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BUS 300: EFE Matrix Research Guide

Find resources for creating an External Factor Evaluation (EFE) Matrix where you will identify and analyze social, cultural, demographic, and environmental factors that impact your business.

Find Company Reports/Profiles

Overview

A good place to start your research for this project is finding a report/profile on your chosen company. Use the instructions below to find information on your company both online and through the library databases.

Find a Company’s Annual Report/10K (Public Companies)

Publicly traded companies in the U.S. are required to file documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Two of these documents, the Annual Report and the 10k, can provide a wealth of knowledge about a company. These financial statements are designed to inform the public (shareholders, investors, analysists, etc.) about the performance of the company.  

Where can I find these reports?

Companies will host these reports on their corporate websites (be aware that these sites may differ from their user-facing websites). When navigating these websites, look for an “About," “Company Information,” "Financial Reports," or “Investor Relations” link. If you are having trouble finding your company's public records, reach out to a librarian for help.  

Example: LEGO Group Annual Reports

Use Library Databases to Find Company Reports

CityU Library subscribes to a number of specialized business databases that carry high-quality company reports. Keep in mind that you may have to search in multiple databases to determine which database offers the most relevant and substantial reports for your company or industry.  

Here is a list of databases that carry company reports: 

  • Search by company name or ticker symbol and select the company from results. Use the tabs at the top to navigate the report. 
  1. In Advanced Search, enter your company name in the first search box. 
  2. Scroll down to “Document Type” and choose “Company Report"
  3. Click search. 
  • Search by company name and select the company from the results

Pro Tip: Two key pieces to look for in a company report are SWOT analyses and top competitors. You can find more in-depth how-to guides for finding these items here:

Find Journal, Magazine, or News Articles on Companies and their Competitors

Magazine, journal or news articles on your company adds recent data on trends, consumer behavior, advertising, mergers, pricing, etc. Articles are especially useful for finding information about private companies. You can find this type of information by searching the following databases:  

When searching, combine your company name plus any relevant keywords. Make sure to limit your search by date and source type using the filters (located on the left-hand side of the results screen). 

Looking for news and information on local, Seattle-area businesses? Check out Puget Sound Business Journal via the National Business Journal Portal linked above.