Library Guides: Management & Leadership in a Global Society: GBA 523: Industry

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is a numerical classification system used to group/classify like companies into industries for the purpose of collecting, analyzing and publishing statistical data related to the business economy. It represents a collaboration between the governments of Canada, Mexico and the United States stemming from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It categorizes narrowly defined economic activities, or industries, in a consistent manner among the the three trading partners, although the system does leave room for fine level customization with each country. For more information, see the U.S. Census Bureau e-tutorial on NAICS.

Example of NAICS Classification by Digit Level:

Sector: 44 Retail Trade
Subsector: 443 Electronics and Appliance Stores
Industry Group: 4431 Electronics and Appliance Stores
International Industry: 44311 Appliance, Television, and Other Electronics Stores
National Industry: 443111 Household Appliance Stores (Countries may designate a six-digit code to recognize large, important industries relevant to the specific country.)

The following websites can be used to identify appropriate NAICS codes:

Company Profiles may also be used to identify the NAICS code(s) for any industries in which a company may operate.

U.S. Census Bureau e-tutorial on NAICS

Industry Information Resources - Library Databases

Use the following databases to locate industry information.

ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry
Trade and industry news including coverage of companies, products, trends, SWOT analyses, and more
Business Insights: Essentials - Industries Tab
Perform an industry search by NAICS Code (e.g., 722515) or Industry description (e.g., Eating Places).
Business Monitor International (BMI) Industry Reports
Country and region-specific industry reports that provide overview, trends, forecasts, SWOT analysis, and more on a monthly or quarterly basis
Business Source Complete - Industry Profiles
Select "Industry Profiles" from the "Browse" box on the right-side of the page and enter industry keyword(s) (e.g., restaurants) to find links to industry reports that may contain Porter's Five Forces analysis.
First Research Industry Profiles
U.S. focused industry reports.
Hoover's Industries
Choose "Industries" from the drop-down "All Categories" menu and enter either a NAICS code or industry key words. Alternatively, perform a "Companies" search, then click on the "Industry Information" link in the Company Index. Click on any industry designation listed to view an in-depth report of the industry.
Mergent Online
Click on the "Industry Analysis" tab at the top of the page to search for specific industries and regions.
Plunkett Research Online
In-depth analysis of industry trends, market research, and industry statistics including finances, markets, technology, deregulation, research/development, and globalization.
S&P Capital IQ NetAdvantage
Select Industry Survey from the menu bar at the top of the page. Use the drop-down menu to select a Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) industry description and view a list of available Surveys.

Value Line
Select "Browse Industry" from the menu bar at the top of the page. Under "Value Line Featured Lists: Industry Screens," open the "Select screen" drop-down menu to view the select industries covered. Clicking on an industry will take you to a list of companies within that industry. Industry reports are reached through company reports. "Investment Education" may also be selected from the menu bar at the top of the page to access PDF and video "Tool Guides."

Industry Information Resources - Library Print Resources

The following print resources are available on the main floor of the Library:

Encyclopedia of American Industries (Ref HC 102 .E53 - 3 vols.)

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) (Ref HC 106.6 .N67)

U.S. Industry & Market Outlook (Ref HC 101 .U55bx)