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MNGT 481:Research for Business Strategy & Policy
Dr. Sonya Merrill
Ms. Shana Gass, MSLS, MS, [email protected]
http://pages.towson.edu/sgass/courses
February 2011
Better Searching• Choose appropriate source• Background• A stingy search – each word reduces results• Boolean searching (AND, OR, NOT)• Truncation: strateg* finds strategy, strategic, strategies…• Coping “tricks” – re-sorting, narrowing down, searching in
title, etc.• Watch the dates• “Look for your answer, not your question”• Sometimes the answer is not to search but to read… (prime
example: value chain)
Boolean Searching• Makes your searches work better in library databases
• AND: use to require words in resultsExamples: Google and advertisingNetflix and strategy
• OR: use to give wiggle room, options for what words can appear. Usually use for synonyms or related terms.“Or = More”Examples: regulation or legislationsupplier or distributor
• NOT: use to exclude results that have that wordThe nuclear option – use with caution!Examples: Microsoft not antitrustApple not juice
Searching for Strategy (or other concepts)?
• [company name] and strateg*• Read: company reports• Read Annual Report > Letter to Shareholders• Read C-level interviews• Watch for patterns (and patents?)
A SWOT: Steps
1. Access Business Source Complete database.2. Search for your company3. On left side of screen, look Refine your search
> source types > Show More > SWOT Analyses (if available). Click.
4. Click on PDF file
• Company information – SWOT from Business Source Complete• Article searching – Business Source Complete• Company financials – Mergent• Company news scan – Factiva
Company Info / Strengths & Weaknesses
• Company web site – especially Investor Relations page
• Hoover’s In-depth record in LexisNexis Academic database > Companies > Company Profiles
• News and analysis
Opportunities & Threats
• Competitor info• Industry info (often clues to external
environment)• Marketing info– http://cooklibrary.towson.edu/marketing
• Recession– http://pages.towson.edu/sgass/courses/
downturn_recovery.pdf• News & analysis!
Cite Your Sources!
• Remember to cite in-text (using parenthetical citations) as needed AND to include a bibliography with complete information about all your sources
• Shana’s APA Citation Guide
Questions?
…feel free to contact me!
Ms. Shana Gass (410) 704-2395 [email protected] *preferred
Or the reference department:
Cook Library Website > Ask a Librarian for options (visit, email, call, IM, text…)
