COD Library - Research Guides

A Guide to International Business and Trade Resources

The following materials are useful for researching a wide variety of topics related to international business, the global marketplace, and foreign trade. Whether you are looking to do business in the international marketplace, planning a business or pleasure trip abroad, or doing research on an international topic, you will find many of these resources to be helpful. All materials described below are available at the College of DuPage Library.

General Overview

These titles will provide general background material for the person who is interested in international markets - definitions, sources of information and general overviews.

Dictionary of International Trade - HF 1373 .H55 (Ref)
This dictionary is a useful reference resource and includes definitions of trade, shipping, banking, legal and economic terms in a single volume.
Directories In Print - AY 2001 .D5 (Ref)
Looking for a directory, guide, or list on a specific topic or industry? This source lists such directories published in the U.S. and worldwide.
International Business Information: How To Find It, How To Use It - HF 54.5 .P33 (Ref)
A practical guide for the business researcher. Describes key international business publications and databases.
International Encyclopedia of Business and Management Series - HD 30.15 .R4 (Ref)
Major reference work on management topics with an international dimension.
Internet Resources and Services for International Business - HF 54.56 .L58 (Ref)
Internet resources organized by countries and regions of the world.
Short Course in . . . International Trade Series - Short Course in International Economics, Contracts, Entrepreneurial Trade, Business Culture, Marketing, Negotiating, Payments (Call #'s vary/Gen)
These practical books serve as stand-alone training modules that teach the key skills of international trade.

Organizations

International associations and chambers of commerce are very useful sources of information when doing business outside of the U.S.

Encyclopedia of Associations. International Organizations - AS8 .E53 (Ref)
A guide to more than 20,000 international organizations based outside the U.S.
World Chamber of Commerce Directory - HF 294 .W75
Chambers of commerce are excellent sources of country as well as export/import information.

Export/Import Trade Assistance

These titles are very practical guides for export procedures, regulations and documentation.

Basic Guide to Exporting - HF 1416.5 .B3x (Gen)
This well-respected introductory guide to exporting put out by the U.S. Department of Commerce is designed to help U.S. firms learn the basics of exporting and develop a strategy for conducting business worldwide.
Export/Import Procedures and Documentation - HF 1416.5 .J64 (Ref/Gen)
Covers basic procedures for export/import with sample documents and ready-to-use forms.
Export Sales and Marketing Manual - HF 3035 .C6 (Ref/Gen)
This comprehensive and practical manual covers all aspects of the export process, with flow charts and sample forms to guide the reader. Also includes blank copies of export documents and forms for use in preparing proposals and reports. An annual publication with quarterly updates.
Exporters' Encyclopedia - HF 3011 .E9 (Ref)
This Dun and Bradstreet annual publication is an excellent guide to exporting with comprehensive information on countries throughout the world. Includes standard export data such as trade regulations, market data, documentation, transportation, business travel, communications and country contacts.
Importers Manual USA - HF 3035 .I45 (Ref)
This manual is a useful reference guide for importing to the U.S.
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States - KF 6654.599 .U55 (Ref)
http://www.usitc.gov/tata/index.htm
For use in the classification of imported merchandise to the United States.
Schedule B, Statistical Classification of Domestic and Foreign Commodities Exported From the United States -
HF 105 .A666 (Ref)
http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/schedules/b/index.html
For use in the classification of items exported from the United States.

Country Information

A country analysis is a crucial aspect of international business research. Many factors need to be considered including economic, political, and legal systems; the physical infrastructure; health and educational institutions; cultural aspects.

