It is easier to search for industry information when you know the NAICS or SIC number for it.
The database uses only NAICS numbers. To learn what NAICS codes are and how to find a code number for a particular industry, see the NAICS & SIC Codes page of this guide.
Once you know the NAICS number for your industry, follow the step-by-step instructions below for each of the three methods of finding industry information in the database.
Also provided below are directions on how to limit your search results.
To Find an Industry Overview
- Enter the NAICS code in the first search box on the initial screen of the database.
- Drop down the "Select a Field ..." menu to the right of that search box.
- Click on "IC NAICS Code or Description."
- Click on the "Full Text" box in the "Limit Your Results" section of the page.
- Click on “Industry Overview” in the “Document Type” menu in the “Limit Your Results” section of the page.
- Click on “Search.”
- A list of industry profiles for the United States and other countries will appear as well as global industry profiles. If you want to limit your search to a specific country or countries, scroll down the left column, click on "Show More" under the Geography heading, select the appropriate nation(s), and click on "Update."
To Find the Industry Profile
- Enter the NAICS code in the first search box on the initial screen of the database.
- Drop down the "Select a Field ..." menu to the right of that search box.
- Click on "IC NAICS Code or Description."
- Click on the "Full Text" box in the "Limit Your Results" section of the page.
- Click on “Industry Profile” in the “Publication Type” menu in the “Limit Your Results” section of the page. (Could also limit to "Market Research Report," OR "SWOT Analysis.")
- Click on “Search.”
- If more than one entry is listed, click on the one with your NAICS number and a keyword for your industry.
- This gives you access to a report that can range from something like 30 to 100+ pages and contains market reports, industry trends, and demographic data.
- Note: There are some industries for which there is not an industry profile in the Business Source Complete database.
If You Need Further Information on the Industry
- Enter the NAICS code in the first search box on the initial screen of the database.
- Drop down the "Select a Field ..." menu to the right of that search box.
- Click on "IC NAICS Code or Description."
- Click on the "Full Text" box in the "Limit Your Results" section of the page.
- Click on “Search.”
- A very long list of entries appears.
- If there are too many search result entries and you would like to come up with a more fine-tuned list, see the directions below for limiting your search results.
Limiting Your Search Results
If you have a long list of search results and would like a more fine-tuned list, choose one or more of the following options from the left column:
- Under the "Limit To" heading, click the box by "Full Text" if it is not yet checked. Checking this box will cause you to get only results for which you have immediate access to the content and not just the citation or an abstract.
- Under the "Limit To" heading, click the box by "Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) Journals." Your results will come from publications in which the articles have been reviewed by experts in the appropriate field of study before being published in the journal.
- Under the "Limit To" heading, change the publication date range to eliminate the oldest search results. Slide the left end of the date-slider bar to the right to a more recent date.
- Under the "Source Types" heading, click on the "Show More" link. Choose one or more types of publications, such as SWOT Analyses, Market Research Reports, Trade Publications, etc. Click on "Update."
- Under the other headings, you can limit by subjects, publication titles, company names, geographic locations, and NAICS/Industry groups.
