Bill Gates and Microsoft command complete respect

It might be much-maligned by large parts of the IT community but Microsoft is one of the world's most-respected companies.

In a survey by the Financial Times and PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the software giant was beaten to the top spot by General Electric, which has now occupied the number one position for three consecutive years.

Other technology companies in the top 10 include IBM at number three, Sony at number four, Nokia at number seven and Intel at number nine.

Last year's number seven Cisco falls to 27, while HP jumps 20 places from 35 to 15 - Compaq does not appear in the top 50.

US companies dominate the list.

The survey shows a clear move away from telecom and internet companies, with both Amazon.com and Vodafone falling out of the top 50 this year.

The survey also assessed the respect afforded to the world's top business leaders.

General Electric pips Microsoft to the post again with Jack Welch holding out as most-respected businessman for the fourth consecutive year followed by Bill Gates.

IBM's Lou Gerstner, Sony's Nobuyuki Idei and Intel's Andy Grove occupy fourth, fifth and sixth places respectively.

Despite a knighthood and 407 per cent pay rise in 2001, Vodafone's Chris Gent will be utterly devastated to learn he's fallen from 16th to 23rd, while Apple boss Steve jobs drops 10 from 19th to 29th.

Which company and which business leader would you have voted for? Add a reader comment below and let us know what you think.

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