If you want a one-stop shop for government reports try the BC Legislative Library catalogue.
Finding The Best Online Information Is Tough
In this section we have gathered some of the most reliable government and employment websites for you to use in your research. BC Information:
Canadian Websites:
British Columbia Technology Industry Association BCTIA is an industry-funded organization committed to growing British Columbia's technology industry. Use the BCTIA E-Library to find videos, reports and events specific to the technology industry in B.C.
Start here: BCTIA Start-up Toolkit: The Nuts and Bolts of Launching a Tech Start-up
Start here: Doing Business in BC
Start here: Top 10 Canadian ICT Predictions for 2012
2012 TechTalentBC Labour Study
BCIC Business Case Library
A good collection of business cases about BC technology companies, highlighting their achievements, business challenges and best practices. Very useful to learn about BC business practices.
Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada
Provides market research, industry statistics, licensing information for intellectual property, and information about doing business internationally. The Industry Canada site features interactive applications such as customizable trade reports, cost calculators, and online business planning guides. You can also search broad Canadian industry statistics.
For example: Canadian Industry Statistics
- Definition Information and Cultural Industries (NAICS 51)
- Definition of Telecommunications (NAICS 517)
- Spectrum Management and Telecommunications
The Daily - Statistics Canada
The premier source for Canadian statistical information, including census information. Search 'The Daily' releases by subject to identify corresponding census tables, latest news, and publications. Similarly, you can browse by data source, including surveys & questionnaires relevant to your market research, which also link to census tables, latest news and publications.
Start here: Information and communications technology - Telecommunications industries
Start here: Software Development and Computer Services (2011)
Job Bank - Government of Canada
The leading source for labour market information. The site is designed to assist individuals who are searching for work or looking to make career decisions but can also be useful to gage employment trends in an industry. Try using their search portal to explore careers by occupation or review the latest job market trends in your industry.
Province of Alberta - Ministry of Labour
Provides information on economic development, labour, trades and apprenticeships as well as industry descriptions and data from the Province of Alberta.
Start here: Industry Profiles
PriceWaterhouse Coopers Canada (PwC) | Global consultancy firm that produces reports on the state of various industries.
Start here: Technology Industry
Science.gc.ca - Science and Technology for Canadians
The Government of Canada's official science and technology portal, featuring a wide variety of quality, free, Canadian science resources in an easy-to-navigate format.
US and International Websites:
Small Business Administration: Free Small Business Data
This site is created and managed by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) and provides a list of free sources of information that you can use to obtain data about markets in the US.
Start here: Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP)
CareerOneStop
A good way to research trends in the US labour market. Provides detailed labour information by state.
Start here: TechExpo: The Online Exposition for High Technology
Start here: Software Publishers Industry Profile
Start here: Semiconductors and Related Device Manufacturing Industry Profile
HighBeam Business: Industry Reports
These industry reports provide statistics, trends, market analysis, and industry news on a wide range of industries. HighBeam Business is operated by The Gale Group, a well-known and respected publisher of reference directories and databases for libraries and academia, and it is part of the larger information and publishing firm Cengage Learning.
Start here: Computer Programming Services Market Report
Start here: (2012 Feb 14). Where the jobs are: Higher technology manufacturing. China Weekly News.
Global Statistics
- OECD. Communications Outlook (biennial publication)
- OECD. Information Technology Outlook (biennial publication)
- OECD. Science Technology and Industry Scoreboard (biennial publication)
- UN Data. World Telecommunications/ ICT Indicators Data
- UNCTAD Handbook of Statistics. Information and Communication Technology (click on Information Economy, then click on ICT, view production and trade statistics)
- World Bank. Science & Technology Data
MarketWatch - Industry Analyzer | The Industries section contains current data on Dow Jones Industry Sectors. Aggregate data as well as company-specific data is available.
Start here: Technology Industry List
Reportlinker.com
ReportLinker is a professional search engine which gives you access to an exclusive database of 1.2 million market reports and counting. Use this search engine to find official Industry reports, Company profiles and Market Statistics. Please note: information listed on this website may be very expensive but it may be possible to get access to specific reports elsewhere.
globalEDGE
A comprehensive business source by the Broad College of Business of Michigan State University. It includes a wide range global studies on industries worldwide and marcroeconomic analysis for each country.
Firsthand | A free source of industry information. Use the Industry Profiles to research growing industries and best industries by major, and Company Rankings and Profiles to find news, company information, and industry-specific sample professions. Basic monthly membership is free and offers access to blogs, discussion forums, and job listings.
Start here: Computers Profile
Start here: Semiconductors and Components Profile
Start here: Business Software and Services Profile
Start here: Communications Technology Profile
First Research Industry Profiles
How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, or faculty you can access many of these reports through ABI/INFORM and/or Business Market Research Collection (Proquest).
Covers over 900 industry segments. Updated on a quarterly basis, these industry profiles contain critical analysis, statistics and forecasts to help you engage key prospects, coach key clients, and deepen customer relationships. You can search for reports by NAICS, SIC or keyword or browse by category.
Start here: Technology Sector Industry Profile
You might want to jump ahead to the news websites listed in the next section of this Accelerator Guide for more resources. News websites can often be good sources of industry, competitive and consumer information.