The world's 20 most admired firms: 4 Indian cos in list

Four Indian companies have been named amongst the world's 20 most admired knowledge enterprises by the MAKE research programme established by Teleos, in association with The KNOW Network.

The Global MAKE research is based on the Delphi methodology. This technique uses an expert panel's perceptual knowledge to identify and examine critical issues -- in the case of the Global MAKE study to identify those organisations which are leaders in the 21st century knowledge economy.

In the Global MAKE study there are three rounds of consensus building. In the first round, members of the expert panel nominate organizations (profit, non-profit and public sector) located anywhere in the world.

In the second round, each member of the expert panel selects a maximum of three knowledge-driven organizations from the list of nominations. Those organizations selected by at least 10% of the expert panel members are recognized as Global MAKE Finalists.

In the third and final round, the Global MAKE Finalists are ranked against each of the eight knowledge performance dimensions which form the MAKE framework and are the visible drivers of value creation:

• Creating an enterprise knowledge-driven culture.
• Developing knowledge workers through senior management leadership.
• Developing and delivering knowledge-based products/services/solutions.
• Maximizing enterprise intellectual capital.
• Creating an environment for collaborative enterprise knowledge sharing.
• Creating a learning organization.
• Delivering value based on stakeholder knowledge.
• Transforming enterprise knowledge into shareholder/stakeholder value.

A total of 96 organizations were nominated as 2010 Global Most Admired Knowledge Enterprises. Out of this group, 51 organizations were recognized as 2010 Global MAKE Finalists.

A total of 20 Global MAKE Finalists were recognized as 2010 Global MAKE Winners (based on the total composite scores).

Click NEXT to check out the winners of the 2010 Global MAKE study . . . 

Tata Group (India)

Founded in 1868, the Tata Group pioneered several industries of national importance in India, such as steel, power, hospitality and airlines.

The Tata name has been respected in India for over 140 years for its adherence to strong values and business ethics. The Tata Group has annual revenues of $67.4 billion (fiscal year ending March 31, 2010), employs over 360,000 people, and spans over 100 companies and subsidiaries in seven business sectors: communications and information technology, engineering, materials, services, energy, consumer products and chemicals.

The Tata Group is recognized in the 2010 Global MAKE study for developing knowledge workers through senior management leadership.

The Tata Group is a four-time Global MAKE Winner.

Mr. B Muthuraman, Vice Chairman, Tata Steel Group, said: "Being the Global MAKE winner for the 4th time gives us a lot of pleasure and satisfaction and makes us realize that in today's knowledge economy, the initial steps that the Tata Group companies have taken are in the right direction.

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MindTree (India)

MindTree Ltd., founded in 1999, is a global IT Solutions company specializing in IT Services, Independent Testing, Infrastructure Management and Technical Support (IMTS), Knowledge Services and Product Engineering, including R&D Services, Software Product Engineering and Wireless Products. MindTree partners with its clients in order to create transparent, value-based relationships. It is co-headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, USA, and Bangalore, India, and has annual revenues of $272 million (fiscal year ending March 31, 2010) and employs over 9,000 people.

The 2010 Global MAKE panel has recognized MindTree for maximizing enterprise intellectual capital. This is the first time that MindTree has been recognized as an Global MAKE Winner.

Krishnakumar Natarajan, CEO & MD of MindTree says, "In a world that requires us to innovate at lightning speed, we look at our knowledge management function to leverage the power of communities and usage of our own social computing platform -- Konnect. We have had early successes in bringing the best out of people through volunteerism and nurturing ideas."

"Our technology festival, Osmosis, which runs for 3 months, celebrates the need and the power of contribution. We can clearly see the benefits of a holistic Knowledge ecosystem in action. While we have enjoyed the benefits mostly in areas of service delivery internally we will increase KM's footprint to cover areas outside our own organization."

