CLIPCooperative Library Instruction Project

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CLIP Cooperative Library Instruction Project
Industry Service Classification Codes
Industry Service Classification Codes SIC,
NAICS, ISIC
Credits This CLIP Tutorial was created
by Institution Northeastern State University on
28 March 2007. Authored G. Cheatham (Resource
Coordinator, College of Business and
Technology) Tutorial animated and created by
Kristin Kroger and Emily Brown
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CLIP Cooperative Library Instruction Project
Industry Service Classification Codes

• This tutorial is designed to introduce the
  industry and service classification systems most
  commonly used in the United States.
• By the end of the tutorial you will learn some of
  the background behind each coding system,
  discover where to find the codes, and become
  aware of some of the resources using the codes.

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CLIP Cooperative Library Instruction Project
Industry Service Classification Codes
SIC (1972)
SIC (1987)
NAICS (1997)
ISIC
NAICS (2002)

• Three primary classification systems will be
  discussed in this tutorial. This includes the
  1972 and 1987 versions of the SIC system, the
  1997 and 2002 editions of the NAICS
  classification, and the international system
  known by the acronym ISIC.

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CLIP Cooperative Library Instruction Project
Industry Service Classification Codes
Standard Industrial Classification
North American Industry Classification System
International Standard Industrial Classification

• SIC stands for Standard Industrial
  Classification
• NAICS stands for North American Industry
  Classification System
• ISIC stands for International Standard
  Industrial Classification

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CLIP Cooperative Library Instruction Project
Industry Service Classification Codes
SIC

• U.S. industry codes were introduced as part of
  the 1957 classification system. Although these
  codes have undergone various revisions since
  then, their original use, which was to define
  industries in accordance with the composition and
  structure of the U.S. economy and economic
  activities, is still valid today.
• The first major revision of the 1957
  classification occurred with the release of
  the1972 SIC codes. Although now dated, the 1972
  codes may be needed when researching industry
  statistics between the years 1972 and 1987.

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CLIP Cooperative Library Instruction Project
Industry Service Classification Codes
REF. HF 1042 .A55 1987

• Due to major technological and institutional
  changes in U.S. industries and services, the
  Office of Management and Budget modified the 1972
  codes during the 1980s.
• This led to the publication of the 1987 SIC
  system. The 1987 edition represents a
  significant revision and expansion of the 1972
  codes, particularly those related to service
  sectors. A major restructuring of other
  industrial classifications was also part of the
  1987 version.

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CLIP Cooperative Library Instruction Project
Industry Service Classification Codes
REF. HF 1042 .N6 1998

• During the 1990s, the governments of the U.S.,
  Canada, and Mexico produced a common
  classification system which resulted in the
  adoption of the 1997 NAICS codes. NAICS was
  designed to replace the existing classification
  systems of each country, and to enhance the
  industry comparability of the three NAFTA trade
  partners. Although NAICS was adopted in the last
  decade, the business world has been slow to fully
  embrace it. As a result, both SIC and NAICS
  remain in use today.

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CLIP Cooperative Library Instruction Project
Industry Service Classification Codes
REF. HF 1042 .N6 2002

• Shortly after the release of the 1997 NAICS codes
  it became clear that a modification was needed to
  address certain growth industries, including
  those related to the Internet and information
  sectors. As a result, the classification system
  underwent a revision that produced NAICS 2002.

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CLIP Cooperative Library Instruction Project
Industry Service Classification Codes
REF. HC 10 .I673 2005

• Independent of SIC and NAICS is another
  classification system maintained by the United
  Nations, and known as the International Standard
  Industrial Classification (ISIC). Although not
  all countries have switched to the ISIC system,
  the use of this classification may be necessary
  when researching certain characteristics of
  international trade and economic activities. For
  example, the U.N. Industrial Development
  Organization uses this system to organize and
  report the industrial and economic activities of
  various nations.

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CLIP Cooperative Library Instruction Project
Industry Service Classification Codes
SIC
NAICS

• Time and space do not permit discussing how to
  use or interpret these various coding systems in
  print publications and electronic resources.
  This is a topic of other instruction
  opportunities. This tutorial, however, can be
  used to identify some print publications and
  databases that use SIC (1987) and NAICS codes.
  Some of these resources will only accept one code
  or the other, but others make provision for using
  either system.

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CLIP Cooperative Library Instruction Project
Industry Service Classification Codes
REF. HF 5681 .R25153

• Lets begin by looking at three print
  publications dealing with industry and business
  ratios. The first such publication is Dun
  Bradstreets Industry Norms Key Business
  Ratios. This publication uses SIC codes.

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CLIP Cooperative Library Instruction Project
Industry Service Classification Codes
REF. HF 5681 .R25T68

• The second ratio publication is Troys Almanac of
  Business and Industrial Financial Ratios. Recent
  editions of this title use NAICS codes.

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CLIP Cooperative Library Instruction Project
Industry Service Classification Codes
REF. HF 5681 .B2R58

• The third and final ratios book is RMAs Annual
  Statement Studies. This publication accepts the
  use of both SIC and NAICS.

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CLIP Cooperative Library Instruction Project
Industry Service Classification Codes
REF. HG 4057 .A237

• Although many other print publications that use
  SIC or NAICS codes could be mentioned, an
  additional noteworthy title is Dun Bradstreets
  Business Rankings. Sometimes called Duns
  Business Rankings, this publication uses SIC
  codes to help identify major public and private
  companies in many categories, including
  competitors in the same industry.

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CLIP Cooperative Library Instruction Project
Industry Service Classification Codes
SIC NAICS Databases

• Next, lets identify some databases that accept
  the use of SIC or NAICS.

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CLIP Cooperative Library Instruction Project
Industry Service Classification Codes

• For example, ABI/Inform (a ProQuest database)
  accepts the use of NAICS codes in the advanced
  search mode to help find journal articles on
  specific industries and service categories.

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CLIP Cooperative Library Instruction Project
Industry Service Classification Codes

• Business Dateline is another journal article
  database that supports the use of codes, namely
  SIC codes.

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CLIP Cooperative Library Instruction Project
Industry Service Classification Codes

• Business Source Elite accepts the use of NAICS
  codes to help find journal articles on business
  topics.

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CLIP Cooperative Library Instruction Project
Industry Service Classification Codes

• Mergent supports the use of both SIC and NAICS to
  identify company and industry information.

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CLIP Cooperative Library Instruction Project
Industry Service Classification Codes

• The U.S. Business subset of ReferenceUSA supports
  the use of both SIC and NAICS to identify
  businesses and companies by industry and service
  category.

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CLIP Cooperative Library Instruction Project
Industry Service Classification Codes

• Thomson One Banker supports the use of SIC codes
  to find company data by category. To find the
  needed search box on Thomson One Banker, after
  logging onto the database click on Search for
  Companies.

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CLIP Cooperative Library Instruction Project
Industry Service Classification Codes
SIC (1972)
SIC (1987)
NAICS (1997)
ISIC
NAICS (2002)

• Although additional databases and print resources
  supporting the use of SIC, NAICS, and ISIC can be
  identified, the ones mentioned in this tutorial
  are a good starting point. Explore the use of
  these codes in other resources. Using these
  industry and service classification systems could
  be just what is needed to simplify your search
  for industry and service data.