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Business Networks and Information Resources

The removal of international trade barriers has brought quickly changing global markets where competition is fierce between large, medium and small firms. International business information is fast becoming a prime commodity, and information based networks are being developed to help small and medium enterprises communicate about business needs, expand their markets, share their resources, knowledge and experience. This page lists and rates electronic resources related to business networks and topical guides and meta-indexes which identify, describe, and evaluate Internet-based business information resources.

Version Française

Last updated May 24th 2005

no star: Average ; Fair ; Good ; Very good ; Excellent ; Outstanding

Sites are reviewed individually and rated mostly according to content depth and value added, while also considering ease of navigation and speed of loading. For each category best resources are listed first.

Yahoo! Business and Economy Yahoo! has been rated the # 1 guide to the Internet, both in terms of reach and efficiency, and the "business and economy" section is no exception. This meta-index offers everything you can dream of, from current business headlines and news, finance and investment information, list of meta resources to detailed sub-category listings. Combined with a powerful search engine it is probably the most extensive source of information available on the Net today. Sometimes a bit overwhelming in its scope!! Rutgers University Business Research Guide This Research & Reference Gateway from Rutgers University is a fantastic meta-index covering all aspects of business from accounting, financing, electronic commerce to international business, market research and small business and entrepreneurship. The site is very clearly organized and appealing to the eye making it a pleasure to use. A truly exceptional resource. MSU-CIBER International Business Resources on the WWW Michigan State University's Center for International Business Education and Research (MSU-CIBER) has set up this very rich and excellent meta index of International Business Resources on the WWW. I particularly liked their regional and country specific information. WWW Virtual Library: International Affairs Resources This section of the WWW Virtual Library system was created, and is maintained, by Wayne A. Selcher, Professor of International Studies, Elizabethtown College. It covers general sources, media sources, international organizations, international business resources, information on countries, etc. Overall an excellent site truly representative of what a Virtual Library should be. About.com About.com is a new concept of web guide relying on outside experts to compile lists of sites that deal with their areas of expertise.The result is impressive as well as innovative. A combination of news, feature articles, country focus, practical tips, preferred links, etc make the site enjoyable as well as useful. I particularly liked the small business and global business sections. A truly excellent site, directly focused on the information needs of small businesses and a model to follow. Scout Report for Business & Economics Part of the Internet Scout Project, University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Scout Report in Business & Economics is a weekly publication offering a selection of new and newly discovered Internet resources of interest. Although originally targeting university professors,, students and librarians, it should be interesting to anyone looking for up-to-date information in this area. A truly excellent site. BizOffice Small and home based business info: Small & home based franchises, business opportunities, small business reference material, info to help run & market your small or home based business, small & home based newsgroups, searching tools, serv ices for small business, just about anything related to small & home based business can be found in these links. Excellent site, essential for any small or home-based business Argus Clearinghouse Business & Employment The Argus Clearinghouse (labelling itself: "The Premier Internet Research Library") provides a central access point for value-added topical guides which identify, describe, and evaluate Internet-based information resources. Their mission is to facilitate intellectual access to information resources on the Internet. This particular meta-site provides numerous rated sites on Business, Finance and Economics as well as Employment BizEc Part of NetEc, an effort to improve the communication of research in Economics via electronic media, BizEc provides a comprehensive international list of select resources in business administration on the Web. Resources cover financing and accounting, general management, human resources, marketing, operations and technology, and economy. What is rather unique about BizEc is that it differentiates between daily, weekly or monthly, and long term resources. Excellent site. Social Science Information Gateway (SOSIG) SOSIG is an online catalogue of quality Internet resources. This meta-index covers a wide variety of subjects including Business and Industrial Management , Commerce and Trade, Economics, Finance, Banking, Monetary Systems , International Law , Management , Market Research , Marketing, Vocational Education . An excellent descriptive directory. Nijenrode Business Information Services Established by Nijenrode University, in the Netherlands, this site focuses on resources relevant to students, faculty, and researchers at Business Schools. Excellent all-purpose business and economics meta site. Do not miss their Economic data by country and International business links. Krislyn's Strictly Business Sites An other meta-link to business sites and resources. Very neatly organised. I particularly liked their Finance, Banking and International Business links All Business Network (ABN) Developed by the MarkeTech Group, a web developer company, ABN is more than just a meta-index on Internet Business ressources. It provides connections to key sites but also direct information and business advice. Although I am not usually a fan of drop-down menus, I found ABN quite easy to use and very wide in its subject coverage. Global Information Network for Small and Medium Enterprises Part of the G-7 Information Society Pilot Project "A Global Marketplace for SMEs" the Global Information Network for SMEs is supposed to contribute to the development of an open non-discriminatory environment for enabling SMEs to accessthe information they need and disseminate information on their products, technologies, and so forth, using international information networks. This site has very much improved in the past 6 months and now provide access to information on SMEs all over the world,including Japan, U.S., Canada,France,Germany, Italy, U.K. and the European Commission. InternationalAffairs.com Created by Oxford Analytica, an international consulting firm involved in analysis of worldwide political, economic and social developments, this site provides an interesting mix of news, analysis, key institutional sites which can also be perused on a regional basis. Canadian CEO Despite the somewhat overemphasized focus on Canadian sites, this meta-index of business related sites is very good and has been obviously designed with business practicality in mind. Worldclass Worldclass was developed in 1995 to help world business people make sense of the World Wide Web. It is a guide to the Web's best global business sites, with step-by-step commentary and instant access to 