Library Guides: BUS 400: Strategic Management: STEEPD (Macro-Environment)

Social / Cultural

Pew Research Center: Social and Demographic Trends
Gallup Poll Reports
Reports of Gallup polls on these categories: Economy, Education, Politics, and Well-Being. Also reports related to business topics such as Employee/Customer Engagement, Manufacturing, Marketplace, and Retail. The link goes to Well-Being reports.
USAFacts
A data-driven portrait of the American population, government finances, and government’s impact on society. Relies exclusively on publicly available government data sources.

Technology

Deloitte Technology Trends Report
"Outlines eight trends that could potentially disrupt the way businesses engage their customers, how work gets done, and how markets and industries evolve."
Gartner, Inc.
"Gartner is the IT professional's best first source for addressing virtually any IT issue because of our world-class, objective insight, the rapid access to that insight, and the low cost compared to the impact and other alternatives." Account required to view free research reports.
McKinsey & Company
The "Insights and Publications" tab provides access to reports, articles etc. on management issues including information systems.
UPS "Pulse of the Online Shopper"
The study explores the online shopping experience, mobile and social technology in shopping and more. Sign up for free account to view the report.

Economic Factors

Bureau of Labor Statistics Economy at a Glance
National, regional, state, and metropolitan-area data on unemployment rates, average hourly earnings, consumer price index, and producer price index.
COFACE Economic Studies: United States
Analyst's report on economic strengths and weaknesses, containing an economic and political risk assessment. From the French credit insurance company Compagnie Française d'Assurance pour le Commerce Extérieur.
Conference Board: Consumer Confidence Index
From the web site: "The monthly Consumer Confidence Survey®, based on a probability-design random sample, is conducted for The Conference Board by Nielsen, a leading global provider of information and analytics around what consumers buy and watch."
Economic Indicators: U.S. Census Bureau
At a glance view 15 economic indicators, including industry profits, construction spending, and durable goods manufacturing. Select chart icon (shown at left) to view all data in time series.
Pew Research Center: Economics and Personal Finances
From the web site: "Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. We conduct public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other data-driven social science research. We do not take policy positions."

Trade Associations

Industry associations can be a gold mine of information about trends, market share, consumer behavior, and more! Follow these steps to locate associations within your industry:These databases provide lists of trade associations:
* Business Insights: Global
* Mintel Academic

* Encyclopedia of Associations, covers more than 23,000 organizations in categories such as trade, business, and commercial; legal, governmental, public administration, and military; cultural; educational; veterans, hereditary, and patriotic; athletic and sports; fan clubs, and many more.

Another way to locate trade associations is to search the Internet:

Environmental

Think Tank Search
Find publications written by partisan and non-partisan public policy research groups. Choose the "About us" page for each think tank to determine if they are partisan or non-partisan.

Political

Gallup Poll Reports
Reports of Gallup polls on these categories: Economy, Education, Politics, and Well-Being. Also reports related to business topics such as Employee/Customer Engagement, Manufacturing, Marketplace, and Retail. The link goes to Well-Being reports.
globalEDGE | Get Insights: United States
Information on US history, government, economy, and culture. Includes political, cultural, and environmental risk assessment.
COFACE Economic Studies: United States
Analyst's report on economic strengths and weaknesses, containing an economic and political risk assessment. From the French credit insurance company Compagnie Française d'Assurance pour le Commerce Extérieur.

Demographic

Explore Census Data
Obtain all U.S. Census Bureau data. View community profiles for states, counties, and other geographic locations. Use the Geocoder to determine your neighborhood's Census geographies. Watch Census Bureau Tutorials
Population Reference Bureau | Resource Library
USAFacts
A data-driven portrait of the American population, government finances, and government’s impact on society. Relies exclusively on publicly available government data sources.

Trade Publications

Improve your understanding of the industry macro-environment
by searching these databases for industry publications:

Business Source Premier This link opens in a new window
Business journals and magazines, as well as company, industry, country, and market research reports. Some full text. 1922-
Nexis Uni - no longer available
Try these alternative resources:
Newspapers: America's News or Press Reader
Congressional: ProQuest Congressional
Legal: Oyez (Supreme Court) or PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records)