Overseas Company Information
Use the following resources to find information about Overseas Companies.
Selected Directories
Keyword search for directories using the country or industry, and directories. Narrow the search to businesses by using the keyword commerce e.g.china commerce directorieswine directories. Or use one of the major publications listed here...
- International Directory of Company Histories
This multivolume encyclopedia gives 1-2 page profiles of larger companies, and is particularly good for historical background. Profiles are updated regularly. - Hoovers' Handbook of World Business
Hoovers produce a range of company directories; another is Hoovers' Handbook of American Business. Their website is also useful for free brief company details (fuller details are available for a fee). - Kompass Series
A series of directories providing company and product information by country. Check the Library catalogue using the Kompass and the country name for print copies for different countries. Limited information is also available online. - Thomas register of American manufacturers and Thomas register catalog file
Company and product information for the USA. - Who Owns Whom: Australasia, Asia, Middle East, Africa
Information on wholly owned subsidiaries is often easier to find by searching under the parent company. This directory can help you establish company ownership structures. There are similar publications for Continental Europe, United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, and North and South America.
Journals and Newspapers
You can also access many more Business Newspapers or search for articles using our electronic resources.
Electronic Databases
There are a number of electronic resources available for business research in the State Library. Search results from these resources may be printed; downloaded to a thumb drive or CD-ROM; or emailed your own computer (subject to the licence agreements and software functionality of individual databases). These databases are particularly useful for company research:
- Business Source Premier (EBSCOHost)
Contains information from the international business literature relating to all aspects of business and industry. It includes full text articles, industry reports and company profiles.
Our Databases from Home service provides access to resources that can help you with business research. All you need is your public library card number and you can begin accessing a world of information from your home computer.
Other Selected Information Resources
Professional Associations
Trade and professional associations are useful contacts for finding information about smaller, especially private companies, which may not have got much attention in the media. Resources which list associations in various subject or industry fields include:
- Encyclopedia of Associations: International Organizations
- Directory of British Associations
- Associations on the Net
Part of the Internet Public Library, this site offers links to over 2000 association web sites, mainly in the United States.
Internet Sources
Government Websites
- Companies House
All companies in the United Kingdom must register and report information such as shareholders, directors and annual accounts with Companies House. Their database of company names and addresses is searchable Monday - Saturday, 7am - 12 midnight UK time. Fees are charged for some information. - EDGAR Database of Corporate Information
EDGAR is the USA Securities and Exchange Commission's free database of electronic documents filed by companies, including form 10-K annual reports.
Special Interest Groups
- Corporatewatch
Corporate Watch is a consumer activist organisation that specialises in gathering corporate information, focusing on multinationals. Their website has an excellent 'resources'section enabling a search by company, industry or issue.
Selected Websites
- Annualreports.com
A free service offering access to a range of recent US company annual reports. Links to similar international sites (eg CAROL: Company Annual Reports On Line for the UK) are also given. - CAROL Company Annual Reports Online
Company Information for Europe and USA. Information is free but you will need to register. - Corporate Information
This site links to over 350,000 company profiles on other sites (including Wright Investors' Service) and also offers company research reports and brief profiles of industry sectors in particular countries. - Gary Price's List of Lists
A comprehensive listing of links to business-related rankings (eg: top companies in particular fields) available on the web. - Hoovers Online
Capsule summaries of financial and contact information for over 14,000 public and private companies are available free; more detailed information is available to subscribers. - Kompass
Provides access to company and product/services data worldwide. - World Federation of Exchanges
This site lists stock exchanges worldwide; stock exchange websites in turn may provide stock quotes and links to websites, news and announcements from listed companies.
Page last updated: Sunday 10 January 2010
