CBS Respondent data: format and description of the record
Universe: Survey respondents (CEO/GMs and Board Chairs). Respondents from worker coops
(FirmCoopType=”WORKER”) are excluded.
File Format: One record per respondent, excluding data that could permit identication of individual
respondents.
CQ Variables: Certain fairly open-ended survey questions, identified below, are denoted as Coded
Qualitative (or CQ) questions. Following the interview the interviewer returned to those responses and
coded them on a 1-5 scale. The criteria for this coding are described below for each of the CQ variables.
CQ variables are identified in variable names and descriptions below. Soon thereafter the same
responses were both evaluated and recoded by an “independent” coder who is not in the pool of
interviewers. Following the independent review, the original CQ responses were again recoded by
another member of the interviewer pool. This “secondary” coder did not have access to either the
original interviewer’s or the independent coder’s evaluation or scoring.
Survey Sections: The survey instruments are thematically organized into 10 sections of questions.
At the beginning of each section the interviewer records the date and time. Those values are retained in
this dataset. The variables derived from the questions asked in those sections are organized on the
record just following the section timing variable. The last of the variables derived from section 10 of the
questionnaires is “IfDidNotExist”.
Variables: For the most part, the CEO/GM and Board Chair were asked the same questions.
Exceptions are noted in the variable descriptions. (The Board Chair has no questions in section 4 of the
questionnaire and the CEO/GM has no questions in section 10.) Variables from a survey question that
the respondent was not asked have NULL values in the database source. Nearly all the variables on the
record following those derived from the questions in section 10 of the questionnaire are related to the
independent and secondary coding of the CQ variable responses.
The variables InterviewerEval and IndependentEval are subjective evaluations of the quality of the
interview by the original interviewer and the independent coder, respectively. Interviewers’ and
recoders’ IDs are also included.
Categorical Variable Values: Click on the “Values” internal hyperlinks below.
Missing Values: There is a certain incidence of the database NULL (nonexistent) value in all
variables. In numeric and categorical variables the following negative integer codes have a consistent
meaning:
-7=N/A
-8=Don’t Know
-9=Refused
Survey ID


Description: Unique arbitrary ID of the survey
Format: integer
PersonID
 Description: Unique arbitrary ID of respondent
 Format: integer
ListenConduct
 Description: Is the interviewer conducting the interview or listening to a recording?
 Format: alpha
Section1Time
 Description: Date/time at which Section 1 of the survey was begun.
 Format: Date/time
Educ



Description: What was the highest level of education respondent completed?
Format: integer
Values
YrsEmp
 Description: How many years has respondent been employed since last degree? (CEO/GM only)
 Format: integer
YrsAtFirm
 Description: How many years has respondent worked at current company? (CEO/GM only)
 Format: integer
YrsAsCEO
 Description: How many years has respondent worked at this company as CEO/GM? (CEO/GM
only)
 Format: integer
PrevCoop
 Description: Has respondent worked in another member-owned business before this one?
(CEO/GM only)
 Format: alpha (Y/N)
Years


Description: If YES to [PrevCoop], how many years has respondent worked in member-owned
businesses? (CEO/GM only)
Format: integer
OtherMemberships


Description: Does respondent have memberships in any other member-owned businesses? (BC
only)
Format: alpha (Y/N)
ListMemberships
 Description: Does respondent have memberships in any other member-owned businesses? (BC
only)
 Format: alpha
FirstExposure
 Description: What was respondent's first exposure to member-owned businesses?
 Format: integer
 Values
FirstExposureComments
 Description: If OTHER to [FirstExposure], explain.
 Format: alpha
Age


