Ricoh Given World's Highest Rating for Corporate Responsibility.
Ricoh, with Masamitsu Sakurai serving as Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer, was given the highest rating for corporate responsibility in 2004/2005 among 59 companies surveyed in the IT sector. The survey was conducted by oekom research AG of Germany (headquartered in Munich).
The survey covered 59 companies in five categories of the IT sector, comprising 21 semiconductor companies; 8 electronic device and measuring instrument companies; 10 communications equipment companies; 13 computer, peripheral device, and office electronic companies; and 7 producers of consumer electronics and home electric appliances. The 59 companies account for approximately 90% of the total market capital held by the world's IT industry (MSCI World index in terms of market capitalization).
oekom research evaluates the social/cultural and environmental aspects of the companies, weighing as many as 200 factors in accordance with the characteristics of each industry, including the IT, automobile, chemical, energy, food, pharmaceutical, and finance industries, and gives comprehensive ratings based upon its findings. In evaluating the IT industry, the social/cultural and environmental aspects are given a 50% weight each. Ricoh's environmental aspect was given an A- (first among the companies surveyed) and its social/cultural aspect received a B- (tenth among those surveyed), which resulted in the best comprehensive rating of B+, which only Ricoh received. (www.oekom-research.com)
About oekom research AG
oekom research AG, established in 1989, rates the social responsibilities, including environmental efforts, of respective companies. oekom research AG uses a 12-point rating scale, ranging from A+ to D-.
The social/cultural aspect consists of three categories: (1) staff relations, (2) social/cultural management, and (3) external relations. The environmental aspect comprises (1) environmental management, (2) products and services, and (3) eco-efficiency. Companies are evaluated in each of the six categories using the 12-point rating scale. Weighted averages are calculated from the results, giving a comprehensive rating.
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