A new survey published by BusinessWeek has revealed Microsoft is the fifth most innovative company.

The poll, which saw 3,000 executives vote, saw the US giant ahead of gaming rivals Nintendo and Sony, who were voted seventh and ninth respectively.

This year's annual survey by BusinessWeek is the first time all three console manufacturers were in the top ten, with Nintendo climbing an impressive 32 places.

Despite Microsoft's Xbox 360 system, however, the survey only took Microsoft's touch screen technology and search engine into account, making Nintendo officially the highest placed console manufacturer.