Area Handbook Series (Call #'s vary/Gen)-
In-depth, book-length country studies done by the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress. Updated at infrequent intervals.
Columbus World Travel Guide - G 153.4 .W67 (Ref)
This annual publication contains brief overviews of essential travel information for countries throughout the world.
Countries of the World and Their Leaders Yearbook - G1 .C88 (Ref/Gen)
Annual brief country profiles based on compilation of U.S. Department of State, Central Intelligence Agency and other official reports.
Encyclopedia of World Geography - G133 .E48 (Ref/Gen)
Covers regions and countries within those regions with a focus on the environment, society and economy. Contains magnificent photos for presentations.
Europa World Year Book - JN1 .E85 (Ref/Gen)
An annual publication with useful information on countries throughout the world - the Constitution, government, political organizations, judicial system, religion and the press. Also includes directories of government, trade and transportation associations, banks, broadcasting agencies, periodicals and publishers for each country.
IEBM Regional Encyclopedia of Business and Management - HD30.15 .R4 (Ref)
This four-volume set looks at the business and management practices in specific regional areas - the Americas, Asia Pacific, Emerging Countries and Europe.
Political Handbook of the World - JF 37 .P6 (Ref/Gen)
An overview of the political history and current developments for political parties, legislative activities and cabinet members in countries worldwide.
Regional Surveys of the World - Call #'s vary (Ref/Gen)
Comprehensive analyses of the history, economics, politics, institutions and people for regions and countries of the world. Profiles of prominent persons in the region are also included. Separate annual volumes focus on different regions of the world.
Statesman's Year Book - JA 51 .S7 (Ref/Gen)
An annual publication with brief profiles of political, economic and social facts for countries throughout the world.
World Factbook - G 122 .U56a (Ref)
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
Useful for brief, current facts about a country. An annual publication prepared by the CIA.
World Today Series - Call #'s vary (Ref/Gen)
These annual publications are useful for historical as well as current developments for regions and countries of the world. The volumes are region-based.

Industry Information

Researching global industries, their structure and potential market is essential when designing an export plan.

Encyclopedia of Associations. International Organizations - AS8 .E53 (Ref)
A guide to more than 20,000 international organizations based outside the U.S. These organizations can be extremely helpful for researching industries.
Market Share Reporter - HF 5415.2 .M3 (Ref)
Global and U.S. market share data (company, brand name, product/service) from periodical literature.
WEFA Industrial Monitor - HC 101 .W434 (Ref/Gen)
This industry monitor is useful for a quick overview of U.S. industries. Contains useful forecast and trend information with emphasis on worldwide export markets.
Standard Industrial Classification Manual - HF 1042 .A55 (Ref)
http://www.osha.gov/oshstats/sicser.html
The Standard Industrial Classification has been the standard for all U.S. products and services. The system is currently being phased out and replaced by the NAICS System (see below).
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) HF 1042 .N67 (Ref)
http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/naics.html
Developed by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, NAICS replaces the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes. This is the official manual that lists these new codes. Includes a table showing correspondence between the new NAICS and the SIC codes. See the Web site for an explanation of the NAICS system and for SIC and NAIC conversion tables.

Human Resources

Knowledge of employment laws, personnel matters and other organizational issues are essential when doing business outside of the U.S.

International Human Resources Guide HF 5549.5 .E45 I575 (Ref)
An essential tool for dealing with the practical issues of international human resources. Contains forms and model policies that are updated semi-annually.

Culture and Customs / Doing Business / Marketing Guides

Successful communication and trade depends on knowledge of the attitudes, customs, etiquette, culture, practices, and standards in the countries in which business is conducted.

