Apple still takes top spot for the most innovative company in the world. The Street reported that Boston Consulting Group ranked Apple as the most innovative company in the world for 2013. And this isn’t unusual: Boston Consulting has put Apple in the top spot for nine straight years. Samsung, came in second on the list which is up from 26th last year.. Google, fell from second in 2012 to third this year. Microsoft is fourth, while IBM ranks sixth. Amazon enjoyed a strong seventh-place showing, while Sony came in at 11th place.
"Tech and telecom still rule a big part of the innovation roost," said Kim Wagner, a BCG senior partner and coauthor of the report. "But we are also seeing a resurgence in recognition for the ability of traditional manufacturers to innovate in product, process, and technology. Auto companies are leading the way."
Toyota (TM_) is fifth on the list, moving up from the sixth spot in last year's list.
Rounding out the top 10 are two more tech companies, two more automakers, and an industrial. IBM (IBM_), Amazon (AMZN_), Ford (F_), BMW and General Electric (GE_) round out the top 10.
Up and coming companies (a new category this year) includes Pinterest, WhatsApp, Square, Line, Spotify, Rakuten, Alibaba, Netflix (NFLX_) and Groupon (GRPN_).
The future?
It’s difficult to predict what the future holds for Apple. The loss of Jobs is a big one. But if Boston Consulting’s list is any indication, it would appear that Apple’s critics may be incorrect in stating the company’s days of innovation are gone.
Nancy Phillippi, Sales and Marketing Manager at Custom Information Services (CIS) for Microsoft Dynamics GP. CIS is a Dynamics GP Silver ERP Partner located in North Texas. CIS also offers Managed IT and Network Services.