Special Report
Companies With the Best and Worst Reputations
April 15, 2019 1:53 pm
Last Updated: March 13, 2020 4:53 pm
Companies With the Best Reputation
Source: Junko Kimura / Getty Images
10. Sony
> 2019 reputation quotient: 79.4
> 2018 reputation quotient: 78.1
> Industry: Consumer electronics
> CEO: Kenichiro Yoshida
Consumer electronics company Sony has maintained a strong corporate reputation and is one of the most recognized Japanese businesses in the world. Historically, Sony has had a reputation as an innovative company, introducing products such as the Walkman cassette player in 1979 and the popular PlayStation game consoles. Sony is credited with reducing the size of electronics from bulky products to smaller, more manageable items that are more mobile.
Besides ranking highly in the Harris Poll, Sony earns kudos from the U.S.-based Ethisphere Institute as one of the world’s most ethical companies in 2019. Sony also annually ranks among Japan’s top global brands by Interbrand.
Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
9. Microsoft
> 2019 reputation quotient: 79.7
> 2018 reputation quotient: 80.4
> Industry: Technology
> CEO: Satya Nadella
Microsoft, the brainchild of Bill Gates and the late Paul Allen, almost single-handedly transformed the American home and workplace in the 1980s by making computers accessible to virtually everyone. After Gates stepped down as CEO in 2000, the leadership mantle was assumed by Steve Ballmer, a former classmate of Gates’ at Harvard University. Today, the company is run by Satya Nadella, a well-seasoned Microsoft executive who served in leadership capacities in the enterprise and consumer business sides of the company. Under Nadella, Microsoft has raised its presence in cloud infrastructure and services business.
Nadella enjoys a 96% approval rating among his employees on the job-hunting site Glassdoor. Employees say they like the pay, work-life balance, and growth opportunities under current leadership.
Source: Photo by Mike Simons / Getty Images
8. Procter & Gamble Co.
> 2019 reputation quotient: 79.8
> 2018 reputation quotient: 79.3
> Industry: Consumer products
> CEO: David S. Taylor
Consumer products company Procter & Gamble says it is trying to make its products accessible to all people. At the workplace, the Cincinnati, Ohio-based company has been named one of the top 50 companies for diversity by the publication Diversity Inc.
In addition, 181-year-old P&G is aiming to innovate its personal hygiene products. This year, for the first time, the maker of household name products like Tide detergent attended the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and introduced personal hygiene and beauty products infused technology. These products included a heated razor from Gillette, and a toothbrush that uses artificial intelligence that understands how users are brushing their teeth and gives feedback on how they can improve oral health.
Source: David McNew / Getty Images
7. Samsung
> 2019 reputation quotient: 80.0
> 2018 reputation quotient: 77.6
> Industry: Consumer electronics
> CEO: Kim Hyun Suk, Koh Dong Jin, Kim Ki Nam
South Korean consumer electronics company Samsung is the highest ranking foreign company on this list. The company gains its rarefied reputation largely through innovation. Samsung introduced the Galaxy smartphone 10 years ago, and it continues to improve on the product. Consumer electronics reviewers cite the latest generation of the Galaxy smartphone for its improved camera and video functionality. Samsung has been slugging it out with Apple for smartphone supremacy, and holds an edge over its rival in global market share. Samsung has also been at the forefront of wearable technology.
Samsung is also ranked as the sixth best global brand by Interbrand, and ranks fifth among the 50 most innovative companies in 2018 by Boston Consulting Group.
Source: Erik S. Lesser / Getty Images
6. Publix Super Markets
> 2019 reputation quotient: 80.3
> 2018 reputation quotient: 80.8
> Industry: Supermarkets
> CEO: Todd Jones
The regional grocery store chain was among the top 10 companies with the best reputations last year, and it returns to the top 10. Publix Super Markets has 1,215 locations in seven southern states, employs about 190,000 people, and reports nearly $35 billion in annual revenue. Publix also is the largest employee-owned grocery chain in the United States. Business magazine Fortune has named Publix on its list of “100 Best Companies to Work For” every year since 1998. Forbes also has listed the Lakeland, Florida-based company as one of “America’s Best Employers.”
Community involvement is important to Publix, according to the company. Publix was ranked second among the Top Companies for Social Responsibility by Harris Poll in 2017.