650 top sites from 80 countries. A Supersite. Unfortunately the site has not been updated since November 1997 and its rating has been downgraded from 4 to 3 stars. CEO Express: Executive Gateway to the Internet CEO Express is a "no frills" meta-index providing an extensive list of links categorized into daily news and information, business research, all things Internet, and tools, travel, and fun. The focus is definitely US but it is an excellent value added package. APEC Center for Technology Exchange and Training for SMEs The APEC Center for Technology Exchange and Training for Small and Medium Enterprises (ACTETSME) is intended to support the sustainable development and growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Asia-Pacific region and at the same time make them globally competitive. The Center is envisioned to perform the role of an information clearing house and referral facility. An interesting and very good site which unfortunately suffers from slow loading graphics. Do not miss their link to relevant sites. Emerging Markets Directory This site provides selected links to government, business, academic, and media sites related to the emerging markets of Asia, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. A brief description of each site included in the meta index is provided. A rich site worth exploring. World Network of Chambers of Commerce and Industry For nearly four hundred years organized under the name chambre de commerce, and for more than a millennium preceding that, the worldwide network of Chambers of Commerce and Industry is the world's first, oldest and largest trusted third party organization, most responsible for the development and promotion of international business ties among the trading nations of the earth. Do not miss their global index. SEEP Small Enterprise Education and Promotion Network The SEEP Network is an association of more than 30 North American private development organizations that provides a forum for members to engage in joint research and training, and for the development and dissemination of publications for field use. In existence since 1985, the Network produced materials related to evaluation, credit program design, financial projections, training, and technical assistance, poverty lending, and institutional development. Business Monitor Online Business Monitor Online is a service dedicated to professionals and business people involved in international trade and investment. The site provides global coverage of legislation and regulations, corporate finance, offshore finance, market analysis, economic analysis, risk management, property, consultancy, and worldwide business news. Excellent links to World News . Do not miss their economic and risk assessment country reports and their links to other financial sites. International Small Business Consortium ISBC's mission is to provide a productive and professional Internet / WWW based network to help SMEs communicate about business needs, expand their markets, share their resources, knowledge and experience; and to furnish one reference source for business information, resources and experts from around the world. A very distinctive site, quite oriented towards its users, ie the SMEs themselves. VIBES Virtual International Business and Economic Sources VIBES provides links to sources of international business information. Very good meta-link Everything International Everything International provides links to a wide variety of international business, education, and research internet sites. It is intended as an electronic library of resources for faculty, students and practitioners in the field of international business. Focus is mostly on trade & exports.Excellent travel section. Strategic Road More than just a meta-index, Strategic Road has the ambitious objective of achieving a truly strategic watch function at the crossroads of economic intelligence and online information search. Although presently still under construction, it offers a lot of potential despite some complexities. Do not miss the sections on the economy and on search engines Forum Francophone des Affaires The "Forum Francophone des Affaires"- FFA, an international non governemental organization member of "l'Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie", is a network of enterprises active in francophone markets in more than fifty countries in five continents. In addition to a business directory and a listing of business opportunities, the site offers economic statistics, country specific business news, information on the FFA network and on international organizations supporting the private sector. Overall, an excellent site reflecting an innovative initiative. However it should be noted that the use of sophisticated java scripting and java applets makes the site much less useful for people with older versions of Netscape and a 28.8 modem (slow loading or even no loading at all). Berkeley Business Guide This is one in a series of research guides produced by the Thomas J. Long Business & Economics Library at the Haas School of Business University of California, Berkeley.This list begins with recommended starting points and general reference sources, followed by specific business subheadings. Quite good and well structured guide. Small Business Support and Information Network The Ntsika Small Business Information Network is developed as the premier Web Site in support of small business in South Africa.Its objective is to to enhance LBSCs ( Local Business Service Centres) and MTSCs (Manufacturing Technology Service Centres) by creating an electronic based system which will facilitate both their access to information and networking amongst each other; and to act as a one-stop-shop for individuals and organisations with an interest in small business, be they NGOs, research and academic institutions or one of the growing number of entrepreneurs who are using the Internet as part of their business. Planet Business Planet Business claims to be "the most complete business resource on the planet", the objective being to have a representative in each country in order to become a "Gateway Site to the Worldwide Business Community". From what I have seen, that objective is far from being a reality, many countries (including the United States) having no representative. Even when they have one, it looks a lot like a directory of directories rather than a "complete business resource". Still worth a visit.. and will likely improve. BizWeb BizWeb is an Internet based information server designed to bring product information together in one place, to make shopping quick, easy, and fun. BizWeb brings together company listings and product catalogs from around the Internet into one place. BizWeb wants to be the first stop for shoppers to look for goods, services, and company information. 6853 companies are listed at no charge IOMA Business Resources directory The Institute Of Management and Administration, Information Services for Professionals, a leading publisher of management and business information, has set up this guide to business resources on the Internet, even offering sample articles from many of their newsletters. Interesting site providing quite a variety of business links, some of which I had never seen before. Worth some visits. International Business Online Resource Center The IBOL Resource Center has been developed by the Center for Distance Learning of the Empire State College through a grant from the General Electrics. Interesting Virtual Center which includes sections on country and cross cultural information. Unfortunately it has not been updated for the past year and a half.