Description: Respondent’s current age
Format: integer
Section2Time
 Description: Date/time at which Section 2 of the survey was begun.
 Format: Date/time
MgmtTeam
 Description: Respondent's description of management team. (CEO/GM only)
 Format: alpha
NumMgmt
 Description: How many people report directly to respondent? (CEO/GM only)
 Format: integer
Compete
 Description: How does being a cooperative help respondent's firm compete in the marketplace?
 Format: alpha
Section3Time
 Description: Date/time at which Section 3 of the survey was begun.
 Format: Date/time
HetGroups
 Description: In some cooperative businesses, differences across members result in several
interest groups of members. List and describe groups in your firm.
 Format: alpha
HetComments
 Description: Other comments about groups in the firm. Followup to [HetGroups].
 Format: alpha
CQHet
 Description: CQ score relating to identifiable separate interest groups within the firm.
 Format: integer
 Values
Section4Time
 Description: Date/time at which Section 4 of the survey was begun.
 Format: Date/time
CEOMemberTalk
 Description: How many hours per month does respondent spend talking to members who are
not on the board? (CEO/GM only).
 Format: integer
VoterTurnout
 Description: What percentage of members voted in the last election? (CEO/GM only)
 Format: real
AnnMtgTurnout
 Description: What percentage of members attended the last annual meeting? (CEO/GM only)
 Format: real
Participation
 Description: What does your firm do to encourage member participation in governance?
(CEO/GM only)
 Format: alpha
CQParticipation
 Description: CQ score relating to what the firm does to encourage member participation in
governance. (CEO/GM only)
 Format: integer
 Values
Section5Time
 Description: Date/time at which Section 5 of the survey was begun.
 Format: Date/time
CQScreening
 Description: CQ score relating to nomination and selection of board members.
 Format: integer
 Values
Screening


Description: How are your board members nominated and selected? Do candidates selfnominate or are they suggested by others? Who suggests them and in what context? How likely
is it that someone not familiar or selected by the board could win an election?
Format: alpha
CQCEOScreen
 Description: CQ score relating to CEO/GM's role in nominating board candidate.
 Format: integer
 Values
CEOScreen
 Description: What role does the CEO/GM play in nominating board candidates? How strongly
does CEO/GM influence the decsions of the nominating committee or the selection of
candidates?
 Format: alpha
Section6Time
 Description: Date/time at which Section 6 of the survey was begun.
 Format: Date/time
Agenda
 Description: Who sets the agenda for board meetings?
 Format: integer
 Values
AgendaComments
 Description: If OTHER to [Agenda], explain.
 Format: alpha
MtgPrep
 Description: How many hours does respondent spend preparing for each board meeting?
 Format: integer
StaffMtgPrep
 Description: How many hours of other staff time is devoted to preparing for each board
meeting? (CEO/GM only)
 Format: integer
CQBoardPrep
 Description: CQ score on how prepared board members are for meetings.
 Format: integer
 Values
BoardPrep
 Description: How prepared are board members for meetings?
 Format: alpha
CQTMTSelect
 Description: CQ score on board's involvement in selecting the CEO/GM's top management
team.
 Format: integer
 Values
TMTSelect
 Description: Is the board involved in the selection of the CEO/GM's top management team?
Does it play a part in interviewing? Does it give opinions on who should be hired or have any
other influence?
 Format: alpha
CQBrdBudget
 Description: CQ score relating to the board's role in creating and monitoring the firm's budget.
 Format: integer
 Values
BrdBudget
 Description: How would respondent describe the board's role in creating and monitoring the
firm's budget? Does participate in developing a budget? Does it actively monitor the budget?
What could the board do to remedy what it sees as a problem with the budget?
 Format: alpha
CQDiscretSp
 Description: CQ score on limiting and controlling the CEO/GM's discretionary spending.
 Format: integer
 Values
DiscretSp
 Description: How is the CEO/GM's discretionary spending limited and controlled? Is there a
dollar limit?
 Format: alpha
Section7Time
 Description: Date/time at which Section 7 of the survey was begun.
 Format: Date/time
CQRespOut
 Description: CQ score relating to respondent's communication about firm business with board
members outside board meetings.
 Format: integer
 Values
RespOut
 Description: Does respondent communicate about firm business with one or more board
members outside board meetings? If YES, how often?
 Format: alpha
CQMgmtOut
 Description: CQ score relating to board members communicating with management other than
CEO/GM outside board meetings.
 Format: integer
 Values
MgmtOut
 Description: Do members of the board communicate about firm business with management
other than the CEO/GM outside board meetings? If YES, how often?
 Format: alpha
MgmtOutWhy
 Description: If YES to [MgmtOut], what is the purpose of the contacts?
 Format: integer
 Values
MgmtOutOther
 Description: If OTHER to [MgmtOutWhy], explain.
 Format: alpha
Section8Time
 Description: Date/time at which Section 8 of the survey was begun.
 Format: Date/time
CQStrategyRole
 Description: CQ score relating to board's role in setting strategy .
 Format: integer
 Values
StrategyRole
 Description: What is the board's role in setting strategy? When was the last time the board
came to management with an initiative? Has the board ever opposed a CEO/GM initiative?
 Format: alpha
Section9Time
 Description: Date/time at which Section 9 of the survey was begun.
 Format: Date/time
AssessCEO
 Description: Summarize how the board evaluates CEO/GM performance.
 Format: alpha
HiredLast5Yrs
 Description: Has the firm hired a new CEO/GM in the past 5 years? (BC only)
 Format: alpha (Y/N)
Section10Time
 Description: Date/time at which Section 10 of the survey was begun. (BC only)
 Format: Date/time
BoardComp1
 Description: How is the board compensated? Per Diem. (BC only)
 Format: boolean
BoardComp2
 Description: How is the board compensated? Salary. (BC only)
 Format: boolean
BoardComp3
 Description: How is the board compensated? Other. (BC only)
 Format: boolean
BoardComp4
 Description: How is the board compensated? Don't Know. (BC only)
 Format: boolean
BoardComp5
 Description: How is the board compensated? Refused. (BC only)
 Format: boolean
BoardComp6
 Description: How is the board compensated? Performance incentive. (BC only)
 Format: boolean
BoardComp7
 Description: How is the board compensated? Product discount. (BC only)
 Format: boolean
BoardComp8
 Description: How is the board compensated? Volunteer. (BC only)
 Format: boolean
BoardSalary
 Description: For a typical board member what is the total annual compensation? (BC only)
 Format: integer
AcceptNom1
 Description: Why did you accept nomination to be on this board? Opportunity to learn. (BC
only)
 Format: boolean
AcceptNom2


