Learning from experts: Collection development in business

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify the types of information useful for the business domain and resources for specific information types. Also, it aims to discuss a methodological approach for identifying core resources in a particular discipline. Design/methodology/approach: Content analysis of business materials identifies a set of business tasks and questions. Based on the results of content analysis, a survey simulating real reference situations is conducted with academic business reference librarians. Findings: The paper identifies the types of information most useful both for business as a whole and for the sub-fields (entrepreneurship, finance,management, and marketing). The resources suggested by participants are summarized for each type of information. Practical implications: The findings are helpful for academic business librarians for collection development as well as for database selection for a specific query. Originality/value: The suggested methodology for identifying core resources in a particular discipline has general applicability across other disciplines.