Google voted the most reputable firm in Ireland

Internet search giant Google continues to be the most reputable company in Ireland, according to the annual study of corporate reputations.

Google, whose corporate motto has been “don’t be evil”, came out on top of the study of Ireland’s 101 largest and most visible organisations.

Google was the only firm to score over 80 points out of a possible 100 pints in the survey.

Last year, six companies managed to register a score over 80 points.

Kerry Group, Apple, Cadbury (now part of Kraft Foods), and Volkswagen Group made up the rest of the top five companies by reputation in Ireland.

The results of the RepTrak 2012 study, undertaken by Corporate Reputations and their global partners the Reputation Institute, were announced yesterday.

Corporate Reputations managing director Niamh Boyle said global firms are now counting the management of their reputations as a key performance indicator. She said a good reputation leads to sales.

“The general public are as much concerned about the companies that stand behind the products and services they purchase as the products themselves. Organisations that realise this reap the benefits,” she said.

“Improving your firms’ reputation score by ten points leads to increasing recommendations from the public by 12%. Given that businesses of every size around Ireland are facing stiffer competition, no organisation can afford to ignore the value of a strong reputation.”

A knock-on effect of the recession has been a fall in more than 75% of firms’ reputations. Food manufacturing companies remain the most trusted, admired, and respected.

At the other end of the scale the financial services sector is the lowest scoring industry, despite recording a modest rise in reputation.

The award for best performing Irish organisation went to Kerry Group, followed by Eason & Son, Dairygold, and Arnotts. Bord na Móna won the award for the best performing semi-state organisation.