What’s Left in Your List? An Analysis of Business Database Holdings, Funding Sources, Cancelations, and the Impact of COVID-19 at Top Ranking U.S. Universities

Abstract Business and economics related databases and data sets are the most vital resources for supporting scholarly research and the curriculum at colleges and schools of business, and these resources evolve rapidly and are subject to significant price fluctuations. In this study, the top-ranking U.S. universities according to the U.S. News and World Report with Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation were surveyed about their subscriptions to databases, WRDS data sets, and Bloomberg Terminals to create a benchmark. In this survey, these institutions were also asked to provide information about funding source or cost-sharing changes and cancelations brought forth by budgetary pressures from COVID-19. The intent was to provide a snapshot of the impact of COVID-19 but to also provide guidance to institutions facing similar budgetary pressures in a future financial crisis.