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Wipro Technologies (India)

Wipro Technologies provides comprehensive IT solutions and services, including systems integration, information systems outsourcing, package implementation, software application development and maintenance, and research and development services. Wipro Technologies has annual revenues of US $5.3 billion and employs over 110,000 people from over 70 nationalities working at more than 72 global delivery centers located in 55 countries.

The 2010 Global MAKE panel recognized Wipro Technologies for creating a knowledge-driven organizational culture and collaborative knowledge-sharing work environment. Wipro Technologies is a four-time Global MAKE Winner.

In recognitions of Wipro's knowledge initiatives at global, regional and national levels, Ved Prakash, chief knowledge officer of Wipro's Global IT Business, said, "It is a matter of great pride to be a recipient of this prestigious global recognition. Wipro has always viewed Knowledge Management (KM) as one of the cornerstones of its people-intensive business and this award is a testimony to the contribution of various KM initiatives in the all-round success of the organization."

He further added, "This wouldn't have been possible without active participation of all our employees and customers in creating a thriving culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration.

Wipro has been helping its customers as well in formulating their own knowledge strategies and by sharing best practices matured over a KM journey of more than eleven years."

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Infosys Technologies (India)

Infosys Technologies provides consulting and IT services to clients globally. With annual sales of $4.8 billion (fiscal year ending March 31, 2010) and employing over 110,000 people worldwide, the company uses a low-risk Global Delivery Model (GDM) to accelerate schedules with a high degree of time and cost predictability.

During the past several years, Infosys has made a concerted effort to provide an integrated solution to meet the knowledge needs of the organization in the four basic dimensions of knowledge management: people, process, technology and content.

The 2010 Global MAKE panel has recognized Infosys Technologies for creating a collaborative knowledge-sharing work environment. Infosys Technologies is a seven-time Global MAKE Winner.

Srikantan Moorthy, SVP and Group Head, Education & Research, Infosys Technologies Limited, said: "We are delighted on being recognized as a Global MAKE winner for the seventh time. Businesses today are operating in a dynamic environment where effective knowledge creation and dissemination increasingly defines market leadership.

In line with this, Knowledge Management provides a significant thrust for Infosys to achieve its objective of offering best in class services and solutions to its clients across the world. We therefore consider this award to be a recognition of our commitment towards this objective."

A. Latha, AVP, KM Group, Infosys, said "Infosys is constantly working towards surpassing the expectations of clients as we support them in achieving their business objectives. Recognitions such as MAKE awards strengthen our resolve to relentlessly sustain and fuel vibrant knowledge sharing by deploying state of the art Knowledge Management solutions and engaging employees in creating value for their clients."

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Accenture (Global)

Established in 1989, Accenture is a $21.6 billion (fiscal year ending August 31, 2010) global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. The firm employs over 200,000 people working in offices and operations in more than 200 cities in 53 countries.

Accenture's "high performance business" strategy builds on its expertise in consulting, technology and outsourcing to help clients perform at the highest levels so that they can create sustainable value for their customers and shareholders.

The firm is recognized in the 2010 Global MAKE study for creating a knowledge-driven organizational culture, and maximizing enterprise intellectual capital. Accenture is a 13-time Global MAKE Winner.

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Apple (United States)

Computers are still an important part of Apple's business, but for many consumers it is the company's entertainment and communications products that have made it a household name.

The company has scored runaway hits with its award-winning digital music players (iPod), online music store (iTunes), the iPhone, and now the iPad. Apple has annual sales of $46.7 billon (fiscal year ending September 30, 2010) and employs over 37,000 people.

The 2010 Global MAKE panel has recognized Apple for developing knowledge-based products/services (1st place), and transforming enterprise knowledge into shareholder value (1st place). This is the fifth year in a row that Apple has been recognized as a Global MAKE Winner.

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Ernst & Young (Global)

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services.

Worldwide, its 141,000 people working in 140 countries are united by shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. By drawing on global technical and industry knowledge, Ernst & Young professionals work to anticipate trends, identify the implications and develop points of views on relevant issues.

In the fiscal year ended 30 June 2010, Ernst & Young reported income of $21.3 billion.

