Geneseo Milne Library Research Guide International Marketing

Economic activity is increasingly taking place within a global context. In order to successfully participate in the world economy businesses need a comprehensive overview of the markets in which they wish to participate. Social, cultural, demographic, economic, and political factors all play a role in developing an international marketing plan. Two related guides which may be of use are: Statistics - Business and Economics and Statistics - Demographic and Social.

If after using this guide you still can not locate the information you want, try contacting the Business Librarian (Rich Dreifuss) for assistance.

Books     Web Sites     Reference Books     Locator Sites     Articles / Databases     Links to other Guides

• Doing Business in ….
  Ernst & Young International Business Series
  HG 4538 D64 F73 1001
  Quick overviews of investment climate, taxation, accounting practices, etc. Individual volumes for many countries.
  
  
• Doing Business in .....
  "...booklets have been prepared for the use of clients, partners and staff of HLB International member firms."
  
  
• OECD Economic Surveys
  Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development
  An Economic Survey is published every two years for each OECD member country as well as other major countries. Find library copy by searching GLOCAT for OECD and country name. Also available online (including China, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey and Norway).
  
  
     

• Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hand: How to do business in Sixty Countries
  Terri Morrison, et. Al.
  Ref HF 5389 M67 1994
  
  
• Dun & Bradstreet’s Guide to Doing Business Around the World
  Terri Morrison et. Al.
  Ref HF 1416 M78 1997
  
  
• Encyclopedia of National Economies
  Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast eds.
  Ref HC 15 .W675 2002 4 vols
  Provides comprehensive overviews of the economic structure and current climate of 198 countries and territories.
  
  
• Encyclopedia of the Developing World
  Thomas M. Leonard ed.
  Ref HC 59.7 .E52 2006
  Entries of individual countries as well as topics pertinent to all developing economies.
  
  
• The Europa World Year Book 2008
  Ref JN 1 E85 2008
  This is an excellent source for beginning research on a country. Text provides information on the political, economic, and commercial conditions of countries of the world.
  
  
• International Business Information: How to Find It, How to Use It
  Ruth Pagell and Michael Halperin
  Ref HF 54.5 P33 1994
  Describes key international business publications and databases.
  
  
• Internet resources and services for international finance and investment
  Qun G. Jiao
  ref HG64 .J5 2001
  Over 3,000 Web sites covering 216 countries. Includes information on finance and investment, trade associations, emerging markets, and market indicies.
  
  
• When in Rome or Rio or Riyadh...
  Cultural Q&As for Successful Business Behavior Around the World
  Gwyneth Olofsson
  G 156.5 .B86 .O46 2004
  

These sources are primarily governmental sites that provide background or marketing information for foreign countries.

• African Business Guide
  Produced by the Library of Congress, this site contains a collection of major African business and economic information resources available via the Internet.
  
  
• The American Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AmChams)
  "AmChams advance the interests of American business overseas. AmChams pursue trade policy initiatives, make available publications and services, and sponsor a variety of business development programs." See alphabetical listing of countries to link to the AmCham for your country of interest.
  
  
• Country Background Notes
  Produced by the U.S. Department of State, Background Notes are publications that contain information on all the countries of the world with which the United States has diplomatic relations.  Coverage includes facts on the country's land, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, and its relations with other countries and the United States. 
  
  
• Country Commercial Guides (Doing Business in ......)
  These are length detailed reports prepared annually by U.S. embassies and present a comprehensive look at a country's commercial environments using economic, political and market analysis.
  
  
• Country Insights
  From the Centre for Intercultural Learning (Canadian) - country by country analysis of cultural norms.
  
  
• Economist
  Excellent news magazine reporting on economies of the worlds countries.
  See the Country Briefings as well as the Country Surveys .
  
  
• EXPORT.GOV ( U.S. export portal)
  Offers world-class market research , trade events, introductions, and counseling. You must register to use this resource but registration is free for students and researchers. Look under Market Research to find country specific research reports.
  
  
• NationMaster.com
  "...a handy way to graphically compare nations. NationMaster is a vast compilation of data from such sources as the CIA World Factbook, United Nations, World Health Organization, World Bank, World Resources Institute, UNESCO, UNICEF and OECD." Look under the tab Countries A-Z.
  
  
• Population Reference Bureau
  Provides timely and objective information on U.S. and international population trends and their implications. Under Data Finder tab you can search a database containing data on 95 demographic variables for more than 220 countries, 28 world regions and sub-regions, the world as a whole, the United States as a whole, and the U.S. states.
  
  
• Portals to the World
  Links providing authoritative, in-depth information about the nations and other areas of the world maintained by the subject specialists at the Library of Congress. Links include: Business, Commerce and Economy, Government Politics and Law, Media and Communication as well as others. Also from the Library of Congress see their series on Country Profiles.
  
  
• TradeStats Express
  Data from the U. S. Department of Commerce indicating trade between the U. S. and foreign countries in broad industry groupings.
  
  
• 2008 World Fact Book
  Basic overview and economic data by country provided by the CIA.
  
  
• Your Europe
  Provides practical information on rights and opportunities in running a business in the EU and its Internal Market.
  

Databases

Use these databases to search for articles in popular magazines, scholarly journals, and worldwide newspapers.

• ABI/INFORM Global
  Articles from 1,600 leading business and management titles on all aspects of business.
  
  
• Business Source Premier
  An index to the general business literature similar to ABI but with some unique content. Option to limit search results to "Country Reports" or "Market Research Reports".
  
  
• LexisNexis® Academic
  Includes full text access to nearly 6,000 titles in news, business, and legal information including a great deal of international news and resources.
  
  
• Sage Journals
  Index to Sage titles as well as access to Sage full text articles.
  
  
• Science Direct(Elsevier)
  Includes several journals dealing with international business.
  
  

  

Locator Sites for International Marketing

Use these sites to identify and locate additional Internet sites containing international business information.

• globalEDGE
  From Michigan State University a web-portal with worldwide links to a wealth of information, insights, and learning resources on global business activities. Good source for country specific information including economic, political and social data.
  
  

 

Links to Other Library Guides on International Marketing

• Foreign Information by Country (University of Colorado at Boulder)
  Links to a variety of Internet sites containing country-specific information including topcs such as diplomatic relations, health, and peacekeeping/military.
  
  
• Resources for International Business ( Rutgers University )
  See Section B of this guide for listing of and links to regional trade blocs. Section C has links to several sites for Doing Business in.....
  
  

---

For additional assistance or information regarding this topic please contact
Rich Dreifuss in Milne Library at 245-5175 or email at dreifuss@geneseo.edu
For in depth assistance schedule a Student Research Consultation.

Please send us your comments or suggestions

The URL for this Guide is: http://library.geneseo.edu/~dreifuss/Guides/International_Marketing.htm
Last updated 10/08/08