Business Ethics

This year the 100 Best Corporate Citizens list celebrates its fifth anniversary, and we’re happy to note that 29 firms have placed on the list all five years -- among them Intel (No. 3), Avon Products (No.7), Herman Miller (No. 14), Timberland (No. 17), Cisco Systems (No. 19) Southwest Airlines (No. 22), AT&T (No. 43), Starbucks Coffee (No. 45), Merck (No. 48), and Medtronic (No. 57).

The most consistent performer has been Procter & Gamble. This enduring American icon -- in business in Cincinnati, Ohio since 1837 -- has placed in the top five all five years and this year ranked No.2. Hewlett-Packard has made the top 10 all five years and placed No. 8 this year.

One example of a five-year 100 Best firm is The St. Paul Companies, the 150-year-old liability and property Minnesota insurance firm, which climbed from No. 85 in 2000 to No. 4 this year. Another is Ecolab of St. Paul,