A CLASSROOM-BASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTERVENTION FOR ADOLESCENTS: IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP WITH SELF-EFFICACY, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND ON-TASK BEHAVIOR?

Classroom-based physical activity is a newly explored avenue for providing physical activity opportunities to children within the school, but it is one that is showing academic gains in areas such as on-task behavior. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of pedal desks placed in high school classrooms. Three main objectives were examined: 1) The possible increase in physical activity self-efficacy among high school students in the classroom, 2) the effectiveness of pedal desks on increased physical activity among high school students, and 3) the impact of pedal desks on increasing classroom on-task behavior. Participants included 114 high school students in a traditional high school setting. All of the students were enrolled in two Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) teachers’ classrooms. The design was quasi-experimental. Two teachers and their respective classes were randomly assigned to a treatment or wait list control group. The study included a baseline and 2 waves. Researchers gathered demographic information of students, as well as pre- and post-data on self-efficacy and physical activity participation. On-task behavior of students was also collected daily by researchers via momentary time sampling. Results indicated lower self-efficacy confidence for the treatment group compared to the control group at the end of the study after controlling for initial scores. Significance was also found for heart rate. Limitations and implications are discussed

The effect of Corporate Social Responsibility and certifications on firm financial performance : the case of UK Certified B Corps

The trade-off between profits and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been institutionalized for decades, but perceptions are changing. Certified B Corporations (CBC) are hybrid companies that focus on people, planet and profits at the same time. This thesis strives to investigate the relation between being a CBC and a firm’s financial performance, evaluating if there is an effect due to the certification itself or due to the practice of certain CSR practices. To answer this, secondary data was collected from the FAME database and the CBCs Directory. Regression analysis was used to compare CBCs to companies that do not engage in CSR activities, to compare CBCs to Community Interest Companies, and to compare current CBCs that were certified at the time of financial information to current CBCs that were not certified yet. Return on Assets was the dependent variable, as it relates to sustainability and efficiency. The findings of this dissertation suggest that CBCs have better financial performance than non CBCs and that this effect is not due to the certification but because of CSR practices. Evidence also suggests that CBCs that obtained the certification before others have more positive impact on society and environment. The results indicate that investing in CSR or activities improves financial performance and that the costs of certification balance out the positive financial impact. However, it is recommended that managers seek the B Corp certification, as it causes no financial harm while allowing for a better impact on society and environment.O compromisso entre lucros e Responsabilidade Social (RS) está institucionalizado há décadas, mas as perceções estão a mudar. Empresas B Corp Certificadas (EBCC) são empresas híbridas que se focam nas pessoas, no planeta e nos lucros simultaneamente. Esta tese pretende investigar a relação entre ser uma EBCC e a performance financeira das empresas, avaliando se existe um impacto devido à própria certificação ou devido à prática de certas práticas de RS. Para responder a isso, foram recolhidos dados secundários da base de dados FAME e do diretório de EBCCs. Foram utilizadas regressões para comparar EBCCs a empresas que não praticam RS, para comparar EBCCs às Empresas de Interesse Comunitário, e para comparar EBCCs atuais que já eram certificadas aquando da recolha da informação financeira a EBCCs atuais que ainda não eram certificadas. O Retorno Sobre Ativos foi a variável dependente, pois relaciona-se com a sustentabilidade e eficiência. Esta dissertação sugere que EBCCs têm melhor performance financeira do que empresas que não são EBCCs e que este efeito não se deve à certificação, mas a práticas de RS. Evidências também sugerem que EBCCs que obtiveram a certificação antes de outras têm um impacto mais positivo na sociedade. Os resultados indicam que investir em RS melhora a performance financeira e que os custos da certificação balançam negativamente o impacto financeiro positivo. No entanto, é recomendado que os gestores procurem a certificação, uma vez que não prejudica as empresas financeiramente e permite que tenham um melhor impacto na sociedade e no ambiente