Ernst & Young is recognized in the 2010 Global MAKE study for developing knowledge workers through senior management leadership, and creating a learning organization. Ernst & Young is a 13-time Global MAKE Winner.

"It's great to receive this recognition once again," said John Murphy, Ernst & Young global managing partner -- markets. "As the most globally integrated organization in professional services, we invest in our knowledge-sharing culture and processes on a global basis. That means that we can provide each of our clients -- whether they're based in San Jose or Shanghai or somewhere in between -- with the insights they need in today's increasingly complex business world."

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Fluor (United States)

Fluor is one of the world's largest publicly owned engineering, procurement, construction and maintenance services organizations. Fluor's primary objective is to develop, execute and maintain projects on schedule, within budget and with excellence.

Fluor, with 2009 annual sales of $22 billion, employs over 36,000 people and maintains a network of offices in more than 30 countries across six continents.

In this year's Global MAKE study, Fluor has been recognized for creating a knowledge-driven

organizational culture and a collaborative knowledge-sharing environment. This is the fifth consecutive year that the company has been recognized as a Global MAKE Winner.

"Fluor is delighted to be selected as a Global MAKE winner for the 5th consecutive year. Our knowledge management system and processes are built as a foundation to engage and support our global workforce, whose expertise and efforts are vital to keeping Fluor on top in our extremely competitive markets," said John McQuary, vice president, knowledge management and technology strategies.

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General Electric (United States)

GE, established in 1892, is a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company operating in

more than 100 countries. The company has annual sales of $156.8 billion (2009) and

employs over 300,000 people. GE's R&D budget for 2009 was $5.2 billion.

GE is recognized in the 2010 Global MAKE study for creating a learning organization. GE is an

11-time Global MAKE Winner, including overall 2001 Global MAKE Winner.

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Google (United States)

Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful.

The company, founded in 1998, operates the most popular, and powerful, Internet search engine as well as related web-based technologies which enable users to search in many different languages, for example: stock quotes, maps and news headlines; phonebook listings for every city in the United States; billions of images; and the world's largest archive of Usenet messages -- more than 1 billion posts dating back to 1981.

The company generates almost all of its revenues through advertising sales that are targeted by keywords. Google had 2009 revenues of $23.7 billion and employs over 22,000 people.

Google is recognized in the 2010 Global MAKE study for creating a knowledge-driven organizational culture (1st place), and creating value from customer/stakeholder knowledge (1st place). This is the sixth consecutive year that the company has been recognized as a Global MAKE Winner, including overall 2010 Global MAKE Winner.

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HP (United States)

HP, founded in 1939, is a technology company offering a comprehensive portfolio of hardware, software and services. HP had 2010 annual sales (fiscal year ending October 31, 2010) of US $114.6 billion, employs over 300,000 people and operates in more than 170 countries.

HP is recognized in the 2010 Global MAKE study for creating a learning organization. HP is a 10-time Global MAKE Winner.

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IBM (United States)

IBM is a leader in information technology solutions and consulting, and business process outsourcing.

The company also is a leading provider of mainframe computers, servers, storage systems and peripherals. IBM employs nearly 400,000 people and operates in almost every country in the world. In 2009, IBM had global sales of $95.8 billion.

IBM is recognized in the 2010 Global MAKE study for maximizing enterprise intellectual capital (1st place). IBM is an 12-time Global MAKE Winner, including overall 2004 Global MAKE Winner.

Doug Weiss, executive global leader, learning and knowledge, IBM Global Business Services, said: "IBM is delighted to be recognized as a MAKE winner again this year. We view knowledge sharing and collaboration as critical to our success and fundamental components of our business. We make it a priority to continuously innovate in this area, and consider it an honour to be recognized among this list of fine companies."

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McKinsey & Company (Global)

McKinsey & Company, founded in 1926, is perhaps the most knowledge-oriented firm within the global management consulting industry. McKinsey is not the largest consulting company in the world in terms of annual revenues, but with more than 8,000 consultants (out of a total workforce of 15,000 people working in more than 90 offices in more than 50 countries), it is among the most profitable and many consider that it has the strongest brand image.

