Duncan Murray

Dr Duncan Murray

Senior Lecturer, Sport and Leisure

School of Management

College of Business and Law

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Dr Duncan Murray is a Senior Lecturer - Sport and Leisure at the University of South Australia Business School.
Dr Murray holds a Doctor of Philosophy, Bachelor of Applied Science, and a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and qualified fitness instructor. He is a founding member of Centre for Tourism and Leisure Management and is recognised nationally in the leisure and sport management field for his work in consumer behaviour in sport and fitness settings. His research interests are in the areas of Leisure/consumer behaviour, leadership (particularly toxic or harmful leadership), attractiveness in organisations, body image and constraints to fitness participation, sport celebrity endorsement, social capital and community well-being, generational theory, serious leisure and work-life balance, and social media as an educational tool. He’s been a keynote and invited speaker at multiple conferences and seminars, including Parks and Leisure Australia. His research has been published in a range of international journals, including Leadership and Organization Behavior, Sport Management Review, Managing Leisure, Sport, Business, Management: An International Journal and European Sport Marketing Quarterly. He has also been a highly successful research supervisor, with a number of his PhD students going on to successful careers in academia. 
Duncan’s teaching has been recognised through several awards from the University of South Australia and recognition by UniJobs in their Lecturer of the Year 2010 (ranked in top ten lecturers at UniSA). He was the recipient of Supported Teacher Awards in 2012 and 2011, and an Enhancing Learning Award in 2008. He was also a finalist in the Business School’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 2010, and nominated for the Business School’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 2011. In addition, he has contributed to the school by taking the roles of Program Director and Curriculum Leader for Sport and Recreation Management over a number of years.
Finally, he has engaged national stakeholders and organisations through a number of applied research projects, including a strategic analysis of Polocrosse Australia and most significantly with his work with the Indigenous Land Council in their review of the National Indigenous Land Strategy. With his strong academic background Duncan brings years of experience in teaching and research to the UniSA Business School.

Leadership focussing on destructive and authentic leadership,Consumer behaviour in leisure and tourism contexts,Celebrity endorsors,Social physique anxiety, Body image and contraints to fitness participation,Appearance, attraction and behaviour,Benchmarking

