National University of Ireland, Maynooth
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Attitudes of millennials toward corporate responsibility: a 28-society multilevel analysis
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We examined the attitudes of millennial-aged business students toward economic, social and environmental corporate responsibility (CR). Currently, these individuals are of an age that they have entered the workforce and are now ascending or have ascended into roles of leadership in which they have decision-making power that influences their company’s CR agenda and implementation. Thus, following the ecological systems perspective, we tested both the macro influence of cultural values (survival/self-expression and traditional/secular-rational values) and structural forces (income inequality, welfare socialism and environmental vulnerability) on these individuals’ attitudes toward CR.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a multilevel study of 3,572 millennial-aged students from 28 Asian, American, Australasian and European societies. We analyzed the data collected in 2003–2009 using hierarchical linear modeling.
Findings
In our multilevel analyses, we found that survival/self-expression values were negatively related to economic CR and positively related to social CR while traditional/secular-rational values was negatively related to social CR. We also found that welfare socialism was positively related to environmental CR but negatively related to economic CR while environmental vulnerability was not related to any CR. Lastly, income equality was positively related to social CR but not economic or environment responsibilities. In sum, we found that both culture-based and structure-based macro factors, to varying extents, shape the attitudes of millennial-aged students on CR in our sample.
Originality/value
Our study is grounded in the ecological systems theory framework, combined with research on culture, politico-economics and environmental studies. This provides a multidisciplinary perspective for evaluating and investigating the impact that societal (macro-level) factors have on shaping attitudes toward businesses’ engagement in economic, social and environmental responsibility activities. Additionally, our multilevel research design allows for more precise findings compared to a single-level, country-by-country assessment
Walls with no pictures – the alternative interiority of Séamas Mac Annaidh’s short stories
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Mythology Meets Technology: Transforming a 2D Game into a Virtual Reality Journey for Language Reconnection
Get PDFThis paper explores the transformation of the 2D
language learning game, Cipher, into a 3D Virtual Reality (VR)
experience to enhance Irish language learning and reconnection.
Despite the Irish language's official status, its use is limited in
day-to-day life, necessitating innovative educational methods.
The VR adaptation integrates sociocultural theory and elements
of Irish folklore and mythology to create an immersive learning
environment. A study with 20 participants from primary and
secondary schools was undertaken to evaluate user satisfaction
with the VR game. Preliminary results show that the VR version
enhances engagement and motivation compared to the earlier
2D evaluations. This research demonstrates the potential of VR
to create transformative educational and cultural experiences in
language learning. Further research is required to investigate its
impact on learning
“The Magic of Inclusion: Transformative Action for Sustainability Education”
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Acute effects of commercial energy drink consumption on exercise performance and cardiovascular safety: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to examine the acute effects of a non-caloric energy drink (C4E) compared to a traditional sugar-containing energy drink (MED) and non-caloric placebo (PLA) on exercise performance and cardiovascular safety. Thirty healthy, physically active males (25 ± 4 y) completed three experimental visits under semi-fasted conditions (5–10 h) and in randomized order, during which they consumed C4E, MED, or PLA matched for volume, appearance, taste, and mouthfeel. One hour after drink consumption, participants completed a maximal, graded exercise test (GXT) with measurement of pulmonary gases, an isometric leg extension fatigue test (ISOFTG), and had their cardiac electrical activity (ECG), leg blood flow (LBF), and blood pressure (BP) measured throughout the visit. Neither MED nor C4E had an ergogenic effect on maximal oxygen consumption, time to exhaustion, or peak power during the GXT (p > 0.05). Compared to PLA, MED reduced fat oxidation (respiratory exchange ratio (RER) +0.030 ± 0.01; p = 0.026) during the GXT and did not influence ISOFTG performance. Compared to PLA, C4E did not alter RER (p = 0.94) and improved impulse during the ISOFTG (+0.658 ± 0.25 V·s; p = 0.032). Relative to MED, C4E did not significantly improve gas exchange threshold (p = 0.05–0.07). Both MED and C4E increased systolic BP at rest (+7.1 ± 1.2 mmHg; p < 0.001 and + 5.7 ± 1.0 mmHg; p < 0.001, respectively), C4E increased SBP post-GXT (+13.3 ± 3.8 mmHg; p < 0.001), and MED increased SBP during recovery (+3.2 ± 1.1 mmHg; p < 0.001). Neither MED nor C4E influenced ECG measures (p ≥ 0.08) or LBF (p = 0.37) compared to PLA. C4E may be more efficacious for improving performance in resistance-type tasks without altering fat oxidation under semi-fasted conditions during fatiguing exercise bouts, but promotes similar changes in BP and HR to MED
