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Title:
The Business and Economy Internet Resource Handbook
Review:
In this handbook, Phil Bradley has gathered together contributions from thirteen practicing information professionals, all of whom have fine credentials and lots of experience in the field of business information.
The handbook is a good starting point for those new to tracking down sources of business information on the Internet and at the same time provides sound overviews on the topics covered for those needing in-depth reference guides. A note of caution - the handbook is really aimed at the UK market, so there is little emphasis on international resources, although a number of chapters do suggest some global, European and US websites.
Chapters One to Three cover the basics of Internet searching, from the different ways search engines function to issues concerning coverage, source, quality and reliability of information. Chapter Three details the different ways of keeping up-to-date with ever changing web resources by using bots, mailing lists and newsgroups. Where possible, tools with a strong business bias are recommended. Most of the information in the first three chapters contains nothing new for experienced researchers, but the tables at the end of Chapter Two provide listings of UK search engines, meta search engines and non-English language search engines, which are extremely useful for professionals and novices alike.
The real meat in this handbook is in chapters four to fourteen. Each of these chapters is really an individual subject guide and can be used as such. If you are looking for in-depth subject guides for Internet resources on accountancy, insurance, company information, the UK government, small and medium sized enterprises, market research, patents, information technology, engineering and the food industry, then this book is for you. Each chapter is clearly laid out, following the same format and concludes with a list of urls previously mentioned. This saves searching back through the text for that elusive url!
The inclusion of a chapter on patent resources is very welcome. Patents are an extremely useful source of business information as well as competitive intelligence and are too often ignored. Two appendices describe the patent granting process and the pros/cons of using the Internet for patent information, so for purchasers of this book, there's no excuse for avoiding patents in future!
If you are looking for a chapter on economics resources, then you will be disappointed. A quick check in the index reveals no entries for GDP, inflation rates or interest rates, yet these are all basic economic indicators. Some of this economic information can be found on Her Majesty's Treasury website , which is mentioned in the chapter on UK government and the chapter on market research also draws attention to the websites of the French, German and Italian National Statistics Offices, all of which provide economic overviews. However, a chapter on economics resources would seem infinitely more relevant than one on the food industry, especially in a handbook with the word "economy" in its title.
Overall, the Business and Economy Internet Resource Handbook would be a useful addition to reference libraries and corporate information centers, but at GBP 60, it's a tad too expensive for individuals with an interest in this subject.
Free Pint Reviewer:
Helen Clegg is Market Analyst with RR Donnelley & Sons Company Europe, in Amsterdam. She holds an M.Sc. in Library and Information Studies and has worked for a number of organizations in Europe including Bain & Company, BNFL plc and AT Kearney Ltd. Helen is a member of the Special Libraries Association and has recently compiled a list of Internet marketing resources for its Business & Finance Division. Helen can be contacted at Helen.Clegg@rrd.com. She writes here in a personal capacity.
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