5.01.2007 - 12:49pm ET

(CSRwire) ST. LOUIS, MO - May 1, 2007 - IBM today announced a new award in corporate citizenship, recognizing the innovative ways that IBM Business Partners apply technology to make a difference in society.

The IBM PartnerWorld Beacon Award for Corporate Citizenship was announced by Sam Palmisano, chairman and CEO of IBM, in today's opening remarks at IBM's "PartnerWorld" conference for thousands of IBM Business Partners in attendance here.

"As IBM Business Partners grow and expand their reach into new markets, how they interact with the communities where they do business is increasingly important," said Samuel J. Palmisano, chairman and CEO of IBM. "Corporate citizenship is becoming a business imperative, embedded in our strategy and operations, and we believe our business partners share this approach as well."

The award will be given for an innovative information technology solution developed and implemented by an IBM Business Partner in support of corporate citizenship. Areas that will be considered include: environmental affairs, community engagement, human resources and responsible supply chain practices.

In a globally integrated world, IBM believes corporate responsibility transcends borders, cultures and governments. Corporate responsibility is even more important in an environment where the concepts of “global” and “local” have become the blurred. Societal issues are increasingly varied and complex. Innovative approaches and solutions are needed to address them. Globalization has transformed many business processes and extended the workforce beyond its traditional base.

IBM has been collaborating with companies and partners to bring innovative solutions to solve their business needs, but has also been applying that strategy to its philanthropic efforts. “Corporate Citizenship is more than mere generosity its a strategic business imperative according to Stanley Litow, IBM Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Corporate Citizenship -- - its about working in innovative ways to solve community problems like literacy or poverty the same way you solve business problems, using the best talent and technology available and collaborating with others in ways that add real value."

Corporate Responsibility Officer (CRO) Magazine recently ranked IBM No. 6 among the 100 best Corporate Citizens of 2007, and IBM was ranked the No. 3 most trusted company for privacy, according to a new report by the TRUSTe organization. IBM also was recently recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the company's commitment to lower greenhouse gases as the only company to receive two awards for the Climate Leaders program.

"IBM's history of corporate citizenship is in our DNA. It goes back to the founding of our company, but for us its not about simple checkbook philanthropy, it's how you earn your money in the first place, through innovative business practices and leadership that reflects social responsibility," Litow said. "We'd like to inspire a deeper commitment to corporate citizenship by encouraging and then recognizing real leadership in corporate citizenship by our business partners."
IBM will begin granting the annual award beginning in 2008.

The Beacon Awards are an important component in IBM's PartnerWorld program acknowledging the essential role IBM Business Partners play in driving real innovation for their clients and making a difference in today's highly competitive marketplace.

For more information about the IBM PartnerWorld Beacon Awards, including descriptions of the winning entries and details about the finalists, please visit http://www-1.ibm.com/partnerworld/pwhome.nsf/weblook/pw2007_awards.html
For more information about IBM corporate social responsibility, please visit: http://www.ibm.com/ibm/responsibility/index.shtml

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