MKTG 513: Pioneering Innovation: Company
Places to Start Research
- Company website: company history, mission/vision statement (as available), 10-K/Annual Report (for public companies), media/news/press releases.
- Not all companies have a "mission/vision statement", but you can get a general idea about what they do and want to be from their website and/or annual report/10-K.
- Company Profiles in library databases
- The following databases may have a readily available SWOT analysis on select companies: Business Insight, Business Source Premier, Investext.
- Information on public companies is much more readily available than info on private companies or subsidiaries. Tips on researching private companies.
Finding 10-Ks and 20-Fs
Different ways to search for company filings
- Company's website (usually under Investors or Investor Relations); or google [company name] 10k
- EDGAR search options: Filings search tool of the SEC.
** 20-F: annual SEC filings by foreign corporations traded on US exchanges.
Corporate Family Tree
Recommended
-
Mergent OnlineProvides detailed information on US and international public companies.
-
Nexis UniIncludes full text sources for regional, national, and international newspapers as well as business, legal, and medical publications, and also, government documents.
Others
-
Business Insights: GlobalProvides company and industry profiles, including SWOT reports, market share reports, investment reports, articles, financials, and case studies.
-
Reference Solutions (formerly ReferenceUSA)Provides profiles of U.S. companies, health care providers, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.
Channel Strategy
Companies are not required to disclose their supply chain information, although some choose to do so. You will have to synthesize information from multiple sources and draw your own conclusion. Possible sources include:
- Company website: annual report or 10-K (do a keyword search with "supply chain", "supplier", "sourcing", "logistics", "channel", or "distribut"; sustainability (corporate responsibility) report; press releases.
- Google for possible articles.
- Databases listed below:
-
IBISWorldThere is "supply chain" information on the industry (not company) level.
-
MintelRetail channel information is available under Market -> Market Breakdown and/or Appendix - Market.
-
PassportSome industry reports have a section on distribution such as typical purchase outlets (e.g., specialty store vs. supermarket).
-
SMA: Sports Market Analytics (formerly SBRNet: Sport Business Research Network)Select sport, find the product (if available) under Consumer Expenditures, then click on the link Purchases by Outlet Type.
-
StatistaProvides statistics from over 18,000 free and proprietary sources on a wide range of topics such as business, media, and demographics.
Company Profiles
Recommended
-
Business Insights: GlobalProvides company and industry profiles, including SWOT reports, market share reports, investment reports, articles, financials, and case studies.
-
Mergent OnlineProvides detailed information on US and international public companies.
-
Business Source PremierProvides full text and citations to articles in various business publications; also includes company profiles, industry profiles, and country information. Some additional content may be freely available during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Others
-
Investext (via Mergent Online)Provides reports written by analysts at investment banks, brokerage houses, and consulting firms. Reports cover financials and analysis on companies and select industries.
-
PassportProvides profiles on select (mostly large) companies.
-
StatistaProvides statistics from over 18,000 free and proprietary sources on a wide range of topics such as business, media, and demographics.
-
Reference Solutions (formerly ReferenceUSA)Provides profiles of U.S. companies, health care providers, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.
Company Rankings
Recommended
-
StatistaClick Reports on the top navigation bar, then click Toplists, which lists top companies in various industries.
-
Forbes ListsCompany rankings.
-
Fortune RankingsRankings by Fortune Magazine. Includes Fortune 500, Most Admired Companies, and more.
-
Portland Business JournalTemporarily Unavailable
Provides access to Portland Business Journal and Book of Lists. Also includes other city business journals. PSU faculty/staff/students please log in with your PSU (ODIN) ID to view username/password. Visitors please contact the Reference Desk.
Others
-
Business Insights: GlobalIncludes Business Rankings Annual.
-
FT Global 500Financial Times Global 500 largest companies.
-
Inc. 5000: America's Fastest Growing Private CompaniesCriteria to be in Inc 5000
Supply Chain
Companies are not required to disclose their suppliers or supply chain practices. Here are some possible sources to check:
- Company website:
- There may be a specific section dedicated to information related to suppliers. If available, a sustainability or social responsibility report might shed some light too.
- 10-K or other public filings: do a keyword search using "supply chain", "supplier", "sourcing", "purchasing", "logistics", "channel", "procurement", or "distribut" to find the relevant sections, if available.
- Press releases (sometimes called News, or Media)
- Conference calls transcripts.
- Articles: esp. those from trade publications and business newspapers/magazines. Google or use library article databases such as Business Source Premier and Nexis Uni.
- IBISWorld (library database): find report on the industry your company operates in. The first tab "About this Industry" shows the supply chain ecosystem surrounding your industry.
- Investext (library database): do a keyword + company name search for analyst reports.
If possible, conduct primary research such as visiting the company/store and interviewing company management/employee.
Free Websites for Company Profiles
The following sites are mostly free, but some content might require a fee from individual users:
-
IQS DirectoryA directory of manufacturers and suppliers serving major segments of the OEM industrial manufacturing marketplace across the United States and Canada.
-
KompassInternational directory of producers, distributors, service providers, exporters, importers, etc. Full version available at the Multnomah County Library - Central Branch.
-
ThomasNet (formerly Thomas Register)Directory of manufacturers, distributors and service providers in US. Searchable by brand, product, and company name.
-
Yahoo FinanceCompany information (description, financials, news, etc.) and market data (stock and mutual fund performance).
Historical Company Profiles
Most company profiles have a "history" section. You can also check out databases featuring historical annual reports.
Recommended
-
International Directory of Company HistoriesSearch by company name in "Search Within Results.". Accessed via Business Insights: Global.
-
Notable Corporate ChronologiesUse "Search Within Results.". Accessed via Business Insights: Global.
Others
-
Mergent ArchivesAvailable online through the Multnomah County Library. Requires a Multnomah County Library card. More info at https://multcolib.org/get-library-card.. Access to Moody's Corporate, Municipal, and Government Manuals (1918-present).
-
Proquest Historical Annual ReportsArchives pdf images U.S. companies annual reports from 1844 to the present.
Executive Compensation
-
Mergent OnlineProvides detailed information on US and international public companies.
Organizational Charts
Companies (even public ones) are not required to disclose their organizational charts. Top-level executive names may be available on company websites and in their proxy statements (for public companies), and company profile databases (e.g., LexisNexis).
The following sources may provide specific charts for select companies:
-
The Official BoardOffers charts for "the world's 20,000 largest corporations." Free membership limited to viewing 15 charts.
-
Org Charts by CogmapCogmap is a wiki containing over 7,000 company organization charts.
Others Suggestions:
- Search article databases or google [company name] and "organization chart" (or "organizational chart", or "organizational structure")
- Request it from the company; explain why you need the information and how you'd use it (e.g., educational purposes, term paper, etc.).