McKinsey & Company spends a significant percentage of its annual revenues on managing and sharing knowledge.

In the 2010 Global MAKE study, the firm is recognized for developing knowledge workers through senior management leadership. McKinsey & Company is a 10-time Global MAKE Winner, including two-time (2007-2008) overall Global MAKE Winner.

"McKinsey & Company is honored to be recognized for the 10th year running as one of the world's most admired global knowledge organizations, and for the distinctive contributions we make to management thinking and our clients around the world as a result," said Eric Labaye, director, firm knowledge and communications at McKinsey & Company.

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Microsoft (United States)

Microsoft is a leader in software and Internet technologies for personal and business computing.

The company, established in 1975, also is expanding into the Web-based services, mobile communication and entertainment markets. Headquartered in Redmond, Washington, Microsoft has annual sales of $62.5 billion (fiscal year ending June 30, 2010), subsidiary offices in more than 60 countries, and employs 89,000 people worldwide. In the 2009 fiscal year, Microsoft spent $8.7 billion on R&D.

Microsoft is cited in this year's Global MAKE study for creating a collaborative knowledge-sharing environment (1st place). Microsoft is a 13-time Global MAKE Winner, including overall 1999 Global MAKE Winner.

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PwC (Global)

PwC is a leading professional services network providing industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services. More than 161,000 people in 154 countries across the PwC network share their thinking, expertise and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice.

In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, PwC reported global revenues of $26.6 billion.

PwC is cited in this year's Global MAKE study for developing knowledge workers through senior management leadership, and transforming enterprise knowledge into stakeholder value.

PwC is a nine-time Global MAKE Winner.

"We are delighted that senior executives and experts from some of the world's leading global companies recognize the importance PwC places on building relationships and creating value for our clients and our people. Our leadership strongly supports collaboration and knowledge sharing and our increase in ranking in the 2010 MAKE award is recognition that we're making good progress."

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Royal Dutch Shell (The Netherlands)

Royal Dutch Shell, created in 1907, is a global group of energy and petrochemicals companies.

The company has annual sales of $278.2 billion (2009) and employs about 101,000 people working in more than 90 countries. Royal Dutch Shell Group's goal is to meet the energy needs of society, in ways that are economically, socially and environmentally viable, now and in the future.

The 2010 Global MAKE panel has recognized Royal Dutch Shell for maximizing enterprise intellectual capital, and creating value from managing customer/stakeholder knowledge. Royal Dutch Shell is a nine-time Global MAKE Winner.

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Samsung (South Korea)

Samsung is a world leader in electronics, finance, trade and services. Samsung is South Korea's largest conglomerate and includes Samsung Electronics, Samsung Card, Samsung Life Insurance, Samsung SDS (IT services), Samsung Securities and trading arm Samsung C&T Corporation. The Group employs over 275,000 people worldwide, with 2008 sales of $173.4 billion.

The 2010 Global MAKE panel has recognized the Samsung for developing knowledge-based products/service/solutions, and creating value based on customer knowledge. This is the seventh consecutive year that the company has been recognized as a Global MAKE Winner.

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Schlumberger (France/United States)

Schlumberger is the world's leading oilfield services company supplying technology, information solutions and integrated project management that optimize performance for customers working in the international oil and gas industry. Founded in 1927, the company employs over 105,000 people of more than 140 nationalities who are working in 80 countries.

With 25 research and engineering facilities worldwide, the company places a strong emphasis on developing innovative technology that adds value for its customers. In 2009, Schlumberger invested 3.5% of its $22.7 billion annual sales in R&D. Schlumberger has principal offices in Paris, Houston and The Hague.

Schlumberger is recognized in the 2010 Global MAKE study for developing knowledge workers through senior management leadership (1st place), and creating an enterprise-wide collaborative knowledge-sharing environment. Schlumberger is a four-time Global MAKE Winner.

