Industry And Competitor Analysis
INDUSTRY
AND
COMPETITOR
ANALYSIS
This guide provides an overview of techniques useful in conducting an industry or
competitor analysis and a listing of resources available in Milner Library. For additional printed
sources consult the subject online catalog. The subject headings used in the catalog are not
always the terms you expect. For example, information about soft drinks is located under
CARBONATED BEVERAGES, but information about the industry is under SOFT DRINK
INDUSTRY. Use the Library of Congress Subject Headings to identify the correct headings.
If you do not find any books listed for a specific industry, look under the subject heading for the
broad industry group instead. For example, if no books are listed under SOFT DRINK
INDUSTRY, try BEVERAGE INDUSTRY. Books about the broader industry group may contain
chapters or sections about your industry. Books about individual firms can be located by
searching the catalog under the name of the firm as a subject heading.
The basic steps in an industry and competitor analysis are to:
1. Identify the industry for the firm, product, or service
2. Analyze the industry
3. Identify competitors
4. Analyze the competition
5. Dig deeper - use norms and ratios, guides to sources, and periodical articles.
IDENTIFY THE INDUSTRY IN WHICH THE FIRM OPERATES
If it is not evident from the firm's name or other information you have, consult:
Value Line Investment Survey. (Desk Reference HG 4501 .V26)
Mergent's Industry Review. (Desk Reference HG 4961 .M6803)
Industry Surveys. (Desk Reference HG 4905 .S64)
For listed firms, you can determine the industry, and the major competitors, as these
sources analyze the industry leaders.
Standard & Poor's Register of Corporations. (Desk Reference HG 4057 .A401)
Million Dollar...
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