Industry Surveys
Get an overview of how an industry operates, the trends, and more. The most notable industry surveys are the S&P Industry Surveys through NetAdvantage.
Go to: the Industry Survey Locator - A database of industry surveys that appear in databases and other reference materials. A good first place to check for industry surveys and overviews.
Selected Industry Reports:
Digital Technology:
- Computer: Hardware – Standard & Poors Net Advantage, MarketLine (Formerly Datamonitor)
- Computer Manufacturing – IBISWorld Industry Reports
- Computers: Consumer Services and the Internet – Standard & Poors Industry Surveys
- PCs – Mintel, MarketLine (Formerly Datamonitor)
Health and Life Sciences:
- Biotechnology - Standard & Poors NetAdvantage, IBISWorld, MarketLine (FormerlyDatamonitor), Hoovers Industry Snapshots, Mergent
- Healthcare: Pharmaceuticals - Standard & Poors NetAdvantage
- Pharmaceuticals – MarketLine (Formerly Datamonitor), Hoovers Industry Snapshots, Mergent
Many Online Databases are included in the Locator:
- MarketLine (formerly Datamonitor) Industry Profiles This link opens in a new window
- Mintel Academic This link opens in a new window
- IBISWorld This link opens in a new windowIndustry snapshots include statistics and key facts as well as information on key issues facing the industry.
- Hoover's Industry Snapshots This link opens in a new window
The databases listed below are not available in the Industry Survey Locator, but will be very helpful for finding information on technology and healthcare industries:
- Frost & Sullivan This link opens in a new windowFrost & Sullivan reports cover technology and market trends in various technology, energy and manufacturing related fields. In-depth market research and strategy reports with international coverage. Includes the following industry sectors: healthcare; communication technologies; industrial automation and electronics; energy and power systems; aerospace and defense; environmental and building technologies. These reports can only be viewed in html format.
- Gartner Research This link opens in a new windowGartner, Inc. is a well-known information technology research and advisory company that provides insights to help clients make informed decisions related to information technology. Reports contain research findings and advice on technology markets, topics, and industries. Gartner Research is provided to the BU community through BU’s Information Services and Technology’s subscription. Log in to the website using your BU login name and Kerberos password.
For additional resources on healthcare, see the Healthcare Management guide.
For additional resources on technology, see the Information Technology guide.
For resources on sustainability, take a look at the Energy & Sustainability guide.
Industry Articles
In the databases below use the suggested search terms to search for articles about the healthcare, technology and sustainability industries. Suggested search terms: digital technology, computers, computer industry, health care, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals industry, sustainability, energy and environmental impact.
- ProQuest One Business This link opens in a new window
- Business Source Complete This link opens in a new window
- Factiva This link opens in a new window
- Nexis Uni This link opens in a new window
Data and Statistics
- Mintel Academic This link opens in a new window
Mintel reports provide information on markets for consumer products, travel, lifestyles, and leisure. Our subscription predominately covers products and markets in the United States. Each report combines data & analysis of the competitive landscape and consumer profiles.
Manufacturing & Distribution USA
Location: Pardee Reserve - Reference HD9723 .M365Three volume set contains rankings of leading public & private companies for manufacturing industries, wholesale and retail. Organized by NAICS code. The latest copy is at the Pardee Services Desk on the Reserve-Reference (High Use) shelves.
Industry Financial Ratios
- eStatement studies This link opens in a new windowContains composite financial data from over 250,000 anonymous financial statements of manufacturing, wholesaling, retailing, service, and contracting businesses operating in industries. Designed to be particularly useful to lending and credit risk professionals who want to compare one company's performance relative to other companies in the same line of business.
RMA Annual Statement Studies
Location: Pardee Reserve- Reference HC110.I6 F57Published annually by Risk Management Association. Financial and operating ratios for approximately 300 lines of business. Data is provided by RMA’s lending and credit institutions. The latest copy is at the Pardee Services Desk on the Reserve-Reference (High Use) shelves.
Almanac of Business and Industrial Financial RatiosLocation: Pardee Reserve- Reference HF5681.R25 T68Financial ratios for over 170 lines of business. Organized by NAICS code. Source of data is U.S. Federal tax returns. The latest copy is at the Pardee Services Desk on the Reserve-Reference (High Use) shelves.
Industry Norms and Key Business RatiosLocation: Pardee Reserve- Reference HD2771 .I53Published annually by Dun & Bradstreet. Financial ratios for over 600 lines of business. Organized by SIC code. Data is provided by D&B’s financial information sources. The latest copy is at the Pardee Services Desk on the Reserve-Reference (High Use) shelves.
IRS Corporate Financial RatiosLocation: Pardee Reserve- Reference HF5681.R25 I72The latest copy is at the Pardee Services Desk on the Reserve-Reference (High Use) shelves.Financial studies of the small business
Location: HD2346.U5 F55aThe latest copy is at the Pardee Services Desk on the Reserve-Reference (High Use) shelves.
SIC/NAICS Codes
- Mergent Online This link opens in a new windowSelect the Business link on the Company Details tab to find the SIC/NAICS code for the industry your company is in. The primary and secondary codes are given.
Searching for SIC/NAICS codes:
- Census DataAccess data about the nation's people and economy including demographic data and the Economic Census.
- U.S. Census NAICS-SIC Concordance TablesFind your NAICS code, and you will find the corresponding SIC code. Click on Concordances located under Reference Files.
- North American Industry Classification Search (NAICS)Search by keyword to find the NAICS code for the industry you are researching. Includes 2022, 2017 and 2012 NAICS codes.
- Standard Industrial Classification Manual (SIC) SearchSearch by keyword to find the SIC code for the industry you are researching.
Trade Associations
- Industry Survey LocatorIndustry Surveys often provide information from trade associations.
For additional industry resources, see Industry Information Sources.
