Welcome!
In this guide you will find helpful resources on multiple forms of business communication, including written communication, business meetings and presentations, plus managerial and leadership skills for communicating with others in the workplace.
Librarians are here to help! Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have.
Library Information
Harborside Library
Friedman Center
321 Harborside Boulevard
Providence, Rhode Island 02905
401-598-1466
Downcity Library
Yena Center, 2nd Floor
111 Dorrance Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
401-598-1121
Research Assistance
- Ask a Librarian - ChatHave a quick question? Need some assistance but can't make it to the library? Send us a chat!
- Research AppointmentIf you've got a more in-depth question or could use some help with a bigger project, you can book a time to meet with one of the librarians! Appointments are available in-person at Harborside and Downcity, or through Zoom.
Suggested Business Databases
- Business Insights Global This link opens in a new window Case studies, company profiles & industry research reportsCountry economic reports, market research reportsSWOT analyses, and video interviews with business executives, and selective full-text articles
- Business Plans Handbooks This link opens in a new window A collection of authentic business plans in manufacturing, retail, and the service industries, as well as start ups, and submitted by entrepreneurs in North America (company names and addresses have been changed)Each volume includes a business plan template, a listing of organizations, agencies & consultants, glossary and moreClick on the "i" icon for more examples of the types of businesses represented
- Business Source Complete This link opens in a new window Company profiles, SWOT analyses where available, industry profiles, stocks and investment information, management-related articlesHarvard Business Review case studies and streaming videos from the Harvard Business School Faculty Seminar Series, and selective full-text articlesJWU Library does not have access to Harvard Business Cases
- First Research (Mergent) This link opens in a new window In-depth U.S. and global-wide industry profiles (each report includes an overview of business challenges, trends, opportunities, and ratios)"State and Province Profiles" with a clickable map for monthly updates of local industry, economic, employment, and wage data for each of the 50 states and Canadian Provinces
- Gale OneFile Business This link opens in a new window Selective full-text articles, case studies, and reports covering Accounting, Economics, Finance, Management & Strategy, and Marketing
- IBISWorld This link opens in a new window Industry research for over 700 U.S. industries, hard-to-find U.S. "specialized industries", and some state-level industry researchUpdated reports: Global-wide industries and industries in ChinaIndustry reports include "Key Statistics," "Key Ratios," and supply-chain overviews
- MarketResearch.com Academic This link opens in a new window Industry reports including demographics, market trends, forecasts, analysis of major brands, new products, and consumer trends and buyer behavior
- Morningstar Investment Research Center This link opens in a new window Financial information on thousands of stocks traded on the major exchanges, plus mutual funds and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)Portfolio planning tools and investment advice videosOnly a limited number of people can access Morningstar at the same time - PLEASE CLICK ON THE BUTTON "End Session"
- Regional Business News (EBSCO) This link opens in a new window Selective, full-text articles from business journals, newspapers, and newswires within the U.S.
- RKMA This link opens in a new window Content updated every two yearsReports cover fields such as Consumer Behavior & Marketing, Entertainment & Leisure, Pandemic Impact, Restaurant/Food & Beverage, Retail/E-commerce, Sports Marketing, Travel & Tourism, and U.S. Cities & CommunitiesUse CTRL F to search PDF for key terms
- SAGE Journals Online This link opens in a new window Full-text peer-reviewed journal articles from 1999-TO THE CURRENT YEARContent covers fields such as Administration & Leadership, Business/Management, Clothing & Textiles, Criminal Justice, Cultures, Education, Entrepreneurship, Food Science, Hospitality, Information Science, Literature, Marketing, Sports, Travel & Tourism
- Simmons Insights This link opens in a new window Simmons Insights is Simmons Research’s online platform for analysis of national consumer and market insightsLimited to 25 users at one time, please log out when done
- SRDS This link opens in a new window Find ad rates, circulation figures, audience demographics, and contact info. for publishers/salesIdentify consumer spending behavior in potential market areasReport titles include Business Publication Media, Consumer Magazine Media, Direct Marketing, Digital Networks & Tech, Digital Websites, International Media Guides, Local Media, Newspaper Media, Out-of-Home Media, Print Media Production, Radio Media, TV & Cable Media, and moreIMPORTANT: A padlock icon means the library is not subscribed to that contentTo access Nielsen Segmentation & Market Solutions: Click on the green login button. No additional credentials are required. Allow time for the reports to load!
- VentureLine This link opens in a new window Cross-sectional financial analysis tools for public and private companies, comparing industry financial ratios to any company or comparing two companies in similar lines of businessAccess to Ventureline's MBA Glossary of accounting terms (PDF)
- Wall Street Journal; Eastern Edition (ProQuest) This link opens in a new window WSJ is the world's leading financial newspaperSelective full-text articles from 1984 to the presentImages not included
For more sources of information that contain eBooks and a broader range of topics, check out our full list of business guides and databases.
