Samsung Electronics was placed third among global IT firms in terms of market capitalization last year, according to a report by a local IT policy and research body on Monday.

The National IT Industry Promotion Agency said that Samsung rose to third place, up from fifth in 2011. Apple Inc. was ranked No. 1 and Google was No. 2.

The agency obtained the data using Reuters Knowledge, a Web-based information and analytics tool.

Microsoft and IBM, which ranked second and third in 2011, respectively, took fourth and fifth place in 2012 in terms of total market value.

Oracle, Qualcomm, Cisco, Intel, SAP and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing also reached in the top 10 list, it said.

“The market capitalization of firms such as Microsoft, Intel, HP and Cisco that led the PC and fixed-line Internet era are seeing a falling trend, whereas those providing directions in mobile and smart innovation like Apple, Google, Samsung and Qualcomm are on a constant rise,” said NIPA officials.

“Responses to trends of mobile and smart innovations have become core factors in determining the value of enterprises. Other aspects like big data, cloud and social will also decide the future market value of the IT industry.”

By Cho Ji-hyun
(sharon@heraldcorp.com)