Business

Industrial classification codes (SIC and NAICS) are used to organize industry data and documents into broad topical areas. IBISWorld, Mergent Online, Mergent First Research, Mergent Intellect, ABI/INFORM and Business Source Premier databases have industry code look-up functions. The look-up functions allow you to search code descriptions by keyword, then select classification codes from a list. 

Several library databases provide industry code look-up functions which allow you to search the NAICS or SIC code descriptions by keyword and select codes from drop-down lists. 

Industry code searches enable you to:

• limit search results to a specific industry
• locate companies within an industry
• find industry overviews, analysis reports, statistics, forecasts and market trends

Industry codes serve to define broad topical areas such as a management function, an industry, a market, or an organization type. For example, NAICS Code 5418 covers Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services. In the ABI/INFORM business database, clicking on “Look up classification codes” will open a list of broad categories and nested sub-categories. Check boxes are provided to limit your search results to specific industries, markets or management functions.

Detailed descriptions and historical information about the SIC and NAICS industrial classification systems can be found on the Census.gov website at https://www.census.gov/naics/

Mergent First Research Industry Reports can be located by entering a NAICS code, an SIC code, or by browsing the classification code lists provided and selecting an industry class from the list.

In the example below the SIC 3944 classification, 'Toy and game, manufacturing' was selected from the alphabetical browse list.

Select the industry code radio button for the classification system you want to look up, then click on the 'use code look-up' link to browse the industry classes. Click on the '+' next to a class to open sub-categories. By selecting a classification from the list (or by entering a known code number) Mergent Online produces a list of private and public companies operating in the industry selected.

The industry code look-ups can be seen by clicking on 'Advanced Search.' You can either search for industry codes by keyword or browse the list of nested code descriptions by clicking on the link shown below. Using industry codes limits your search results to information pertaining to the industries selected.