Here are the complete results from our 2005 survey. You must be an ASBPE member to access this information.
[private]
Methodology
Some 360 B-to-B magazines have ASBPE members. The survey invitation was sent via SurveyMonkey to each magazine’s highest-ranking editorial staff member who belongs to ASBPE. Responses came from 157 members (representing 157 magazines), a 43.6% response rate to a long, 39-question, online survey. While the results of this survey are not valid for the entire population of B2B editors, they offer a solid picture of what ASBPE members feel.
Answers to multiple-choice questions appear in the charts below.
10. Should an ethics code primarily 1) be a general statement of principles, or 2) take a stand on specific issues, such as, but not limited to, acceptance of gifts from sources or advertisers?
Response Percent
Response Total
Primarily a general statement of principles.
14.1%
22
Primarily specific rules.
3.2%
5
Both a general statement of principles and specific rules.
82.7%
129
Total Respondents
156
(skipped this question)
1
11. If you DO have an editorial code of ethics, do you feel your Company/Organization “backs you up” or “buys into” having the code?
Response Percent
Response Total
Yes
64.1%
66
No
3.9%
4
Sometimes
32%
33
Total Respondents
103
(skipped this question)
54
12. Please explain your answer to Question 11 above.
13. If you do NOT have an editorial code of ethics, do you feel your Company/Organization “backs you up” or “buys into” having an “ethical editorial environment”?
Response Percent
Response Total
Yes
53.1%
43
No
0%
0
Sometimes
46.9%
38
Total Respondents
81
(skipped this question)
76
14. Please explain your answer to Question 13 above.
15. If you do NOT have an editorial code of ethics or ethical editorial environment, WHAT MIGHT IT TAKE TO GET your Magazine or Company/Organization to “back you up” or “buy into” having a code or “ethical editorial environment”?
Total Respondents
39
(skipped this question)
118
16. If either your Magazine or your Company/Organization DOES have a code of ethics, who worked on its DEVELOPMENT? (Check all that apply.)
17. If either your Magazine or your Company/Organization DOES have a code of ethics, did you rely on any of the following organization’s code as a TEMPLATE FOR DEVELOPMENT? (Check all that apply.)
Response Percent
Response Total
Yes, American Business Media (ABM)
26%
27
Yes, American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE)
30.8%
32
Yes, American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME)
25%
26
Yes, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)
8.7%
9
We relied totally on ourselves
13.5%
14
Don’t know
31.7%
33
Other (please specify)
12.5%
13
Total Respondents
104
(skipped this question)
53
18. If you used any of the following codes, please rate their USEFULNESS.
American Business Media (ABM)
American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE)
American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME)
Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)
Response Average
Very Useful
17% (8)
43% (20)
26% (12)
13% (6)
2.35
Useful
23% (13)
38% (21)
23% (13)
16% (9)
2.32
Somewhat Useful
17% (4)
42% (10)
29% (7)
12% (3)
2.38
Not Very Useful
57% (4)
14% (1)
29% (2)
0% (0)
1.71
Not Aware or Very Much Aware of It
25% (6)
12% (3)
17% (4)
46% (11)
2.83
Total Respondents
76
(skipped this question)
81
19. Who was involved in APPROVING the FINAL code of ethics that was developed for your magazine’s use (check all that apply)?
20. Does your Magazine or Company/Organization PUBLISH YOUR CODE of ethics, or other ethical principles, for your readers to see? Do you have “transparency”?
Response Percent
Response Total
Yes
12.6%
14
No
84.7%
94
If “Yes,” where? If “No,” why not?
36.9%
41
Total Respondents
111
(skipped this question)
46
21. Have you ever been aware of any member of your EDITORIAL STAFF being UNETHICAL?
Response Percent
Response Total
Yes
22.4%
34
No
77.6%
118
Total Respondents
152
(skipped this question)
5
22. Have you ever been aware of your PUBLISHER (the person) being UNETHICAL?
Response Percent
Response Total
Yes
19%
29
No
81%
124
Total Respondents
153
(skipped this question)
4
23. Have you ever been aware of any member of your SALES STAFF being UNETHICAL?
Response Percent
Response Total
Yes
39.2%
60
No
60.8%
93
Total Respondents
153
(skipped this question)
4
24. Have you ever been aware of any of your OTHER TOP ORGANIZATION EXECUTIVES (e.g. CEO, President, Board, Exec. VP, Exec. Director) being UNETHICAL?
Response Percent
Response Total
Yes
18.8%
29
No
81.2%
125
Total Respondents
154
(skipped this question)
3
25. What ethical provisions do you feel are breached the most? By what job titles? Why do you think this is so?
33. Does your code of ethics or “ethical editorial environment” also apply to your Web site, blogs, or e-newsletters? (check all that apply)
Response Percent
Response Total
Yes, Web Site
84.5%
109
Yes, Blogs
24%
31
Yes, E-Newsletters
65.1%
84
None of the above
10.9%
14
Yes, Other (please specify)
5.4%
7
Total Respondents
129
(skipped this question)
28
34. If your code of ethics or “ethical editorial environment” DOES NOT also apply to your Web site, blogs, or e-newsletters, which ones does it not apply to and why?
38. If you have a code that you use, would you be kind enough to forward it to info@asbpe.org?
Response Percent
Response Total
Yes
23.9%
16
No
41.8%
28
Maybe
34.3%
23
Total Respondents
67
(skipped this question)
90
39. If you would be willing to talk more about ethics issues, please provide your name, job title, magazine name, phone number and email address below. This information will remain confidential.
