BE (Electrical and Electronic) (Canterbury), PhD (Otago)
Senior Lecturer
Room 4.38 Otago Business School
Tel +64 3 479 7694
Email damien.mather@otago.ac.nz
My research aim is to study decision-making processes that affect national, regional and global markets, international business and trade policy decisions so as to improve the success rate of businesses, regional organisations and governments when making decisions.
To achieve this I apply corpus linguistics text analytics, data mining, advanced quantitative methods, empirical generalizations and understanding of consumer behaviour, heuristic decisions, decision framing and uncertainty to add to marketing knowledge in branding, pricing and corporate communications.
I have an H-index of 18 and have been successful in publishing articles in highly ranked journals in business and science disciplines on these topics such as Nature Biotechnology, Appetite and the Journal of Travel research.
I am a co-investigator for a NZD10M MBIE funded research: Rapidly evolving climate-smart dairy cattle. I have led as PI, a NZD254K research subcontract of the former on the market acceptance of climate smart dairy milk with direct consumer benefits, and have been co-investigator on a NZD20K research project investigating the measurement of moral foundations and ethical reasoning of university students and a NZD33K research project to research food safety risks and opportunities.
The publications flowing from my research theme have resulted in invited presentation of my research to several research institutions in NZ and to universities in the US, Norway, Germany and China. My top 10 publications have been cited 931 times. I am a member of Food Waste Innovation, a University of Otago Research Theme which measures food waste, develops reduction strategies, applies innovative technology, and works to modify producer and consumer behaviour, a researcher member of the New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Centre, and a committee member of the university-wide Catchments Otago a University of Otago Research Theme which aims to connect lower south island catchment management stakeholders, including local and regional governments, iwi, freshwater management groups, landowners etc. to promote research collaboration and expert advice with a diverse range of University of Otago specialists.
I am the delegated Human Ethics Committee approver, outbound student exchange advisor, a member Research Development Team and seminar co-ordinator for my department.
Teaching responsibilities
Damien’s teaching responsibilities include:
Office hours
Damien’s Office Hours are:
Tuesdays: 2:00pm - 2:50pm
Wednesdays: 3:00pm - 3:50pm
Publications
Nguyen, Y. D. H., Insch, A., & Mather, D. (2023). Exploring students’ lived experiences and wellbeing at a New Zealand University: Perspectives of international exchange students. Journal of the Australian & New Zealand Student Services Association. Advance online publication. doi: 10.30688/janzssa.2023-1-01
Mather, D. (2022). The benefits of using Best Worst Discrete Choice Experiments to quantify the importance of food attributes. Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute of Food Science & Technology (NZIFST) Conference: Collaboration: Building New Zealand Inc. Retrieved from http://www.nzifst.org.nz
Ma, K. X., Mather, D. W., Ott, D. L., Fang, E., Bremer, P., & Mirosa, M. (2022). Fresh food online shopping repurchase intention: The role of post-purchase customer experience and corporate image. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 50(2), 206-228. doi: 10.1108/IJRDM-04-2021-0184
Yi, Y., Bremer, P., Mather, D., & Mirosa, M. (2022). Factors affecting the diffusion of traceability practices in an imported fresh produce supply chain in China. British Food Journal, 124(4), 1350-1364. doi: 10.1108/bfj-03-2021-0227
Chen, S., Zhang, J. A., Gao, H., Yang, Z., & Mather, D. (2022). Trust erosion during industry-wide crises: The central role of consumer legitimacy judgement. Journal of Business Ethics, 175, 95-116. doi: 10.1007/s10551-020-04588-0
Knight, J. G., Holdsworth, D. K., & Mather, D. W. (2003). Trust and country image: Perceptions of European food distributors regarding factors that could enhance or damage New Zealand's image - including GMOs. Dunedin: University of Otago, 89p.
Authored Book - Research
Henry, J., & Mather, D. (Eds.). (2006). Pricing and distribution. Auckland, New Zealand: Pearson Education, 676p.
Edited Book - Research
Higham, C. F. W., & Mather, D. W. (2004). Principal component analysis of all complete burials. In chapter 'Social aspects of the Ban Lum Khao Cemetery'. In C. F. W. Higham & R. Thosarat (Eds.), The origins of the civilization of Angkor (Vol. I): The excavation of Ban Lum Khao. (pp. 321). Bangkok: The Thai Fine Arts Department.
