Industry Research  

Throughout these pages are multiple references to NAICS and SIC codes. NAICS is the current standard, but many sources continue to use SIC. Both classification systems provide a way to organize companies into specific industry groups. Below are links to outlines and manuals for both. They also provide complete definitions and descriptions for each industry.

• North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) - the 6-digit standard used by federal agencies to classify business establishments. ABI/Inform, Business Source Elite, and LexisNexis (see Articles tab) all allow you to search for articles about industries using NAICS codes.
• Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system - the former standard, still in use by some organizations, based on four-digit codes. LexisNexis and ABI/Inform allow searches using SIC codes.