Business Publication Advertising Source - HF 5905 .B8 (Ref)
Covers U.S. and international publications. Useful source for publication advertising rates, editorial profiles and circulation analyses.
Country Commercial Guides - See STAT USA/NTDB (National Trade Data Bank) under Library Databases.
These country guides from the U.S. Department of Commerce thoroughly cover all aspects of doing business in a country including marketing, political environment, trade regulations, and leading sectors for U.S. exports.
Culture Shock Series - Call #'s vary (Gen)
A guide to understanding the country and its people including information on transportation, religion, food, health and insurance, language, education, recreation, customs and culture.
Cultures of the World Series - Call #'s vary (Gen)
Cultural overviews - history, government, lifestyle, religion, language, arts, leisure, festivals, and cuisine - of the countries of the world.
Culturgrams: The Nations Around Us - GT 150 .C85 (Ref/Gen)
A compilation of cultural characteristics with four-page summaries for more than 165 countries. Updated annually.
Do's and Taboos Series - Call #'s vary (Gen)
Roger A. Axtell has written a series of books that highlight business practices and customs around the world.
Doing Business In . . Series (Call #'s vary/Gen)
These Price Waterhouse guides contain information on laws, taxes, economic conditions and business regulations in selected countries with an emphasis on accounting and financial standards. Updated on an irregular basis.
Dun & Bradstreet's Guide to Doing Business Around The World - HF 1416 .M78 (Ref)
A concise overview of the cultural aspects of doing business in forty different countries.
European Marketing Data and Statistics - HA 1107 .E87 (Ref)
See description under Statistical Information.
International Marketing Data and Statistics - HA 42 .I56 (Ref)
See description under Statistical Information.
Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: How To Do Business in Sixty Countries - HF 5389 .M67 (Ref/Gen)
This guide contains brief descriptions of the culture, behavior and business practices for 60 selected countries including the U.S.
Merriam-Webster's Guide to International Business Communications - HF 5718 .A765 (Ref)
Practical advice on how to communicate effectively around the world by mail, fax, and phone with specific communication data for 47 countries.
Passport to the World Series - Call #'s vary (Gen)
Country-specific books on business culture, customs and etiquette.
Peoples of the World. - Call #'s vary (Ref)
Each volume focuses on a specific region with essays on the cultures within that area of the world. Highlights the history, culture, family structure, religion, education and other social components of each ethnic group.
World Trade Press Country Business Guides Series - Call #'s vary (Gen)
Country-specific guides on doing business in major and emerging markets. Each guide covers key business and economic topics.

Finance

There are many different accounting standards and financial reporting practices throughout the world. Knowledge of the auditing and accounting principles for countries with which one is trading is imperative.

European Accounting Guide - HF 5616 .E8 E975 (Ref/Gen)
Country accounting standards, policies and practices for 25 individual European countries. Includes sample financial statements.
Guide to International Company Filings - HD 62.4 .C67 (Ref/Gen)
Brief overview of how companies traded on stock exchanges in 52 countries report and present their financial performance and corporate operations.
International Accounting Summaries - HF 5601 .I57 (Ref)
Survey of accounting standards in various countries throughout the world.
OECD Economic Surveys - Call #'s vary (Gen)
Reports of the economic performance of the organization's member nations, selected non- member countries and "Partners in Transition" countries. The Surveys review the most important economic developments for the past few years and give short-term projections.
Thomson Bank Directory - HG 2441 .R3 (Ref)
This comprehensive bank directory has international volumes that list all bank offices worldwide with bank codes, financial information, key officers, branch offices and affiliates for each bank. Also includes dates of banking holidays throughout the world.

Statistical Information

Statistics are the basic indicators of a country's prospects and wellbeing. They are very useful for planning, marketing and predicting.

