Databases from the Library
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CountryWatch This link opens in a new windowCountryWatch provides critical country-specific intelligence and data that covers demographic, political, economic, business, cultural and environmental subject matter. Click on My Subscription in top right corner of page to to discover what's included and available.
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EconLit This link opens in a new window
AEA uses the JEL classification system and controlled vocabulary of keywords to index six types of records: journal articles, books, collective volume articles, dissertations, working papers and full-text book reviews from the Journal of Economic Literature. Citations and abstracts date back to 1886.
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World Geography This link opens in a new windowGeneral information on countries of the world, including overviews of the culture, environment, history, and government.
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Global Road WarriorThis is a SJPL database, login with your San Jose Public Library Card. It is produced by World Trade Press. Information provided is very similar to Country Watch. It includes News Feeds with real-time updates.
PESTEL Defined
A PESTEL analysis examines a company's external environment using the six criteria shown at the left. This analysis is often used in an international context--because a business model that works well in the United States might nottranslate to another country's business culture--but it can also be used domestically.
Theanalysis will give you a feel for the opportunities and threats facing your firm. It should also uncover trends to watch in the future. With this information, you can decide how your firm can be most competitive.
Begin Here
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Business Source Complete This link opens in a new windowThe Country Reports in Business Source Complete provide information that can be used in PESTEL analyses by country. To find them, scroll down and click the Country Reports tile.
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CountryWatch This link opens in a new windowChoose the Country Reviews option toward the top right of the main page for an easy and quick way to locate PEST information as well as demographics and environmental issues for the country of your choice.
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Statista This link opens in a new windowAt the top of the home page, search on [name of country] Country Report. For example, France country report. Reports may include information on the economy, trade, society, consumer behavior, infrastructure, and politics. Other databases you can use for your analysis are listed below by topic.
Free on the Web
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CIA World FactbookThe Factbook provides information on the history, people, government, economy, energy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues for 267 world entities, basically every country, dependency, and geographic entity in the world..
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CPI: Corruption Perceptions Index“First launched in 1995, the CPI has been widely credited with putting the issue of corruption on the international policy agenda.” It is produced by Transparency International.
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Doing Business 2020This sourcemeasures regulations across 190 economies in 12 business regulatory areas to assess the business environment in each economy. Ten of these indicators were used to estimate an ease of doing business score this year, over the 12 months ending April 30, 2019.
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Global EdgeThis site is hosted by Michigan State University, funded in part by US Department of Education, Title VI B Grant. It includes course materials that instructors can use for their classes. It has a wealth of resources including guided modules with case studies and narratives.
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Google SearchUse Google to find country information. Make sure to inspect the accuracy and integrity of the information. Generally speaking, the following sites are more reliable: .org, .gov, .edu. Try a search such as Mexico site:gov.
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International Monetary FundAccording to its website, IMF " is an organization of 189 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world." Take a look at the IMF Data Mapper (link on the left) to find a country's GDP.