Chapter in Book - Research
Nguyen, Y. D. H., Insch, A., & Mather, D. (2023). Exploring students’ lived experiences and wellbeing at a New Zealand University: Perspectives of international exchange students. Journal of the Australian & New Zealand Student Services Association. Advance online publication. doi: 10.30688/janzssa.2023-1-01
Journal - Research Article
Chen, S., Zhang, J. A., Gao, H., Yang, Z., & Mather, D. (2022). Trust erosion during industry-wide crises: The central role of consumer legitimacy judgement. Journal of Business Ethics, 175, 95-116. doi: 10.1007/s10551-020-04588-0
Journal - Research Article
Ma, K. X., Mather, D. W., Ott, D. L., Fang, E., Bremer, P., & Mirosa, M. (2022). Fresh food online shopping repurchase intention: The role of post-purchase customer experience and corporate image. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 50(2), 206-228. doi: 10.1108/IJRDM-04-2021-0184
Journal - Research Article
Yi, Y., Bremer, P., Mather, D., & Mirosa, M. (2022). Factors affecting the diffusion of traceability practices in an imported fresh produce supply chain in China. British Food Journal, 124(4), 1350-1364. doi: 10.1108/bfj-03-2021-0227
Journal - Research Article
Chen, S., Wright, M. J., Gao, H., Liu, H., & Mather, D. (2021). The effects of brand origin and country-of-manufacture on consumers' institutional perceptions and purchase decision-making. International Marketing Review, 38(2), 343-366. doi: 10.1108/IMR-08-2019-0205
Journal - Research Article
Hutchings, S. C., Guerrero, L., Mirosa, M., Bremer, P., Mather, D., Pavan, E., … Realini, C. E. (2021). The implications of COVID-19 on Chinese consumer preferences for lamb meat. Foods, 10(6), 1324. doi: 10.3390/foods10061324
Journal - Research Article
Parackal, M., Parackal, S., Mather, D., & Eusebius, S. (2021). Dynamic transactional model: A framework for communicating public health messages via social media. Perspectives in Public Health, 141(5), 279-286. doi: 10.1177/1757913920935910
Journal - Research Article
Brown, K., Connelly, S., Lovelock, B., Mainvil, L., Mather, D., Roberts, H., Skeaff, S., & Shephard, K. (2019). Do we teach our students to share and to care? Research in Post-Compulsory Education, 24(4), 462-481. doi: 10.1080/13596748.2019.1654693
Journal - Research Article
Rahmani, K., Gnoth, J., & Mather, D. (2019). A psycholinguistic view of tourists’ emotional experiences. Journal of Travel Research, 58(2), 192-206. doi: 10.1177/0047287517753072
Journal - Research Article
Parackal, M., Mather, D., & Holdsworth, D. (2018). Value-based prediction of election results using natural language processing: A case of the New Zealand General Election. International Journal of Market Research, 60(2), 156-168. doi: 10.1177/1470785318762234
Journal - Research Article
Rahmani, K., Gnoth, J., & Mather, D. (2018). Hedonic and eudaimonic well-being: A psycholinguistic view. Tourism Management, 69, 155-166. doi: 10.1016/j.tourman.2018.06.008
Journal - Research Article
Rahmani, K., Gnoth, J., & Mather, D. (2018). Tourists’ participation on Web 2.0: A corpus linguistic analysis of experiences. Journal of Travel Research, 57(8), 1108-1120. doi: 10.1177/0047287517732425
Journal - Research Article
Insch, A., Mather, D., & Knight, J. (2017). Buy-national campaigns: Congruence determines premiums for domestic products. International Marketing Review, 34(2), 239-253. doi: 10.1108/IMR-03-2015-0082
Journal - Research Article
Neuninger, R., Mather, D., & Duncan, T. (2017). Consumer's scepticism of wine awards: A study of consumers’ use of wine awards. Journal of Retailing & Consumer Services, 35, 98-105. doi: 10.1016/j.jretconser.2016.12.003
Journal - Research Article
Parackal, M., Parackal, S., Eusebius, S., & Mather, D. (2017). The use of Facebook advertising for communicating public health messages: A campaign against drinking during pregnancy in New Zealand. JMIR Public Health & Surveillance, 3(3), e49. doi: 10.2196/publichealth.7032
Journal - Research Article
Mather, D., Vikan, R., & Knight, J. (2016). Marketplace response to GM animal products. Nature Biotechnology, 34(3), 236-238. doi: 10.1038/nbt.3494
Journal - Research Article
McNeill, L., & Mather, D. (2016). Social involvement and consumption motivation: Co-creation of magic in the servicescape. Australasian Marketing Journal, 24(4), 315-321. doi: 10.1016/j.ausmj.2016.11.004
Journal - Research Article
Watkins, L., Aitken, R., & Mather, D. (2016). Conscientious consumers: A relationship between moral foundations, political orientation and sustainable consumption. Journal of Cleaner Production, 134, 137-146. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.06.009
Journal - Research Article
Hamlin, R. P., Bishop, D., & Mather, D. W. (2015). 'Marketing earthquakes': A process of brand and market evolution by punctuated equilibrium. Marketing Theory, 15(3), 299-320. doi: 10.1177/1470593115572668
Journal - Research Article
Watkins, L., Aitken, R., Hinder, C., Lawson, R., Mather, D., Paul, A., Robertson, K., & Williams, J. (2015). The New Zealand consumer lifestyle segments. New Zealand Sociology, 30(1), 111-130.
