USC International Business Databases
- BCC Research This link opens in a new windowAll reports are "global" but contain regional analysis with some individual country data.
- EIU Viewpoint (Economic Intelligence Unit) This link opens in a new windowContains Country Reports, Country Commerce Reports and more from the Economist Intelligence Unit.
- EMIS This link opens in a new windowProvides data and analysis for 168 emerging markets from trusted global and local sources. Includes coverage of countries, industries and companies in the emerging economies of Africa, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, Europe and Central Asia.
- Global Road Warrior This link opens in a new windowBusiness travel guide and country background information.
- IBISWorld This link opens in a new windowDetailed market research and analysis on over 700 U.S. industries as well as Global Industry Reports, China Industry Reports and Business Environment Reports.
- Passport This link opens in a new windowPEST analyses evaluate external opportunities and threats for a business, looking at Political, Economic, Social and Technological factors. Search by "PEST analysis" and country to find PEST analyses for 210 countries under the Analysis tab.
- ProQuest Statistical Insight This link opens in a new windowOffers three major sources (federal, state and international) of statistical data tables, publications and links.
- US Commercial Service Market Research LibraryInternational market research and country commercial guides available from the US Government. Registration is required for academic users.
- USA Trade Online This link opens in a new windowDescribes the use of Trade Stats Express and USA Trade Online for official US government import and export statistics.
- World Bank Worldwide Development Indicators This link opens in a new windowThe World Bank's World Development Indicators provides direct access to more than 700 development indicators, with time series for 208 countries and 18 country groups from 1960 to present.
Public Websites for Country Information
- Bank for International SettlementsCentral Bank websites and Central Bank Research Hub
- CIA World Factbookbasic information on issues for 266 countries (history, people, government, economy, energy, geography, environment, etc)
- Economist - SearchSearch The Economist website by country for articles published about them.
- Global InsightsMichigan State database that provides international business and trade information on over 200 countries, the US, approximately two dozen industry sectors, and many of the world’s trade blocs.
- Grant Thornton International Business Reportinsights into international business based on the world’s leading survey of mid-market companies.
- International Monetary Fund - Country ReportsEconomic and banking news and profiles
- International Trade CentreData and analysis from an organization that supports small businesses in developing countries
- Legatum Prosperity Indexannual ranking of 167 countries which uses 300 indicators to measure the current state of prosperity in each country and how it has changed over the past decade.
- LexMundi Country Guidesbackground information for corporate counsels on working in 100+ countries, compiled by local independent law firms.
- OECDone of the world's largest and most reliable sources of global statistical, economic and social data.
- Office of the U.S. Trade RepresentativeCountry specific data on trade, exports, and investments.
- PKF - Doing Business incountry reports published by a global network of accountancy firms.
- U.S. Census Bureau: International Statistical AgenciesNational Statistical Offices by country
- U.S. international trade statistics - export.govcurrent and historical U.S. goods trade data
- U.S. State Department - Bilateral Relations Fact Sheetsreports on US relations with other countries
- UNDP - Human Development ReportsReports, Indices & Data by Country on Human Development (e.g. Health, Education, Income, Gender, Poverty, Sustainability and Inequality
- World BankSocial and Economic statistics and special reports.
- World Bank Business Ready (B-READY)A new report benchmarking the business environment and investment climate in most economies worldwide.
- World Bank Doing Business archivenow discontinued, Doing Business measured business regulations for local firms in 190 countries.
- World Economic ForumSearch for country insights, global trade analysis, global risk, and other international topic reports.
Books & E-Books
Search USC Libraries Catalog for "KOREA or SOUTH KOREA AND BUSINESS" or "KOREA or SOUTH KOREA AND CULTURE" to locate books on these topics. Try other search terms as well. Note: If a book is checked out, it can take up to two weeks to recall. You can also find full-text books online through eBrary.
Economic Miracle Market South Korea: a blueprint for economic growth in developing nations by Call Number: EBOOKPublication Date: 2016
The Oxford Handbook of Asian Business Systems by Call Number: EBOOKPublication Date: 2014Hard copy available in LIPA HD70 .A78 O94 2014. Chapter 11: South Korea
The Birth of Korean Cool: how one nation is conquering the world through pop culture by Call Number: Leavey DS923.23 .H66 2014Publication Date: 2014- Passport Korea: your pocket guide to Korean business, customs & etiquette byCall Number: EBOOKPublication Date: 2009
Global Business Etiquette: a guide to international communication and customs by Call Number: EBOOKPublication Date: 2012
USC Article Databases
Search for articles written about business in a specific country in ABI/Inform, Factiva and Lexis/Nexis Academic. Some possible topics are "COUNTRY NAME" or INDUSTRY TRENDS and Name of Country" Use database search tools (Search Builder, Advanced Search or Search Options) to limit by location (geography or region). Search for articles written about business in locally published publications listed under media.