Description: Why did you accept nomination to be on this board? Challenge as Director. (BC
only)
Format: boolean
AcceptNom3
 Description: Why did you accept nomination to be on this board? Quality of management. (BC
only)
 Format: boolean
AcceptNom4
 Description: Why did you accept nomination to be on this board? Potential growth of firm. (BC
only)
 Format: boolean
AcceptNom5
 Description: Why did you accept nomination to be on this board? Opportunity to work with
board. (BC only)
 Format: boolean
AcceptNom6
 Description: Why did you accept nomination to be on this board? Dissatisfaction with this
cooperative. (BC only)
 Format: boolean
AcceptNom7
 Description: Why did you accept nomination to be on this board? Other. (BC only)
 Format: boolean
AcceptNom8
 Description: Why did you accept nomination to be on this board? Don't Know. (BC only)
 Format: boolean
AcceptNom9
 Description: Why did you accept nomination to be on this board? Refused. (BC only)
 Format: boolean
AcceptNomComments
 Description: If [AcceptNom7] is chosen (i.e., OTHER), explain. (BC only)
 Format: alpha
OtherBoards
 Description: Has respondent served on other boards? Includes both business and community
boards. (BC only)
 Format: alpha (Y/N)
ServiceUse
 Description: How often does respondent use the services of this cooperative? (BC only)
 Format: integer