Journal - Research Article
Maubach, N., Hoek, J., & Mather, D. (2014). Interpretive front-of-pack nutrition labels: Comparing competing recommendations. Appetite, 82, 67-77. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2014.07.006
Journal - Research Article
Gao, H., Knight, J. G., Zhang, H., & Mather, D. (2013). Guilt by association: Heuristic risks for foreign brands during a product-harm crisis in China. Journal of Business Research, 66, 1044-1051. doi: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2011.12.029
Journal - Research Article
Knight, J. G., Clark, A., & Mather, D. W. (2013). Potential damage of GM crops to the country image of the producing country. GM Crops & Food, 4(3), 151-157. doi: 10.4161/gmcr.26321
Journal - Research Article
Gao, H., Knight, J. G., Zhang, H., Mather, D., & Tan, L. P. (2012). Consumer scapegoating during a systemic product-harm crisis. Journal of Marketing Management, 28(11-12), 1270-1290. doi: 10.1080/0267257X.2011.645859
Journal - Research Article
Mather, D. W., Knight, J. G., Insch, A., Holdsworth, D. K., Ermen, D. F., & Breitbarth, T. (2012). Social stigma and consumer benefits: Trade-offs in adoption of genetically modified foods. Science Communication, 34(4), 487-519. doi: 10.1177/1075547011428183
Journal - Research Article
Gao, H., Darroch, J., Mather, D., & MacGregor, A. (2008). Signaling corporate strategy in IPO communication: A study of biotechnology IPOs on the NASDAQ. Journal of Business Communication, 45(1), 3-30. doi: 10.1177/0021943607309349
Journal - Research Article
Knight, J. G., Holdsworth, D. K., & Mather, D. W. (2008). GM food and neophobia: Connecting with the gatekeepers of consumer choice. Journal of the Science of Food & Agriculture, 88(5), 739-744. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.3168
Journal - Research Article
Knight, J. G., Holdsworth, D. K., & Mather, D. W. (2007). Country-of-origin and choice of food imports: An in-depth study of European distribution channel gatekeepers. Journal of International Business Studies, 38, 107-125.
Journal - Research Article
Knight, J. G., Mather, D. W., Holdsworth, D. K., & Ermen, D. F. (2007). Acceptance of GM food: An experiment in six countries. Nature Biotechnology, 25(5), 507-508.
Journal - Research Article
Knight, J., Holdsworth, D., & Mather, D. (2007). Determinants of trust in imported food products: Perceptions of European gatekeepers. British Food Journal, 109(10), 792-804.
Journal - Research Article
Knight, J. G., Holdsworth, D. K., & Mather, D. W. (2005). Genetically modified crops and perceptions of country image: Implications for food exporters. Journal of Customer Behaviour, 4, 5-16.
Journal - Research Article
Knight, J. G., Mather, D. W., & Holdsworth, D. K. (2005). Consumer benefits and acceptance of genetically modified food. Journal of Public Affairs, 5(3-4), 226-235.
Journal - Research Article
Knight, J. G., Mather, D. W., & Holdsworth, D. K. (2005). Genetically modified crops and country image of food exporting countries. British Food Journal, 107(9), 653-662.