- ABI/INFORM Collection This link opens in a new windowArticles from leading business journals, magazines, trade publications and newspapers including the Wall Street Journal and much more.
- EBSCO Business Source Complete This link opens in a new windowBusiness news database. Search COUNTRY NAME by selecting 'SU Subject Terms' from drop down menu
- Factiva This link opens in a new windowGood source of current news. You can limit your search to publications by country by going to the Search Builder then limit your search by "Region"
- Nexis Uni (formerly LEXIS/NEXIS Academic) This link opens in a new windowAnother good source of international business news, go to Power Search, then limit search by "Geography"
Local News Sources
- The ChosunilboDaily news from Korea; in English
- Hangung.com - Korea Economic DailyIn Korean
- Korea DailyTop Korean-American newspaper; in Korean
- Korea HeraldIn English; links to other Korean Herald publications
- Korea JoongAng DailyU.S.-based newspaper published in association with the New York Times
- Korea TimesIn English
- The Seoul TimesIn English
Government Information & Statistics
The web links to South Korea's government ministries are highly unstable; users may have to search Google separately if these links do not open.
- Korea.netLinks to Government, Politics, News and Culture. Managed by the Korean Culture & Information Service
- Statistics KoreaIn English
Country Risk Reports
- AM Best Country Risk - Public WebsiteAM Best is a full-service credit rating organization serving the insurance industry. Select country to download reports.
- Coface - Public WebsiteCoface is a trade receivables consulting firm and provides risk analysis by country.
- EBSCO Business Source Complete This link opens in a new windowIf you search under the Publications tab for POLITICAL RISK YEARBOOK, you will find links to the PRS Risk Reports for countries around the world.
- Global Risks ReportPublished annually by the World Economic Forum. Tracks global risk perceptions among world leaders across economic, environmental, geopolitical, societal, and technological factors
- International Institute for Management Development – World Competitiveness Rankingscomprehensive annual report and worldwide reference point on the competitiveness of countries
- Allianz Trade Country Reportseconomic analysis and risk ratings from a leading trade credit insurance company.
- Nexis Uni (formerly LEXIS/NEXIS Academic) This link opens in a new windowRisk guides from PRS Group International can be accessed via LexisNexis Academic on the Easy Search page. In the lower left corner, you will see a box called RESEARCH COUNTRIES. Select your country from the dropdown box and then select PRS RISK GUIDE & SERVICE and a date range (6 months is recommended) and click GO. Scan through the results for reports specifically on your country. Not every country will have a risk report.
Country Information - Public Websites
- Asian Development Bank: Asian Development OutlookA series of reports and papers covering the region. Keyword search "South Korea" to retrieve all relevant content.
- Economist: South KoreaCurrent news
- South Korea Country Commercial GuideData collected by the U.S. Commercial Service providing trade counseling, market intelligence, trade promotion opportunities and trade advocacy
- Index for Economic Freedom: South KoreaIssued annually by the Heritage Foundation
- World Bank: Republic of Korea (South)Links to multiple World Bank resources and publications inculcating 'Doing Business In" and Country Overview and Facts & Statistics.
Other Sources and Websites
- ASEAN - Korea CentreInter-Asian council to promote trade, culture and tourism
- Korean Development InstituteEconomic think tank See Publications tab for annual Economic Outlook, Monthly Economic Trends and other special topics.
- Korea Exchange - KRXKorean Stock Exchange
- OEC: South Korea Trade StatisticsData from the Observatory of Economic Complexity at MIT
- U.S. Foreign Trade: Trade in Goods with South KoreaMonthly data going back to 1985
- Republic of Korea Country Starter PackA 2015 guide from PWC
- Doing Business in South Korea2018 guide from DFK International
- South Korea 50, 2021Annual rankings of the most valuable South Korean brands provide by Brand Finance
- How's Life in Korea?Country results from the OECD's Better Life Index tracking 11 different quality of life metrics