LibGuides: Global Business (Callahan Library): Websites

Selected Websites

A list of links to free websites with information relevant to global business.

Business Ready (B-READY) Launching Spring 2024 - Business Ready (B-READY) is the World Bank’s new flagship report benchmarking the business environment and investment climate in most economies worldwide. The report assesses the regulatory framework and public services directed at firms, and the efficiency with which regulatory framework and public services are combined in practice. Also contains the Doing Business legacy reports.
Coface: Country Risk and Economic Research Features “160 country evaluations drawn up on the basis of macroeconomic, financial and political data. Regularly updated, they provide an estimate of the average credit risk on a country’s businesses.” (from Coface website)
Commisceo Global Discover cultural information on over 80 countries. Each country guide covers a number of key topics such as language, society, culture, food, beliefs, business practices and social etiquette as well as much more.
Country Commercial Guides Reports on market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and customs prepared by US Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department, and other US agencies' professionals.
Fortune Global 500 This is a handy site for identifying large global companies and the countries that they are headquartered in.
GlobalEdge
IMF - International Monetary Fund
International Tax Guide
more...less...
Individual countries guide.
International Trade Administration U.S. Dept. of Commerce. Site promotes trade and investment, and ensures fair trade and compliance with trade laws and agreements.
Traveler's Health: CDC Select a destination to see health warnings and recommended vaccinations.
Travel Warnings Current travel advisories from the State Department.
UNCTAD: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Established in 1964 as a permanent intergovernmental body United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is the main authority of the General Assembly in the sphere of trade and development. Its purpose is promotion of trade and development, particularly in developing countries.
United Nations - Development Business "United Nations Development Business (UNDB) is the official platform for consulting, contracting, and export opportunities. UNDB connects consultants, contractors, and suppliers to development projects worldwide by organizing procurement information to make it easily accessible and useful. UNDB is the most trusted source of procurement information from development banks, United Nations agencies, and government institutions."
World Bank Data and reports on developing countries.
World Economic Forum "The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas."

Country Profiles

The guidelines on this page are designed to assist you in evaluating websites for your research. In addition to these guidelines, the library has provided a list of websites useful for locating background information and statistics.

Country Profiles

BBC Country Profiles Country profiles providing history, political and economic background.
Country & Areas Fact sheets (US State Department) Some pages have more or less information; always a link to the U.S. Bilateral Relations Factsheet, which gives a brief, historical overview of U.S. economic and political relations with the nation.
Country Commercial Guides (US International Trade Association) Country commercial guides from export.gov.
GlobalEDGE A wealth of business, cultural, and statistical information put out by the Center for International Business at Michigan State University.
The World Bank - Countries Profiles of World Bank member countries; include news and blogs, data, photos and information on current World Bank projects and programs.
World Factbook (CIA) Provides basic information about most countries, including geography, the people, government, economic conditions, transportation and communication data, and the military.

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Evaluating Websites

When using websites you will need to determine whether or not a particular resource fits the requirements of your assignment.

To evaluate a website, use the following criteria:

Authority

1. What type of organization published this site? (.edu, .gov, .org, .com).
2. Who is the author, publisher or source? Is there contact information?
3. Is the author qualified to write on this topic?

Accuracy

1. Where does the information come from? Has it been reviewed (Peer reviewed)?
2. Is the information supported by evidence? Can you verify it in another source?
3. Are there spelling, grammar or typing errors?

Currency

1. When was the page created and/or updated?
2. Do the links on the page work?
3. Does your topic require current information?

Relevance:

1. Does the information relate to your topic?
2. Who is the intended audience? Is the level too elementary or advanced for your needs?
3. Do the links lead to other reputable sites?

Purpose

1. Always ask, why was this written and for whom.
2. Is the purpose of this site to teach, inform, entertain, sell or persuade?
3. Look for links that say "Who we are? or "About us".
4. Is the information factual, opinion or propaganda, objective or impartial?
5. Are there political, religious, cultural, ideological or personal biases?
6. Is advertising clearly differentiated from the informational content?

For an excellent practice tool visit GCF Practice evaluating a webpage.

For a more in depth discussion to learn how to interpret and evaluate information online, whether you're reading an article, watching a video, or using social media visit the GCF Digital Media Literacy Tutorial.

International News

A list of links to free credible websites with international news.

My Accounts

Currency Calculator

A link to the free OANDA online currency converter.

OANDA’s Currency Converter
OANDA’s Currency Converter allows you to check the latest foreign exchange average bid/ask rates and convert all major world currencies. OANDA Rates™ are foreign exchange rates compiled from leading market data contributors.