Innovation and Project Management
Library Resources Internet ResourcesOff-campus access
The University Libraries offer a wide variety of resources to assist you with researching various aspects of business. When looking at the various aspects of project management and innovation in business, nearly all the resources available through the library can be used. The purpose of this page is to introduce some of these resources and provide some tips on how you can more effectively and efficiently search those resources.
In addition, a very few of the millions of internet resources are listed here, along with some tips that may be helpful as you search the free internet. Finally, there is also information about off campus access to library resources and some of the services that you may find helpful as EMBA students, whether you attend in Scottsdale or Tucson.
A recorded version of the presentation, containing basic information about searching several of the databases listed on this page is available at the EMBA presentation.
Databases
Business databases can provide access to articles, company information, financial information or data about markets, consumers and industries. Some databases provide more than one type of information while others are focused on a single information type.
When looking for information on new products or services, make a point of searching in Trade Publications, available through several of the resources linked below. Trade publications are those writen by people working in a field for others in the field - one example is Women's Wear Daily for those working in the apparel field. Because trade publications are often published on a daily or weekly schedule and because they are focused on current trends in a specific field, new innovations or companies will often show up in these before general interest newspapers or research journals.
The two primary article databases for business research at the UA are ABI/Inform and Business Source Complete:
ABI/Inform |
Business Source Complete |
Access to scholarly articles, trade journals and popular magazine in business, management, accounting, finance, marketing, and economics News Articles Company/Industry Information |
|
Full text access to the Wall Street Journal (Eastern edition) Dissertations EIU ViewsWire |
Market Research Reports SWOT Analyses Industry Profiles |
While one of these may become the primary subscription database that you use to search for articles, remember that the journals covered in each vary, so it is worthwhile to check the other as well. For example, Business Source Complete is an excellent resource for market research reports, SWOT analysis reports, industry profiles and product reviews, while ABI/Inform provides unique online access to some items, such as the Wall Street Journal and the EIU ViewsWire.
MarketResearch.Com: This database provides access to market research reports on a wide variety of industries and services. This is an excellent resource that can assist with identifying potential markets and services for new products or for innovations to existing products.
Gartner, Inc: Provides research and analysis on the IT industry. When you are looking at IT projects and innovations, Gartner is an essential resource to check. Note: you must have a UA NetID established to access the Gartner, Inc. reports.
News Sources:
News sources are a good place to look for information on companies or industries that may not be as well covered in other sources. Besides those listed here, additional resources may be found by going to Article & Database Searching, and selecting News/Newspapers from the drop-down menu.
Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe: Full-text articles from thousands of news sources, legal reviews and business information, including Hoover's company profiles on public and private companies.
Business NewsBank: Provides in-depth company, industry, product and executive news for public and private companies. Full text covering includes hundreds of regional and local business publications, such as Inside Tucson Business.
Regional Business News:Full text for over 50 business journals, newspapers, and newswires from around the region.
Other Resources:
UA Library Catalog: The library catalog is worth searching, even if you attend classes at an off-site location. With Document Delivery (see bottom section of this page), you still have access to articles the library has in print or in book chapters that will help you.
Internet Resources
Associations and Organizations
American Project Management Forum
Association for Project Management (UK)
These are just a few of the organizations related specifically to project management that have information available on the internet. Depending on your topic or industry, associations with interests in that industry may have information available, including case studies or assistance. If you don't know whether there is an association for the industry you are working with, try searching the Encyclopedia of Associations (CatCard required for access) for national or international organizations related to your industry.
Off Campus Access
Unless otherwise specified, all the databases listed on this page are available from on or off campus. If off campus, you may use the UA VPN software or login using your last name and CatCard number. If you are on campus and connected to the campus network your access should be seamless.
Among the services offered for students are Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery
Interlibrary Loan allows you to access an item that the UA Libraries do not own. These can include books, articles or other items. An electronic form is submitted and the library works to obtain the item for your use. Not all items may be available for ILL from other libraries. In the case of journal articles, those articles are usually supplied to you in an electronic format via the ILL system on the library website. Books ordered through ILL typically take about 11 days, while article typically take 4 days.
Document Delivery is specifically for items owned by the UA libraries. If the library owns a physical copy of a book or journal and that item is not available electronically, the library will scan the article or a chapter of the book and provide you with an electronic copy. There is no charge for this service. If you need an entire book delivered, the physcial book can be delivered to you, but there is a charge for this service. Scanned book chapters and articles will be available within 24 hours of the request.
Class page created and maintained by Laura Carscaddon, September 28, 2007.