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Siemens (Germany)

With 405,000 employees, Siemens is a global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, operating in the industry, energy and healthcare sectors. Since 1847, Siemens has stood for technological excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality.

The company is the world's largest provider of environmental technologies, generating some $37.8 billion -- more than one-third of its total revenue -- from green products and solutions.

In fiscal year 2010 (ending on September 30, 2010), sales totaled $102.6 billion. The 2010 Global MAKE panel has recognized Siemens for developing new products/services/solutions, and creating an enterprise-wide collaborative knowledge-sharing environment. Siemens is a nine-time Global MAKE Winner.

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Telefonica (Spain)

Telefonica provides fixed and mobile telecommunications services across 25 European and Latin American countries. Its fixed-line services include traditional voice, Internet access, cable and satellite television, enterprise networking and hosting, and wholesale services. Its mobile business encompasses voice, messaging and corporate infrastructure services.

Telefonica's Spanish unit has around 24 million mobile users, 6 million Internet and data access subscribers, and more than one-half million pay TV users. The company's annual sales are US $83.7 billion and it employs over 250,000 people.

Telefonica is cited in this year's Global MAKE study for developing new products/services/solutions, and creating a learning organization (1st place). This is the first time that Telefonica has been recognized as a Global MAKE Winner.

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Apart from Infosys Technologies, MindTree Consulting, Tata Group and Wipro, the other Indian companies which are among the most admired knowledge enterprises in India are:

Eureka Forbes

Eureka Forbes, part of the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, is a US $275 million, multi-product and multi-channel corporation. Founded in 1982, the company is the Indian leader in the marketing of domestic and industrial water purification systems, vacuum cleaners, air purifiers and security solutions. Eureka Forbes claims to be Asia's largest direct sales organization with 7,000 direct personnel, serving more than 131 cities and 398 towns across India.

The firm also has a 10,000-strong dealer sales network and over 58 distributors in its Industrial Sales Network. The company strives to provide the best after-sales service with over 1,500 service centers and as many as 4,500 company-trained technicians who visit over 20,000 Indian homes daily.

The 2010 Indian MAKE panel has recognized Eureka Forbes for creating value from customer knowledge. Eureka Forbes is a six-time Indian MAKE Winner (2005-2010).

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Larsen & Toubro (Engineering & Construction Division)

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is a US $9.9 billion technology, engineering, construction and manufacturing company. It is one of the largest firms in India's private sector. The Engineering and Construction (E&C) Division forms the biggest segment in the company's business portfolio, employing more than 2,500 people.

ECD provides an integrated service involving process technology, basic and detailed engineering, modular fabrication, procurement, project management, construction and commissioning.

The 2010 Indian MAKE panel has recognized Larsen & Toubro ECD for developing knowledge workers through senior management leadership, and developing new products/services/solutions.

Larsen & Toubro ECD is a three-time Indian MAKE Winner (2007, 2009, 2010).

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Tata Consultancy Services

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is a leading information technology consulting, services and business process outsourcing organization. Founded in 1968, TCS has annual sales of US $6.3 billion (fiscal year ending March 31 2010) and employs over 160,000 people located in 42 countries.

TCS has engineered some of the world's most complex applications and next-generation IT infrastructures. TCS's 'web of participation' structure enables the company to maximize the benefits of its depth, diversity and delivery capability to offer innovative solutions across business and technology domains.

Tata Consultancy Services is a six-time Indian MAKE Winner (2005-2010).

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Tata Steel

Established in 1907 by its founder J N Tata, Tata Steel is India's largest integrated private sector steel company with annual sales of US $21.6 billion (fiscal year ending March 31, 2010) and over 80,000 employees.

Over the years, Tata Steel has emerged as a thriving, nimble, steel enterprise due to its ability to transform itself rapidly to meet the challenges of a highly competitive global economy and commitment to becoming a supplier of choice by delighting its customers with services and products. Tata Steel's vision is to be the global steel industry benchmark for Value Creation and Corporate Citizenship.