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Source: Junko Kimura / Getty Images
10. Sony
> 2019 reputation quotient: 79.4
> 2018 reputation quotient: 78.1
> Industry: Consumer electronics
> CEO: Kenichiro Yoshida
Consumer electronics company Sony has maintained a strong corporate reputation and is one of the most recognized Japanese businesses in the world. Historically, Sony has had a reputation as an innovative company, introducing products such as the Walkman cassette player in 1979 and the popular PlayStation game consoles. Sony is credited with reducing the size of electronics from bulky products to smaller, more manageable items that are more mobile.
Besides ranking highly in the Harris Poll, Sony earns kudos from the U.S.-based Ethisphere Institute as one of the world’s most ethical companies in 2019. Sony also annually ranks among Japan’s top global brands by Interbrand.
Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
9. Microsoft
> 2019 reputation quotient: 79.7
> 2018 reputation quotient: 80.4
> Industry: Technology
> CEO: Satya Nadella
Microsoft, the brainchild of Bill Gates and the late Paul Allen, almost single-handedly transformed the American home and workplace in the 1980s by making computers accessible to virtually everyone. After Gates stepped down as CEO in 2000, the leadership mantle was assumed by Steve Ballmer, a former classmate of Gates’ at Harvard University. Today, the company is run by Satya Nadella, a well-seasoned Microsoft executive who served in leadership capacities in the enterprise and consumer business sides of the company. Under Nadella, Microsoft has raised its presence in cloud infrastructure and services business.
Nadella enjoys a 96% approval rating among his employees on the job-hunting site Glassdoor. Employees say they like the pay, work-life balance, and growth opportunities under current leadership.
24/7 Wall St.Source: Photo by Mike Simons / Getty Images
8. Procter & Gamble Co.
> 2019 reputation quotient: 79.8
> 2018 reputation quotient: 79.3
> Industry: Consumer products
> CEO: David S. Taylor
Consumer products company Procter & Gamble says it is trying to make its products accessible to all people. At the workplace, the Cincinnati, Ohio-based company has been named one of the top 50 companies for diversity by the publication Diversity Inc.
In addition, 181-year-old P&G is aiming to innovate its personal hygiene products. This year, for the first time, the maker of household name products like Tide detergent attended the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and introduced personal hygiene and beauty products infused technology. These products included a heated razor from Gillette, and a toothbrush that uses artificial intelligence that understands how users are brushing their teeth and gives feedback on how they can improve oral health.
Source: David McNew / Getty Images
7. Samsung
> 2019 reputation quotient: 80.0
> 2018 reputation quotient: 77.6
> Industry: Consumer electronics
> CEO: Kim Hyun Suk, Koh Dong Jin, Kim Ki Nam
South Korean consumer electronics company Samsung is the highest ranking foreign company on this list. The company gains its rarefied reputation largely through innovation. Samsung introduced the Galaxy smartphone 10 years ago, and it continues to improve on the product. Consumer electronics reviewers cite the latest generation of the Galaxy smartphone for its improved camera and video functionality. Samsung has been slugging it out with Apple for smartphone supremacy, and holds an edge over its rival in global market share. Samsung has also been at the forefront of wearable technology.
Samsung is also ranked as the sixth best global brand by Interbrand, and ranks fifth among the 50 most innovative companies in 2018 by Boston Consulting Group.
Source: Erik S. Lesser / Getty Images
6. Publix Super Markets
> 2019 reputation quotient: 80.3
> 2018 reputation quotient: 80.8
> Industry: Supermarkets
> CEO: Todd Jones
The regional grocery store chain was among the top 10 companies with the best reputations last year, and it returns to the top 10. Publix Super Markets has 1,215 locations in seven southern states, employs about 190,000 people, and reports nearly $35 billion in annual revenue. Publix also is the largest employee-owned grocery chain in the United States. Business magazine Fortune has named Publix on its list of “100 Best Companies to Work For” every year since 1998. Forbes also has listed the Lakeland, Florida-based company as one of “America’s Best Employers.”
Community involvement is important to Publix, according to the company. Publix was ranked second among the Top Companies for Social Responsibility by Harris Poll in 2017.
Sponsored: Tips for Investing
A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit.
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