Life science giant QuintilesIMS and several other companies with a major presence in the Triangle are among the firms cracking the latest “World’s Most Admired Companies” list from Fortune.

It’s the third straight year QuintilesIMS has made the list, which Fortune has published annually since 1997.

“Being named to FORTUNE’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies is evidence that both our peers and our clients understand the long term strategy and value our organization provides to our clients,” said QuintilesIMS Chairman and CEO Ari Bousbib in a statement. “This honor is built upon the dedication and focus of our more than 50,000 employees around the world to create solutions that help our clients drive healthcare forward.”

Other firms selected include:

  • IBM at No. 24
  • AT&T at No. 37

Not making the top 50 but still selected to the overall list in addition to Quintiles are:

  • ABB
  • Bank of America
  • BB&T
  • Cisco
  • Verizon

The top 10 firms in order 1-10 are:

  • Apple
  • Amazon
  • Starbucks
  • Berkshire Hathaway
  • Disney
  • Alphabet (Google)
  • GE
  • Southwest Airlines
  • Facebook (tied)
  • Microsoft (tied)

Most Admired Company Survey Methodology

Fortune survey partner Korn Ferry Hay Group surveyed 680 companies from 28 countries asking executives, directors and analysts to rate companies within their own industry on nine reputation drivers considered to be crucial to a company’s global success. These drivers include financial soundness, long-term investment value, people management, social responsibility, use of assets, quality of management, quality of products/services, innovation and global competitiveness. A company’s score must rank in the top half of its industry survey to be listed.