Values
CQIfDidNotExist
 Description: CQ score relating to consequences to Board Chair if this organization did not exist.
(BC only)
 Format: integer
 Values
IfDidNotExist
 Description: If this organization did not exist, what would be the personal consequences to
respondent? (BC only)
 Format: alpha
SecCQScorer
 Description: Unique arbitrary ID number of secondary CQ scorer.
 Format: integer
SecHet
 Description: Secondary CQ score relating to identifiable separate interest groups in the firm.
 Format: integer
 Values
SecParticipation
 Description: Secondary CQ score relating to what the firm does to encourage member
participation in governance. (CEO/GM only)
 Format: integer
 Values
SecScreening
 Description: Secondary CQ score relating to nomination and selection of board members.
 Format: integer
 Values
SecCEOScreen
 Description: Secondary CQ score relating to CEO/GM's role in nominating board candidates.
 Format: integer
 Values
SecBoardPrep
 Description: Secondary CQ score on how prepared board members are for meetings.
 Format: integer
 Values
SecTMTSelect
 Description: Secondary CQ score on board's involvement in selecting the CEO/GM's top
management team.
 Format: integer
 Values
SecBrdBudget
 Description: Secondary CQ score relating to the board's role in creating and monitoring the
firm's budget.
 Format: integer
 Values
SecDiscretSp
 Description: Secondary CQ score on limiting and controlling the CEO/GM's discretionary
spending.
 Format: integer
 Values
SecRespOut
 Description: Secondary CQ score relating to respondent's communication about firm business
with board members outside board meetings.
 Format: integer
 Values
SecMgmtOut
 Description: Secondary CQ score relating to board members communicating with management
other than CEO/GM outside board meetings.
 Format: integer
 Values
SecStrategyRole
 Description: Secondary CQ score relating to board's role in setting strategy.
 Format: integer
 Values
SecIfDidNotExist
 Description: Secondary CQ score relating to consequences to Board Chair if this organization did
not exist. (BC only)
 Format: integer
 Values
IndCQScorer
 Description: Unique arbitrary ID number of independent CQ scorer.
 Format: integer
IndHet
 Description: Independent CQ score relating to identifiable separate interest groups within the
firm.
 Format: integer
 Values
IndParticipation



Description: Independent CQ score relating to what the firm does to encourage member
participation in governance. (CEO/GM only)
Format: integer
Values
IndScreening
 Description: Independent CQ score relating to nomination and selection of board members.
 Format: integer
 Values
IndCEOScreen
 Description: Independent CQ score relating to CEO/GM's role in nominating board candidates.
 Format: integer
 Values
IndBoardPrep
 Description: Independent CQ score on how prepared board members are for meetings.
 Format: integer
 Values
IndTMTSelect
 Description: Independent CQ score on board's involvement in selecting the CEO/GM's top
management team.
 Format: integer
 Values
IndBrdBudget
 Description: Independent CQ score relating to the board's role in creating and monitoring the
firm's budget.
 Format: integer
 Values
IndDiscretSp
 Description: Independent CQ score on limiting and controlling the CEO/GM's discretionary
spending.
 Format: integer
 Values
IndRespOut
 Description: Independent CQ score relating to respondent's communication about firm business
with board members outside board meetings.
 Format: integer
 Values
IndMgmtOut
 Description: Independent CQ score relating to board members communicating with
management other than CEO/GM outside board meetings.
 Format: integer

