3 Company Information

Company information

Most real-world business research scenarios start with an open-ended question without a predetermined goal in mind. It is rare for there to be a correct answer to a business research question. Successful research ensures your business decisions are grounded in factual reality and improve their chance of success.

Types of company information

Researching information about a company involves accessing a variety of data from several free and library databases. This data is often found in annual reports for shareholders, publicly available websites, or detailed reports written by an external agency.

Library databases

Library databases are recommended for locating accurate and comprehensive financial data and industry analysis that is reported in a consistent format throughout. Library databases are key for finding reports, financial data and SWOT analysis.

DatAnalysis Premium

DatAnalysis Premium is available for all Western Sydney University students and staff at no cost.

WSU Library homepage, type “DatAnalysis Premium” into the searchbox.

Select the DatAnalysis Premium program from the search results. You will be asked for student login details.

Datanalysis Premium video here

Other library databases include:

Background information

Before you start searching for information on your company, you’ll need to determine if the company is public or private, and whether it is Australian or International.

Public companies are listed (listed company) on the relevant stock exchange. In Australia it is the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX). They are required to release detailed information quarterly. This makes them easier to research. Check the ASX list here to see if the company is public (updated daily).

Private Companies are not listed (unlisted company) on a stock exchange. They are not required to release information about themselves publicly. This makes them more challenging to research. You may be able to find information on the company website, industry reports, and trade publications. ^[1]

Annual reports and financial information

Most financial information is publicly available on the company’s website. Go to the company’s homepage and look for “About us” or “Investor information” pages within the site.

Go to the company’s homepage and look for “About us” or “Investor information” pages within the site.

• Explore any foundation statements, history, or mission statements.
• Where are they based?
• Are they an Australian company or international?
• What products do they sell?
• Which industries do they operate within?
• Who are their consumers?
• How do they distinguish themselves from their competitors?
• What is the ownership structure of the company?
• Are they a subsidiary of a parent company?

News articles and websites

Business environments change rapidly and newspapers provide current and historical information including analysis of corporate decisions and their impact on the wider world. Use news articles to build up an awareness of current events and the company’s business operating environment.

Remember that news articles and social media are not peer reviewed by academics like articles. They are usually or often edited, and opinion based and should not be taken as factual or reliable. In our age of GenAI you need to critically assess all information sources and especially includes news and social media.

A 2024 report by WSU researchers Online Misinformation in Australia found most adults encountered misinformation online in the past week and 97% of adults have limited skills to verify information online.1

WSU library subscribes to most of the major newspaper platforms and article databases. Search the library search-box using the company name, or add additional keywords as you develop your focus. Read the News and media sources for Business Research chapter for how to access and optimise your search for news on a company.

Social media

Social media is particularly useful for understanding marketing, advertising, and cross-promotions that affect your company. It is updated very quickly and has a global reach. Here are just a few hints:

• Locate the social media pages for your company and scroll for any recent announcements, press releases, or innovations.
• Search what the company is posting as well as what is being said about the company.
• Search across all emerging and existing social media platforms.

Top tip! Use your critical thinking skills and fact-check social media whenever you use in a student or professional setting.

Academic journal articles

Academic journals will provide comprehensive analysis and evidence-based information and opinion about a company. Academic articles are the output of academic reseach and have passed a level of research quality and rigour before publication. The reader can be sure that the author is qualified to analyse a company’s circumstances and provide insight into its operating environment. Using high-quality academic resources to support your business decisions and recommendations gives your argument weight and demonstrates that you have understood the complexity of the operating environment.

Search using the Western Sydney University Library search box, and refine your search results to peer-reviewed and scholarly articles only.

Google Scholar searches a wide range of scholarly literature and it is easy to view an author’s entire publishing history.  However, it uses a different searching algorithm to an academic database and often produces results that you haven’t yet seen.

It is difficult to identify which are peer-reviewed scholarly articles and many full-text articles are not freely available. Follow the instructions for linking Google Scholar to the WSU library.

Read the academic journal databases chapter for guidance on which databases to search and how to search effectively.

Statistics

Australian Statistics

Australian Government documents and data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics are helpful for demonstrating your target business’s current social and political operating environment.

Global Statistics

This video demonstrates how to use freely available census data to complete your market research.

1. Park, S., Notley, T., Thomson, T. J., Hourigan, A., and Dezuanni, M. (2024). Online Misinformation in Australia: Adults’ experiences, abilities, and responses. University of Canberra and Western Sydney University. https://doi.org/10.60836/jpmm-dw04