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Country Information

This guide contains many resources for locating country information including economic country data and business conduct.

Government Information on the Web

Background Notes (now: U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets):  Published by the U.S. State Department, these files include facts about the land, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, and foreign relations of independent states, some dependencies, and areas of special sovereignty.

CIA World Factbook:  Provides information on the history, people, government, economy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues for 266 world entities.

Internet Sites for Country Info

globalEDGE:  Country Insights is a source for statistical data for 201 countries around the world. In addition to statistics, historical, and economic information, reports on political conditions are available.

World Bank Open Data: free and open access to data about development in countries around the globe.

Economic Indicators

Country Information in Business Source Complete

Business Source Complete contains many full text country reports which provide extensive data and analysis for nearly every country in the world. Sometimes finding these reports within the BSC database can present a challenge, and, in many cases, Business Source Complete is the only source for these reports. This handout can help with your research by identifying which reports are included in BSC, previewing their contents, and providing tips on accessing these reports.

 Tip: To find a given report, search for its exact title in the SO “Publication Name Field” in the dropdown menu next to each search box.  

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Title: Country Profile {Country Name} for example, Country Profile Mexico

Publisher: MarketLine (Annual) 70 country reports in this series.

Content: Includes analysis & background information on the country’s economic. political, social, technological and environmental landscape

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Title: OECD Economic Surveys: {Country Name} for example, OECD Economic Surveys: Russian Federation

Publisher: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development -OECD (Annual)

Six month delay from Publisher. 39 country reports in this series.

Content: Comprehensive survey covering the main issues and policy challenges in the country. Examines such issues as employment, competition, and innovation, and covers specific industries and sectors. Includes recommendations.

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(Titles of reports in this section all begin with the country name)

 

Title: {Country Name} Country Risk Report for example, Thailand: Country Risk Report. There are 80 individual country reports in this series. Included in the report is a SWOT analysis on the political, economic and business outlook for the country.

Publisher: Business Monitor International (Quarterly)

Content: Contains analysis and detailed three year forecasts for political risk, economic outlook and industry performance, set against global economic trends.

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Title: {Country Name} Country Monitor for example, Pakistan Country Monitor

Publisher: Global Insight (Monthly) Over 100 country reports in this series.

Content: Provides economic analysis and monthly, quarterly and annual forecasts. Somewhat dated.

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Title:  Datamonitor {Country Name}  for example, Datamonior: Argentina [Do not select SO for this one]

Publisher: Datamonitor (Annual) Over 50 country reports in this series

Content: Analysis and background information on a country’s economy and government. Includes factual information, demographics, and macroeconomic data.

Note: Datamonitor also publishes company profiles and industry reports for individual countries which are included in Business Source Complete.

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Title: {Country Name} Country Review for example, Mongolia Country Review

Publisher: CountryWatch (Annual) Some 200 country reports in this series.

Content: These are very detailed reports covering both large and small countries. Contains geographical, political, economic, corporate, and environmental information for the country. Social Overview with cultural dos and taboos is included for each country.

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Other databases containing country information

  • Statista
    Statista.com consolidates statistical data on over 80,000 topics from more than 22,500 sources. Pepperdine's subscription includes access to the expert tools and the Global Consumer Survey for 28 countries. Country Reports are available for 150 countries and focus on the general economy, consumers, technology, and politics. They allow regional comparisons than can be used for market research, risk assessment or for the strategy development, planning, and execution of business operations.
  • Mergent Online (formerly Moody's)
  • Gale Virtual Reference Library
    Access to encyclopedias and specialized reference sources including the Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations

Business Etiquette

Search for an item in The Pepperdine Libraries:
WorldCat.org >>

WorldCat Local will help you locate books on business etitquette. Type the name of you country and the phrase business etiquette and click Search.

Electronic Books

The library catalog includes many excellent electronic books describing and discussing business etiquette in various countries.  Search "etiquette china" for example, to see a range of titles.  You may add the word "business" but it does limit the search.