Quick Reads
- Industry Analysis: Overview & MethodsA short article from the Corporate Finance Institute defining industry analysis methods.
Templates for Industry Analysis
Your Librarian
What is Industry Research?
Industry research is an important part of creating business and strategic plans and deciding on which market to enter. In this phase of research, you will be identifying the industry or industries in which your business will operate, and looking for information about:
- Key players and companies in the industry
- Financial benchmarks
- Industry growth and performance
- Competitors and market concentration
- Barriers to entry
- Major markets and products
- External factors impacting the industry
Learn more about industry research in the links below.
Identify Your Industry
Identify Your Industry
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the standard used by Federal agencies in Canada, Mexico and the United States to classify businesses based on their type of economic activity. NAICS codes are self-assigned by businesses.
Image Source: IBISWorld
Selecting your primary NAICS code is an important step in business planning. It is often required for taxes and accessing government incentives, and it is very useful for finding information in your industry research.
What is my NAICS code?
- IBISWorld NAICS Tools
Use IBISWorld to learn about NAICS and determine your business's code
- NAICS Search
Search for an industry using a keyword or 2-6 digit code.
Best-Bet Resources for Industry Research
Library Resources
- Bizminer This link opens in a new window
The Industry Financial Profile function of BizMiner generates industry reports with financial analysis benchmarks at the national, state, and local levels. - Business Source Complete This link opens in a new window
Full-text articles from thousands of scholarly business journals, magazines, and trade journals from the fields of marketing, management, accounting, finance, and economics. Plus company and industry profiles, SWOT analyses, country economic reports, financial data, and investment reports.
- IBISWorld This link opens in a new window
Provides in-depth analysis of over 700 U.S. industries at the national and state level. Global industry reports are particularly strong in the manufacturing sector.
- Statista This link opens in a new window
Providing statistical data for over 170 industries in 50 countries.
Data & Information on the Web
- BLS Industries at a GlanceFull list of industries in the US, with overviews, workforce and earnings statistics, industry-specific pricing information and workplace trends.
- Bureau of Economic Analysis Industry ArticlesData and reports published by the BEA using U.S. Department of Commerce research
- EDGAR Company Filings10-K reports are excellent sources of information for understanding industry trends. Search for a publicly traded company in your industry and review the information in Item 1 of their most recent 10k report.
