LibGuides: Sustainable Business & Subsistence Markets: Doing Business

Business Climate

EIU Viewpoint: Country Analysis Advanced This link opens in a new window
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) provides quarterly analysis and forecasts of the political, economic and business environment in more than 180 countries. Included in each country report is a detailed review and analysis of political and economic events, a compilation of the latest economic indicators as well as a 12-24 month political outlook and economic projection.
Emerging Markets Information Service (EMIS) This link opens in a new window
Emerging Markets collects and produces full-text news articles, financial statements, company information, industry analyses, equity quotes, macroeconomic statistics, and market-specific information on more than 80 emerging economies.

Transparency International
Works to expose and make transparent corruption in international business practices. Has a section on Africa.
Worldwide Governance Indicators project
The Worldwide Governance Indicators reports governance indicators for 213 economies over the period 1996–2010, for six dimensions of governance: Voice and Accountability, Political Stability and Absence of Violence, Government Effectiveness, Regulatory Quality, Rule of Law, and Control of Corruption.
YaleGlobal Online
YaleGlobal Online is the flagship publication of the Yale Center for the Study of Globalization. The magazine explores the implications of the growing interconnectedness of the world by drawing on the rich intellectual resources of the Yale University community, scholars from other universities, and public- and private-sector experts from around the world.
Doing Business - World Bank Group
The Doing Business Project monitors national, subnational, and regional business regulations in 183 economies around the globe that are relevant to domestic small and medium-sized companies.

Country Reports on Economic Policy and Trade Practices

Country Reports on Economic Policy and Trade Development
Issued by the U.S. Department of State. The reports, available from 1993 to 2001, provide comprehensive analysis of economic policies and trade practices of countries (The reports were abolished in 2002).

Employment & Workers Rights

Fair Labor Association
FLA is a collaborative effort of universities, civil society organizations and socially responsible companies dedicated to protecting workers’ rights around the world.
International Labour Organization
The ILO is the international organization responsible for drawing up and overseeing international labour standards. It is the only 'tripartite' United Nations agency that brings together representatives of governments, employers and workers to jointly shape policies and programmes promoting Decent Work for all. This unique arrangement gives the ILO an edge in incorporating 'real world' knowledge about employment and work.

Environmental Regulation

Australia Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
The department is responsible for implementing the Australian Government's policies to protect the environment and heritage, and to promote a sustainable way of life.
Environmental Protection Agency
The mission of EPA is to protect human health and the environment.
Environmental Regulations - U.S. Small Business Association
EU Environmental Policy & Regulation
Regulations.gov
Regulations.gov is the clearinghouse for U.S. government regulations and related documents.

Euromoney

Euromoney
Euromoney covers companies and economic situations around the world. The Regions and Countries area of the web site is a good place to find recent articles on events and issues in particular countries, but to search there, you must first apply for a user name and password. Each September the magazine publishes a list of the world's countries ranked by level of risk. This list is particularly useful because it identifies and defines key components of risk.

Global Economic Prospects

Global Economic Prospects - World Bank
The World Bank's twice-yearly Global Economic Prospects examines growth trends for the global economy and how they affect developing countries. The reports include three-year forecasts for the global economy and long-term global scenarios which look ten years into the future. Topical annexes in this online publication cover financial markets, trade, commodities, and inflation.

IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook

The World Competitiveness Yearbook by IMD International
Call Number: Q337.021 W893
Main Stacks
Most recent year in Reference

Provides a multi-dimensional approach to benchmark a country's performance to global economies. Analyzes and ranks each nation's ability to provide an environment that sustains the competitiveness of enterprises. Divided into four main categories: Economic Performance, Government Efficiency, Business Efficiency, and Infrastructure. Helpful graphs show rankings in terms of population, GDP, and region. Detailed explanation of methods is provided.

Intellectual Property & Patents

Intellectual Property Office of Singapore
The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), a statutory board under the Ministry of Law since April 2001, is the lead government agency that advises on and administers intellectual property (IP) laws, promotes IP awareness and provides the infrastructure to facilitate the development of IP in Singapor
Intellectual Property Rights in the European Union
International Intellectual Property Institute (IIPI)
IIPI is the foremost organization for providing education and guidance about intellectual property (IP) rights to leader and innovators in developing countries. Since 1998, the nonprofit organization has worked with nations to create jobs and increase competitiveness through the use of IP rights. IIPI has also helped stem the tide of counterfeit goods into the US and reduce patent infringement and unfair competition.
Unites States Patent and Trademark Office
The USPTO advises the President of the United States, the Secretary of Commerce, and U.S. Government agencies on intellectual property (IP) policy, protection, and enforcement; and promotes the stronger and more effective IP protection around the world.
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the United Nations agency dedicated to the use of intellectual property (patents, copyright, trademarks, designs, etc.) as a means of stimulating innovation and creativity.

Sustainability Trade Organizations

Alliance for Environmental Technology
"The Alliance for Environmental Technology (AET) is an international association of chemical manufacturers dedicated to improving the environmental performance of the pulp and paper industry.
Climate Savers Computing Initiative
The Climate Savers Computing Initiative is a nonprofit group of eco-conscious consumer, business and conservation organizations. Started in 2007, the organization is dedicated to improving the power efficiency and reducing the energy consumption of computers.
Environmental Technology Center (ETC)
"ETC supports the development of technology-based environmental solutions to the management and treatment of hazardous waste to better protect human health and the environment. ETC seeks solutions that consider both short-term and long-range environmental and economic impacts and supports the development of environmental standards that are protective, practical and based on sound science."
Natural Products Association
Founded in 1936, the Natural Products Association is the nation’s largest and oldest nonprofit organization dedicated to the natural products industry.
Organic and Sustainable Industry Standards (OASIS)
OASIS is a 501(c)6 Mutual Benefit Trade Association designed to represent the concerns and goals of companies that make sustainable and organic products for the health and beauty industry.
Organic Trade Association (OTA)
The OTA was founded in 1984 by organic producers and handlers as the Organic Foods Production Association of North America (OFPANA). Its mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public, and the economy.
Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC)
Founded in 1980 by major building trade associations as the Passive Solar Industries Council, today the SBIC is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance the design, affordability, energy performance, and environmental soundness of buildings in the U.S.
Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)
SFI accredits third party auditors to certify forest land owners, land management companies and forest products companies according to SFI standards.
World Business Council for Sustainable Development
The WBCSD is a CEO-led organization of forward-thinking companies that galvanizes the global business community to create a sustainable future for business, society and the environment.