Most Ethical Companies List Released for 2013

The Ethisphere Institute’s 2013 World’s Most Ethical Companies (WME) list recognizes companies that make statements about doing business ethically while transforming those statements into actions. For the year, a record high 145 companies, from over 36 industries, made the list including 23 companies that have placed on the list for the entire six-year history of the WME. Some of these companies include Aflac, General Electric, Starbucks, American Express, Patagonia, and others.

“The World’s Most Ethical Companies are leaders of their respective industries when it comes to key ethical criteria, such as tone from the top, employee well-being, CSR, compliance programs, and other important areas,” Alex Brigham, executive director of the Ethisphere Institute, said. “Every year we are impressed to learn some of the new ethics initiatives that these companies have developed and we are pleased to see the bar raised higher year after year. These companies also understand that a strong culture of ethics is also key to helping drive financial performance.”

Other companies included on the list for 2013 include Adobe Systems, Cisco Systems, eBay, Ford Motor Company, Intel, Xerox, Visa, and ManpowerGroup. The methodology process involves the consideration of ethics codes, litigation, regulatory infractions, investments in innovation and sustainable business practices, and actions to improve corporate citizenship. Companies nominate themselves each year for the distinction in order to separate themselves from industry competitors.