Journal - Research Article
Knight, J. G., Mather, D. W., & Holdsworth, D. K. (2005). Impact of genetic modification on country image of imported food products in European markets: Perceptions of channel members. Food Policy, 30, 385-398.
Journal - Research Article
Mather, D., Knight, J., & Holdsworth, D. (2005). Pricing differentials for organic, ordinary and genetically modified food. Journal of Product & Brand Management, 14(6), 387-392.
Journal - Research Article
Juric, B., Cornwell, B., & Mather, D. W. (2002). Exploring the usefulness of an ecotourism interest scale. Journal of Travel Research, 40(3), 259-269.
Journal - Research Article
Rahmani, K., Gnoth, J., & Mather, D. (2016). Applying corpus linguistics to study tourism experiences. In D. Fortin & L. K. Ozanne (Eds.), Proceedings of the Australian & New Zealand Marketing Academy Conference (ANZMAC): Marketing in a Post-Disciplinary Era. (pp. 1046-1053). Christchurch, New Zealand: Department of Management, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship, University of Canterbury. [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Forbes, S., Mather, D., Robertson, K., & Lawson, R. (2015). An examination of daily behaviour using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. In L. O'Malley (Ed.), Proceedings of the Academy of Marketing Conference (AM): The Magic in Marketing. Retrieved from http://programme.exordo.com/am2015/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Insch, A., Mather, D., & Knight, J. (2014). Does a 'Buy National' premium exist? Evidence from a bi-national, multi-category study. In S. Rundle-Thiele, K. Kubacki & D. Arli (Eds.), Proceedings of the Australian & New Zealand Marketing Academy (ANZMAC) Annual Conference: Agents of Change. (pp. 117-123). ANZMAC. [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Neuninger, R., Mather, D., Duncan, T., & Aitken, R. (2014). Questioning the way that we measure consumers' product involvement levels: How wine awards exposed differing involvement levels. In S. Rundle-Thiele, K. Kubacki & D. Arli (Eds.), Proceedings of the Australian & New Zealand Marketing Academy (ANZMAC) Annual Conference: Agents of Change. (pp. 1429-1435). ANZMAC. [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Rahmani, K., Gnoth, J., & Mather, D. W. (2014). Memorable tourism experience and experiencing: A critical review. In S. Rundle-Thiele, K. Kubacki & D. Arli (Eds.), Proceedings of the Australian & New Zealand Marketing Academy (ANZMAC) Annual Conference: Agents of Change. (pp. 360-366). ANZMAC. [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Xia, R. Z., Mather, D. W., Gnoth, J., & Garry, T. (2014). Chinese face and 'consumption face': Research of face influence on consumption differentiated by generations. In S. Rundle-Thiele, K. Kubacki & D. Arli (Eds.), Proceedings of the Australian & New Zealand Marketing Academy (ANZMAC) Annual Conference: Agents of Change. (pp. 339-345). ANZMAC. [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Xia, R. Z., Mather, D., & Gnoth, J. (2014). Does face still matter to Chinese young consumers for product and brand purchase decision? Proceedings of the Academy of Marketing Conference (AM): Marketing Dimensions: People, Places and Spaces. Retrieved from https://www.academyofmarketing.org
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Knight, J. G., Mather, D., & Mathieson, B. (2012). The key role of sincerity in restoring trust in a brand with a corporate apology. In L. Robinson (Ed.), Marketing dynamism & sustainability: Things change, things stay the same…. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-10912-1_64
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Knight, J., Mather, D., Holdsworth, D., & Lawson, R. (2007). What they say vs what they do: Revealed and stated preferences for genetically modified food. Proceedings of the 36th European Marketing Academy Conference. [CD-ROM] EMAC. [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Knight, J., Holdsworth, D., & Mather, D. (2006). Revealed preferences for genetically modified food: An experiment in five countries. In G. J. Avlonitis, N. Papavassiliou & P. Papastathopoulou (Eds.), Proceedings of the 35th European Marketing Academy Conference. Greece: Athens University of Economics and Business. [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
Knight, J. G., Mather, D. W., & Holdsworth, D. K. (2005). Acceptance of genetically modified food with consumer benefits. In S. Purchase (Ed.), Proceedings of the Australia and New Zealand Marketing Academy Conference. (pp. 142-148). Fremantle, WA, Australia: ANZMAC. [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper