When exploring new markets, it is vital to do some "scouting" ahead by doing due diligence on a country's regulations, business practices, economy, environmental concerns, technologies and natural resources available, and social trends.
There are several approaches to Country Analysis. One method or approach is to look for secondary (and primary where possible) data which paint analysis related to Political, Economical, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental scanning. This chart illustrates a quick way to locate data based on one of those scanning factors. Below are some of those resources with some screenshots of ways to search.
The chart below displays databases with PESTLE information that BIS subscribes to annually. The chart provides the broad topics which are available within each database. To access the database desired, click on the database title to take you to the database. If you are off campus, you will be required to type your Illinois Net ID and password first for authentication.
| Database | Political | Economic | Social | Technological | Legal | Environmental | Company Reports | Country Reports | Industry Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Source Ultimate | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| EIU | ✔Structure ✔Stability ✔Internatonal Relations ✔Corruption |
✔GDP ✔Growth ✔Inflation ✔Exchange rates ✔Forecast |
✔Population ✔Demographics ✔Culture |
✔Policy ✔Regulation |
✔ | ✔Country Data | |||
| Emerging Markets Information Services | ✔Outlooks ✔Corruption |
✔GDP ✔Growth ✔Trade ✔Exchange Rates |
✔Population ✔Demographics ✔Tourism |
✔ | ✔Policy ✔Regulation |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Passport | ✔ |
✔Aggregated data from IMF, World Bank, ministry/statistics ✔Trade |
✔Culture ✔Consumer ✔Education |
✔ | ✔Legal services | ✔Natural Resources | ✔ | ✔Country data | ✔ |
| PRS | ✔Player to watch ✔Regime scenario |
✔GDP ✔Investment/ Trade ✔Forecasts ✔Inflation rates |
✔Geography ✔Labor conditions |
✔Policies ✔Legal Framework |
✔ | ||||
| Statista | ✔Political Environment | ✔Economic Conditions ✔Trade & Investment ✔GDP |
✔Consumer Behavior ✔Population ✔Human Development Index |
✔Digital Infrastructure ✔FinTech ✔Telecommunication |
✔Policy | ✔ | ✔ | ✔Country data | ✔ |
| World Bank's Doing Business 2020 Report | ✔Role of government | ✔International Trade | ✔Regulation | ✔Country data | ✔Electricity |
Developed by Steven Altman and Philip Bastian of NYU's Stern School of Business, the DHL Global Connectedness Index (CGI) aims to provide a comprehensive account of world's top 140 countries' connections in terms of cross-border trade, capital, information (telecommunications, publications, Internet), people (immigrants, students, tourism) and stocks accumulated through 2020. These countries encompass the world's GDP (99%) and population (95%).
The Index of rankings is contained in a lengthy 250 page report, chock-full of insights gathered from various data sources, such as the United Nations, IMF, World Economic Forum, Heritage Freedom Index, Euromonitor, Telogeography.com, and Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index. Starting on page 86 are the country profiles, organized alphabetically.
A sample country profile and how to examine it is supplied below.
This index differs in that it does not have a political bias, unlike the Heritage Foundations' Index of Economic Freedom, published by a well-known US conservative think-tank (but considered an important barometer). The report utilizes many authoritative data sources.
Note: the study was funded by a logistics company, DHL.
To find information: first select a country or multiple countries; then click on company analysis, industry analysis, or country analysis tab; and type the name within search box.
The results will show a profile of the country. You may search through the tabs at the top of the profile or go to the REPORTS tab, and click 'Generate Country Reports'.
To locate statistics, look under Search (in the upper left corner of the Home/Welcome page). You can generate tables of statistics on Consumer, Industrial, and Service Markets by clicking on the appropriate link. The next step requires you to select among several countries. You can also use the toolbar at the top of the page to explore by Industries, Countries, and Consumers. If you need a table about Food Shopping Habits in Croatia, this is the resource for you.
For example, to search for industry statistics, go to 'Search Statistics' section; select 'industries'; choose a industry you are interested in; click go .
For database help, click here.
Provides access to statistics and studies gathered by market researchers, trade organizations, scientific publications, and government sources on over 600 industries.
Type the name of the country in the search box and the press 'Statista Search"
Once you see the search results, scroll to 'Industry & Country Reports' on the left hand side of the screen.
The results will show you all the country reports for the country you are searching for and you are able to download the report as a PDF.
SocialProgress.org is a free, open access resource that measures the social and environmental aspects of progress for individual countries. Their interface allows you to compare countries in categories like basic human needs, foundations of wellbeing, and opportunity.
