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globalEDGE Help - Resource Desk

What is the Resource Desk?

The Resource Desk section of globalEDGE™ is the evolution of one of the most well-known international business web sites in the world, International Business Resources on the WWW. Hosted by the Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) at Michigan State University, International Business Resources on the WWW has helped millions of business people, students, and academicians engaged in international business around the world to find useful resources in the most convenient manner, since 1995. Now, International Business Resources on the WWW has become a fundamental part of globalEDGE, which is an integrated International Business portal hosted by MSU-CIBER.

What can I find on Resource Desk?

The Resource Desk Section is divided into seven areas:

1. Global Resources: A directory of international business resources categorized by specific orientation and content.
2. Market Potential Index: An indexing study conducted by MSU-CIBER to compare Emerging Markets on several dimensions. This study ranks 27 countries identified as "Emerging Markets" by The Economist.
3. gE Business Review (gBR): Cutting-edge articles dealing with a variety of international business issues facing managers in different world areas, industries, and management functions with new articles published monthly.
4. Database of International Business Statistics (DIBS): A robust collection of compiled and organized international business data available free of charge.
5. gE Network: A members-only privilege that allows those interested in international business to find contacts in varying countries and industries and contact users through email service via globalEDGE™.
6. Glossary: A compilation of definitions and descriptions of terms and acronyms used for International Business.
7. Submit Resource: A form for you to send us your comments, questions, and/or any suggestions for resources that you would like to see listed on globalEDGE in the future.

What is Global Resources?

globalEDGE™'s Global Resources is the ultimate web directory of publicly available web-based resources to provide information about issues ranging from cultural and economic country-specific information to Trade Tutorials, Trade Law, or even Statistical Data Sources.

What makes the Global Resources such a valuable resource?

Our experienced Resource Desk Development Team has reviewed each one of the resources listed here. The detailed commentaries will help you to quickly identify the resources that best meet your specific needs and interests. To see the criteria that we use to decide whether to list specific resources, please view the Site Listing Criteria option available from the "submit resources" section of the resource desk dropdown menu.

How can I find the resource I am looking for in the least time possible?

Browse by Category if you are looking for general information on a topic (e.g., how to engage in international trade: look under Trade Tutorials). Use the search option if you are looking for a specific resource and you know the name, the topic, or the content of the resource. Search all categories if you want to retrieve all available resources associated with the keyword(s) that you provide.

On the resource desk...

If you are on the Resource Desk front page, enter the keyword(s) in the search box, chose "Search." Within any category, use the "search" box located under the top menu on the page to type your keyword. Our search engine will search all of the available resources by default and will retrieve those associated with your request. Under the commentary of each resource you will see a link to the category under which the resource is listed. Click that link if you want to go to the specific category, or simply click on the link to the resource.

Search a category...

Search only a specific category if you want to retrieve resources associated with the keyword(s) you provide narrowed down to the specific orientation of one of our categories (e.g., Trade Tutorials about Exports: Search for "export" under the Trade Tutorials category). In order to limit your search to a specific category, you will need to be in that particular category. From the Resource Desk front page, click on the category in which you are interested to enter into that category. Then, use the "Search this category" box located under the top menu on the page to type your keyword, click "Submit" (or hit the "Enter" key on your keyboard) and our search engine will retrieve the resources that match your keyword(s) and are listed under the specific category.

How do I know what type of resources are listed under each topic category?

Descriptions of the resources listed in each section are available under the "Category Descriptions" link found on the Global Resources and Resource Desk Home pages.

How do I recommend that a resource be added to your site?

We welcome suggestions for links to be added to our site. You may submit your suggested site through the "submit resources" option on the resource desk drop down menu that is accessed by hovering the mouse over the “resource desk” heading on the top navigation. Before submitting the resource please review our "Site-listing Criteria" to make sure the site meets our listing criteria.

Can you give me some tips for easy navigation?

Navigating easiest within categories...
Several categories have two or three subcategories (i.e., category "Statistical Data Sources" is divided into two subcategories: "regional" and "country specific"). Within any category that has subcategories, you will find filters that you can use to move easily from subcategory to subcategory.

Returning to the Resource Desk after visiting a resource...
When you click on any of the listings within a category, you will be directed to a web site outside of globalEDGE™ which will open in a new tab or new window. To return to the Resource Desk simply navigate back to the window or tab.

What is the Market Potential Index section about?

Market Potential Index is a ranking study made by MSU-CIBER to help companies compare Emerging Markets with each other on several dimensions. The focus of this study is to rank the market potential of 27 countries identified as "Emerging Markets" by The Economist.

What is the gE Business Review?

The gE Business Review is comprised of cutting-edge articles dealing with a variety of international business issues facing managers in different world areas, industries, and management functions with new articles published monthly. The objective of gBR is to be your source for cutting-edge global business knowledge. The main target audience is business executives, and articles are distributed to over 36,000 people in the gE Network. Each article is also available FREE to the millions of users of the globalEDGE website. No other journal in international business has gBR's reach and visibility.

What is DIBS (Database of International Business Statistics)?

globalEDGE Database of International Business Statistics (DIBS) is a collection of compiled and organized international business data. Our robust data is regularly updated and includes a large number of variables and countries spanning multiple years. Importantly, it is FREE and open to all interested parties, the only requirement is that you must be a registered globalEDGE™ user (which is also free) and provide a description of the study you are conducting each time you download data.

What is the globalEDGE™ Network?

The globalEDGE™ Network is a members-only privilege, which allows those interested in international business to find contacts in varying countries and industries. Specifically, the globalEDGE™ Network allows users to search within the globalEDGE™ membership and contact users through email service via globalEDGE™.

What is the Glossary section about?

Since part of globalEDGE™'s users may not be familiar with some of the terminology used in some resources, we are glad to provide an explanation of many International Business terms. The glossary is alphabetized and very easy to navigate: just click on the letters on the index for a full list of words starting with the specific letter, or use the search box under the index to run a search for keywords.

What is the Submit Resources section?

We welcome interaction with all users, so feel free to use the Resource Desk Submit Resources to do so! Please use the provided form to submit new resources, provide feedback, or to ask questions. If your browser does not support forms, you can email us instead at resource-desk@globaledge.msu.edu.

What are the Site-listing Criteria?

This is the criteria that our development team uses to decide whether or not to add a new resource to the Resource Desk. Sites that do not meet those criteria are not listed under our categories, unless our development team believes that there is a very significant and justifiable reason to do so (see the "exceptions" section). Listing of sites that meet the criteria is still subject to the judgment of our development team.

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