One aspect of industry analysis is examining industry trends and the factors that impact them, which is the topic of this discussion.

Consider the industry of your current job, or choose an industry in which you are interested in working. How is that industry trending?

What internal and external factors may affect the direction of the organization? For your initial post, identify the industry you are discussing and use the Industry Analysis, Trends, Statistics, and Forecasts article to answer these questions.

In response to your peers, offer your opinion of the industry they have posted about. Do you agree with their assessment? Why or why not?

Industry Research Reports

IBISWorld research reports provide in-depth industry analysis and five-year growth forecasts for over 1,000 industries, with special focus on the underlying structure and external forces and relationships that affect industries and their performance.

Report contents include market size and characteristics, key statistics and ratios, current performance, competitive landscape, major firms and market share, key risk and success factors, and five-year growth forecast. Sample reports are available free online.

First Research Industry Profiles

First Research profiles are updated monthly and provide analysis, trends, statistics, and forecasts for

a wide range of industries, with content sections in these profiles including industry overview, recentdevelopments, critical issues and challenges, business trends and opportunities, executive insights, financial benchmarking data, and five-year growth forecast. Sample profile report is available online.

Freedonia Group

Comprehensive research studies provide in-depth analysis for a wide range of industries, with topics covered in each report including market environment and trends; historical and forecast demand by product, market, and region; industry structure; and key company profiles. Detailed table of contents for each study is available online; full report or individual pages or sections can be purchased online.

BCC Research

BCC Research studies provides detailed analysis and forecasts for nineteen distinct vertical markets,with markets covered by these reports including advanced materials, fuel cells and batteries, plastics,chemicals, instrumentation and sensors, semiconductors, nanotechnology, environment, and energy and resources. Report overview, highlights, and detailed table of contents can be viewed free online.

Euromonitor International

Euromonitor reports analyze key trends and developments for a wide range of industries, with topics addressed in these reports including supply and demand trends, historical sales volume, competitive environment, firm demographics and market shares, customers and suppliers, and five-year revenue forecast. Summary description and detailed table of contents for the reports are available free online.

GIA Research

Comprehensive research reports provide in-depth analysis for more than 1,500 industries, with topics covered including market overview and dynamics, historical and forecast volume by product segment, innovations and introductions, strategic corporate developments, selected key companies, and global trade perspective. Summary report description and detailed table of contents are available free online.

Mintel Group, Ltd.

Market research reports provide detailed analysis for a wide range of consumer and business sectors, with topics addressed in these reports including market overview, issues and insights, current trends, market size, segment performance, key demand drivers, major companies, and marketing strategies. Detailed table of contents that includes key points and commentary from the report is available online.

Technavio

Technavio research reports provide detailed analysis for over 800 industries on a global and regional basis, with information provided in the reports including market size and forecast by product / service type, application, end-user, and geographic region, key growth drivers and challenges, market trends, and vendor analysis. Summary report descriptions and detailed table of contents are available online.

MarketResearch.com

MarketResearch.com provides access to over 400,000 research reports from 350 leading publishers, with information provided in these research reports including market size and segments; product and market forecasts; business trends, challenges, risks, and opportunities; and major participant profiles. Summary report description and detailed table of contents for these reports are available free online.

BizMiner Market Analysis

Market analysis reports provide statistical data in a three-year comparative format on a national, state, county, metro area, or zip code level for more than 5,000 industries, with data provided including total number of firms, total sales and sales trends, average sales per firm and employee, employment and staffing trends, and mapped and charted competitor data. Sample local analysis can be viewed online.

Occupational Outlook Handbook

Online reference guide provides career information for occupations in a wide variety of industries, with information provided for each occupation including job description and duties, workplace environment, training and education requirements, median annual compensation, job prospects and outlook, similarjob occupations, and additional references for more information. All information is available free online.

Encyclopedia of American Industries

Three-volume business reference guide provides information on over 1,000 U.S. industries, with topics covered including industry snapshot, organization and structure, background and development, current business conditions, leading companies, workforce, bibliography, and related articles. Reference guide can be purchased in a print or ebook format and is also available in many public and university libraries.

Industry-Specific Resource Guides

For industry-specific resource guides that identify resources available from trade associations, research firms, and other sources, see our Industry Resources section which provides resource guides for more than 400 industries, with resource categories covered in these guides including industry analysis, trends,statistics, and forecasts, financial statements and financial ratios, and compensation and salary surveys.