 "educational services" and click the "detail" button.  How many "Colleges, universities & professional schools" are there in the Cal Poly Pomona zip code?  What do you figure is the largest one?  Make a guess as to what the name of another institution in this zip code might be.

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Last Updated: October 1, 2007