Values
IndStrategyRole
 Description: Independent CQ score relating to board's role in setting strategy.
 Format: integer
 Values
IndIfDidNotExist
 Description: Independent CQ score relating to consequences to Board Chair if this organization
did not exist. (BC only)
 Format: integer
 Values
IndependentEval
 Description: Independent scorer's evaluation of primary interviewer's presentation.
 Format: integer
 Values
FirmID
 Description: Unique arbitrary ID of the respondent’s firm. Matches FirmID in FirmPublic
dataset.
 Format: integer
PositionID
 Description: Respondent’s position in firm
 Format: integer
 Values
InterviewerID
 Description: Unique arbitrary ID of the interviewer
 Format: integer
InterviewerEval
 Description: Interviewer’s evaluation of the quality of the interview.
 Format: integer
 Values
Version
 Description: Month and year of dataset creation
 Format: alpha
Appendix: Bookmarks to Values of Categorical Variables
PositionID values
2=CEO/GM
3=Board Chair
Educ values
1=No degree
2=Undergraduate degree
3=Graduate degree
FirstExposure values
1=Family
2=Work
3=Both
4=Other
Agenda values
1=CEO only
2=CEO with chair approval
3=Chair with CEO approval
4=Chair only
5=Other
ServiceUse values
1=Daily
2=Weekly
3=Monthly
4=Annually
MgmtOutWhy values
1=Access service
2=Exercise management oversight
3=Other
Heterogeneity CQ values
Q: “Are there easily identifiable interest groups of members within your cooperative?”
1=Respondent doesn’t immediately recognize diversity of interest groups among
members. Disagreements between members are not due to unalterable characteristics.
3=Recognition of two or more types of members with commonly opposing viewpoints. Compromises are
usually reached with only minor difficulty, and company’s profitability not affected.
5=Heterogeneity is one of the greatest difficulties faced by the organization. Respondent can recall an
occasion where membership heterogeneity has threatened the survival of the firm.
Participation CQ values
Q: “What does your firm do to encourage member participation in governance?
1=Firm does not encourage members to provide feedback in a way that is beyond a typical client
relationship.
3=Firm engages in common practices for information: sends a regular newsletter, has contact
information of CEO & Board public, but does not actively pursue feedback.
5=Firm dedicates a substantial amount of dollars/time to consciously encourage membership
involvement and maintaining lines of communication between firm and members.
Board Nomination CQ values
Q: “How are your board members nominated and selected?”
1=Member candidates come from the membership without discussion or suggestions from the board.
3=Many candidates are suggested from the board, and encouraged to run, but their likelihood to win is
not determined by the board’s support.
5=The board exercises significant influence on the nominating and selection process.
CEO Role in Board Nomination CQ values
Q: “What role does the CEO play in nominating board candidates?”
1=The CEO has no role on the nominating committee or during the board’s discussion of potential
candidates.
3=The CEO supports the nominating committee but is not involved in decision-making.
5=The CEO plays an active role in suggesting and screening candidates.
Board Preparation for Meetings CQ values
Q: “How prepared are board members for meetings?”
1=One or two members come having read the material and with prepared questions.
3=Most members are prepared: one or two open their board packets right before meeting.
5=Everyone has read the materials and comes prepared with questions and concerns.
Board Involvement in Selecting Management Team CQ values
Q: “Is the board involved in the selection of the CEO’s top management team?”
1=Not at all. The board has no decision-making function with regard to the CEOs management team.
3=The board provides input, but the CEO makes the decision on hiring.
5=The board is involved directly in the decision-making on hiring the CEO’s management team.
Board’s Role in Budgeting CQ values
Q: “How would you describe the board’s role in creating and monitoring the firm’s budget?”
1=The board is not informed of budgetary changes or involved in preparation of the annual budget.
3=The board approves the annual budget and receives regular financial reports. The board is informed
of budgetary changes during the year, and may ask questions. The board is unlikely to oppose a CEO
recommendation for the annual budget, or changes during the year.
5=The board is involved in preparation of the budget (perhaps through committees), and actively
monitors the financials. The board has sometimes rejected a CEO recommendation for a change in the
budget.
Control CEO Discretionary Spending CQ values
Q: “Describe how CEO discretionary spending is limited and controlled.”
1=None: the CEO reports budgetary changes, but the board doesn’t limit or control the CEO’s spending.
3=There is “sort of a limit” on the CEO’s discretion to make budgetary changes. The CEO asks the Board
for approval of big items, but the board does not often say no.
5=The board has set strict monetary guidelines on the CEO’s discretion to make budgetary changes.
Respondent Communicates with Board Members outside Meetings CQ values
Q: “Do you communicate about firm business with one or more board members outside board
meetings?”
1=Respondent rarely discusses firm business with board members outside of board meetings or
committee meetings.
3=Respondent occasionally (3-4 times per month) discusses firm business with board members outside
of board or committee meetings.
5=Respondent frequently speaks with board members about firm business outside of board or
committee meetings.
Board Members Communicate with Management outside Meetings CQ values
Q: “Do members of the board communicate about firm business with management other than the CEO
outside of the board meetings?”
1=Board members are actively discouraged from discussing firm business with management other than
the CEO outside of board or committee meetings.
3=Board members occasionally (1-2 times per month) discuss firm business with management other
than the CEO outside of board or committee meetings.
5=Board members frequently discuss firm business with management other than the CEO outside of
board or committee meetings.
Board’s Role in Setting Strategy CQ values
Q: “What is the board of directors’ role in setting strategy?”
1=Passive.
3=Advisory/Collaborative
5=Decision maker
If Organization Did Not Exist CQ values
Q: “If this organization did not exist, what personally would be the consequences to you?”
1=It would have no effect whatsoever.
3=It might have some effect but wouldn’t severely alter life or livelihood.
5=It would severely affect personal life and/or business.
InterviewerEval and IndependentEval values
1=Poor
2=Not very good
3=Fair
4=Good
5=Excellent