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 results Examples:

Google and advertising Netflix 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 legislation supplier or distributor

• NOT : use to exclude results that have that word The nuclear option – use with caution!

Examples:

Microsoft not antitrust Apple 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 company 3. 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…)