BA 100: Introduction to Business

Skip Contact Info and Research Tips

Contact

Susan Ware
Title: Reference Librarian

John D. Vairo Library
25 Yearsley Mill Road
Media, PA 19063
610 892 1386

email icon email Susan

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email icon email Brandywine

Course Info

Course Name:
  BA 100
Semester:
  Spring
Campus:
  Penn State Brandywine
Instructor:
  O'Lear

Welcome

Welcome to the Penn State Libraries!

Use the tabs above to learn more about the library resources and services that will help you gather company and industry information.

If you need additional sources or have questions, ask the Vairo Library librarians (Susan, Mary Fran, and Sara) for help -- in-person or by email.

You may also chat online with a Penn State librarian about your research needs. Don't be surprised if you are helped by Susan, Mary Fran, or Sara through chat reference, as well as in Vairo Library and by email!

Company/Industry Profiles

What is the difference between PUBLIC and PRIVATE companies?

One of the biggest differences relates to public disclosure.

Public U.S. companies are traded on a U.S. stock exchange, and are typically required to file quarterly earnings reports (among other things) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This information is also made available to shareholders and the public.
Private companies are privately owned, do not trade company stock on a stock exchange, and are not required to disclose their financial information to anyone.

COMPANY/INDUSTRY PROFILES:

Hoover's: includes both public and private companies. Hoover's provides detailed Fact Sheets that include: company overview, history, people, products/operations, industry, competitors, news, and financials for over 13,000 U.S. and 2,0000 international companies. Includes both public and private companies.

Mergent Online: includes detailed business descriptions, corporate histories, and financial statements on 11,000 U.S. public companies and 17,000 non-U.S. public companies.

Standard & Poors NetAdvantage: includes S&P Corporation Records, Register of Executives, & Directors, Investor’s Guide, Bond Guide, and Industry Surveys. Industry Surveys include an annual Basic Analysis, a short Current Analysis, and a Comparative Company Analysis.

Business News, Commentary

BUSINESS NEWS, COMMENTARY:

ABI/INFORM Complete: includes more than 1,000 major business periodicals. TIP: Use “Classification Codes” to precisely target a search by topic, industry or market, geographical area, or document type.

Business Source Premier: includes more than 2,000 business periodicals, in virtually all disciplines in business and economics.

Factiva: provides full-text of the top national and international newspapers (including the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times ), newswires, business journals, market research reports, analysts reports and web sites.

Access World News (Newsbank): Access World News (Newsbank) contains full-text of local and regional newspapers across the United States. Includes the Philadelphia Inquirer and local New Jersey and Delaware newspapers.