2D and 3D anticancer properties of C2-functionalised glucosamine-Pt (IV) prodrugs based on cisplatin scaffold
Get PDFA series of C2-functionalied Pt (IV) glycoconjugates based on glucosamine have been synthesised, characterised and tested as anticancer agents on a series of different 2D and 3D cancer cell lines. The carbohydrate will act as a targeted delivery system to improve the selectivity, exploiting the Warburg Effect and the GLUTs receptors that are overexpressed in most of the cancer cells. The hydroxyl at C2 of the carbohydrates does not participate in hydrogen bonding with the GLUTs receptors, making C2 an attractive position for drug conjugation as seen in literature. In this study, we use the amino functionality at the C2 position in glucosamine and Copper-catalysed Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition “click” (CuAAC) reaction to connect the prodrug Pt (IV) scaffold to the carbohydrate. We have investigated complexes with different linker lengths, as well as acetyl protected and free derivatives. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first series of Pt (IV) glucosamine-conjugates functionalised at C2
The importance of creativity and self-efficacy in enterprise education.
Get PDFEnterprise education is lauded as a mechanism for transferring entrepreneurial skills, mindsets, and tendencies to students. We examine the changing levels of entrepreneurial tendencies of a cohort of students of enterprise education, focusing on entrepreneurial selfefficacy and entrepreneurial intentions. A sample group of undergraduate business students (n=177) were surveyed at the outset and conclusion of a year-long enterprise education module. Results highlight a lower pre-module level of entrepreneurial self-efficacy for female students and a significant increase in their self-efficacy levels after the module. We find entrepreneurial self-efficacy (established before the module and developed during) predicts entrepreneurial intentions and module satisfaction. Creativity training and individual creativity positively affect entrepreneurial intentions and module satisfaction, highlighting the importance of embedding creativity in such a module. These findings are useful to those developing future enterprise curricula
The framing of course design tools for an online pre-service teacher training course to activate ESD in subject teaching
Get PDFThis study explores developing and implementing an online course to integrate Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into the South African Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS). The course design process emphasises the inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) and Sustainable Livelihoods as core components, fostering a transformative learning experience for teachers. Leveraging a Vygotskian action learning schema and expansive learning cycles, the course supports a co-engaged design research methodology to enhance teacher capacity in ESD. A 'theory of change' evaluation framework assesses the course's impact on curriculum strengthening. Key findings indicate that online teacher capacity-building programmes can effectively engage teachers, promote curriculum-activated ESD initiatives, and facilitate deeper integration of IKS and sustainable practices in school teaching. The hybrid design, combining online and face-to-face interactions, fosters a Professional Learning Community (PLC), which enhances teaching practices and learner engagement through realworld sustainability challenges
Peripheral Creator Cultures in India, Ireland, and Turkey
Get PDFDrawing on Indian, Irish, and Turkish YouTube creators’ perceptions of their work, this article focuses on peripheral creator work cultures to broaden the understanding of creator labor precarity. We situate creator labor within not only the platform architectures but also within the geographical specificities of media production, distribution, and consumption. In doing so, we demonstrate that peripheral creators face distinctive struggles for visibility and survival in screen industries that emerge from their heterogeneous sociocultural and linguistic contexts. Based on the interviews with creators and streaming service executives conducted between 2017 and 2023, the findings reveal that creators’ choice of language and place of practice distinctly affects their global reach, visibility, and their ability to sustain a career in screen industries