Atlas of Global Development - G 1046 .G1 A85 (Ref/Gen)
This is a compact reference to basic economic and social statistics as well as global issues throughout the world. Published annually by the World Bank.
Demographic Yearbook - HA 17 .D45 (Ref)
A compilation of demographic data for more than 160 countries. Published annually by the Statistical Office of the United Nations.
European Marketing Data and Statistics - HA 1107 .E87 (Ref)
A compendia of statistical data relevant to marketing in the European countries. See International Marketing Data and Statistics, the companion international volume.
Eurostat Yearbook - HA 1107 .E89 (Ref)
The yearbook compares significant features from 1986 to the present for the European Union as a whole, individual countries of Europe as well as the United States, Canada and Japan.
Illustrated Book of World Rankings - HA 155 .K87 (Ref)
Ranks the performance of over 191 nations of the world in over 300 subject areas with data on topics such as population, economy, trade, culture, health and education.
International Financial Statistics Yearbook - HG 3881 .I572 (Ref/Gen)
This is the standard authority on international and national financial transactions of all members of the International Monetary Fund.
International Historical Statistics- Africa, Asia and Oceania; Europe; The Americas - Call #'s vary (Ref)
Historical statistics from 1750 to 1993 for population, labor force, agriculture, production, trade, transportation, finance, and education.
International Marketing Data and Statistics - HA 42 .I56 (Ref)
An annual publication that provides detailed statistical information pertaining to international market planning for the countries of the Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania. Subject areas include trends in consumer expenditures, retailing, advertising, consumer market sizes and prices, housing, communications, and transport.
International Trade Statistics Yearbook - HF 91 .U473 (Ref/Gen)
This yearbook presents data on the trade of more than 150 countries or regions with information on trends in current value, volume and price; the importance of trading partners; and the significance of individual commodities imported or exported.
Statistical Abstract of the United States - HA 202 .U5 S93 (Ref/Gen)
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/
Contains selected statistics for the world as a whole and comparative statistics on other countries and the U.S.
Statistical Yearbook - HA 12.5 .U63 (Ref/Gen)
An annual yearbook which provides international statistics on social and economic conditions at the world, regional and national levels for a 10-year period. Published by the United Nations.
U.S. Foreign Trade Highlights - HF 3000 .U173 (Ref/Gen)
http://www.ita.doc.gov/td/industry/otea/usfth/
A U.S. Department of Commerce publication with current data on U.S. trade by product and service with foreign countries for both exports and imports.
World Development Indicators - HC 59.15 .W656 (Ref/Gen)
Selected social and economic statistics for more than 200 economies from the World Development Report.
World Development Report - HC 59.7 .W659 (Gen)
Provides economic, social and natural resource indicators for selected years for more than 200 countries or territories. Published annually by the World Bank and Oxford University Press.
World Population Profile - HB 848 .W67 (Ref/Gen)
This biennial report presents the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimates and projections for countries and regions of the world with a population of at least 5000. information on population composition, growth, fertility, mortality, contraception and AIDS.
World Statistics Pocketbook - HA 154 .W67 (Ref/Gen)
This condensed version of the Statistical Yearbook presents basic statistics for all countries of the world.

Periodicals

The Library subscribes to the following international journals and magazines in print:

China Pictorial
China Quarterly
Current Digest of the Post-Soviet Press
East European Quarterly
Economist
Export America
Far Eastern Economic Review
Focus on Africa
France Today
India Today
Journal of Commerce
Sunday Times
World Trade

Online Databases

You must have a valid College of DuPage library card to access the electronic indexes and databases from off-campus.

Business Source Complete
This is an excellent source for locating articles on countries and international topics. Many are available fulltext on the computer. This database is available off campus with a College of DuPage Library card.
Proquest Newspapers (National)
This newspaper index contains the full text of articles from five major U.S. newspapers - Chicago Tribune, Christian Science Monitor, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post - all which address international business issues.

Internet Metasites

For information on the hundreds of individual Web sites that pertain to international topics, consult:

Internet Resources and Services for International Business: A Global Guide - HF 54.56 .L58 (Ref)
International Trade Internet Resources Research Guide
http://www.cod.edu/library/libweb/Wagner/Business/Itnlbusiness/fbinttrd.htm
globalEDGE
http://globaledge.msu.edu
This site provides links to a wide variety of international resources on the Internet. Maintained by Michigan State University.
International Trade Administration
http://www.ita.doc.gov
This is an excellent resource with information about countries, regions and industries. Also contains numerous links to other Internet sites - foreign business centers, emerging markets, export trading programs and centers.
Market Access and Compliance On-Line
http://www.mac.doc.gov
This site provides U.S. companies with a wide range of information on accessing foreign markets. Maintained by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
U.S. State Department
http://www.state.gov
The State Department provides background reports with useful commercial, political and travel information on regions throughout the world.