Year Citation
2025 Takos, N., O'Boyle, I., & Murray, D. (2025). The role of leadership in interpersonal dysfunctional conflict within Australian Football League (AFL) club boards. Sport, Business and Management, 15(2), 161-175.
DOI
2025 Williams, K., & Murray, D. (2025). Proposing grounded theory as a method to facilitate and extend reflective practice. Higher Education, online, 1-19.
DOI
2024 Williams, K., & Murray, D. (2024). Cruel optimism and ableist assumptions: Ableist discourse, the 'good' mother and autism. Neurodiversity, online, 1-10.
DOI
2022 Williams, K., & Murray, D. (2022). Perceptions of sexual assault at music festivals. Event Management, 26(7), 1521-1536.
DOI
2022 Zacharko, M., Vilkinas, T., & Murray, D. (2022). Expectancy violation exposes the hidden victims of sexual harassment. Journal of Organizational Psychology, 22(2), 118-136.
DOI
2020 Vilkinas, T., Murray, D. W., & Chua, S. M. Y. (2020). Effective leadership: considering the confluence of the leader's motivations, behaviours and their reflective ability. Leadership and Organization Development Journal, 14(1), 147-163.
DOI
2018 Chua, S., Murray, D. W., & Vilkinas, T. (2018). The university of toxicity: managerialism and the rise of Professor Toxic (Part 1). Campus Review, 1-3.
2018 Takos, N., Murray, D., & O'Boyle, I. (2018). Authentic leadership in nonprofit sport organization boards. Journal of sport management, 32(2), 109-122.
DOI
2018 Helal, S., Li, J., Liu, L., Ebrahimie, E., Dawson, S., & Murray, D. J. (2018). Identifying key factors of student academic performance by subgroup discovery. International Journal of Data Science and Analytics, 7(3), 227-245.
DOI Scopus39 WoS29
2015 Williams, K., & Murray, D. (2015). Negotiating the normative: the other normal for mothers of disabled children. Journal of Family Studies, 21(3), 324-340.
DOI Scopus12 WoS12
2015 Yi Chua, S. M., & Murray, D. W. (2015). How toxic leaders are perceived: gender and information-processing. Leadership & organization development journal, 36(3), 292-307.
DOI
2014 Chua, S., Murray, D., & Vilkinas, T. (2014). Terror at the top: toxic leadership undermines an organisation, making an HR director's role in instigating change as difficult as it is necessary. HR monthly, (August 2014), 28-31.
2014 Vilkinas, T., Murray, D., & Kay, A. (2014). Bad CEO: understanding destructive leadership behaviour and its impacts is invaluable for the HR manager. HR Monthly, February, 29-32.
2014 Smith, J., Murray, D., & Howat, G. (2014). How perceptions of physique can influence customer satisfaction in health and fitness centres. Managing leisure, 19(6), 442-460.
DOI
2014 Voon, B. H., Lee, N., & Murray, D. (2014). Sports service quality for event venues: evidence from Malaysia. Sport, business and management, 4(2), 125-141.
DOI
2012 Murray, D. W., & Price, B. E. (2012). When sports stars go off the rails: how gender and involvement influence the negative publicity of sport endorsers. International journal of business research, 12(2), 84-93.
2011 Murray, D. W., & Price, B. E. (2011). The globalisation of beauty - aspiration or threat? A comparison of the effect of Western beauty types on Asian and Western females attitudes and purchase intentions. International journal of business research, 11(2), 146-155.
2011 Murray, D. W., Vilkinas, P. M., & Kay, A. P. P. (2011). Towards an understanding of the precursors of effective leadership. European Journal of Management, 11(3), 16-24.
2010 Murray, D. W., & Price, B. E. (2010). Sex sells (conditions apply): perceived trustworthiness of sexy compared to attractive female staff. International journal of business research, 10(4), 30-44.
2009 Murray, D. W., & Howat, G. A. (2009). The 'Enrichment Hypothesis' as an explanation of women's participation in rugby. Annals of leisure research, 12(1), 65-82.
2009 Price, B. E., & Murray, D. W. (2009). Match-up revisited: The effect of staff attractiveness on purchase intentions in younger adult females: social comparative and product relevance effects. Journal of international business and economics, 9(2), 55-76.
2007 Murray, D. W., Price, B. E., & Crilley, G. P. (2007). Advocacy and visitation levels in Australian Botanic Gardens : process and outcome benefits. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration.
2005 Howat, G. A., Murray, D. W., & Crilley, G. P. (2005). Reducing measurement overload : rationalising performance measures for public aquatic centres in Australia. Managing leisure, 10(2), 128-142.
DOI
2005 Howat, G. A., Crilley, G. P., & Murray, D. W. (2005). Using performance measures to assess performance of indoor and outdoor aquatic centres. Journal of the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management, 11(1), 6-16.
DOI
2001 Murray, D. W., & Dixon, L. (2001). Investigating the growth of 'extreme sports'. ACHPER national journal.
1999 Howat, G. A., Murray, D. W., & Crilley, G. P. (1999). The Relationships Between Service Problems and Perceptions of Service Quality, Satisfaction, and Behavioural Intentions of Australian Public Sports and Leisure Centre Customers. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration.

Year Citation
2022 Murray, D., Williams, K., & Zacharko, M. (2022). Digitalisation of the fitness industry in Australia: disruption, adoption and opportunities. In M. Valcarce-Torrente (Ed.), Source details - Title: The Digital Transformation of the Fitness Sector: A Global Perspective (pp. 111-117). UK: Emerald Publishing.
DOI
2021 Murray, D., & Williams, K. (2021). The Australian fitness industry: trends, disruption and positioning. In J. Garcia-Fernandez, & P. Galvez-Ruiz (Eds.), Source details - Title: The Global Private Health & Fitness Business: A Marketing Perspective (pp. 111-117). UK: Emerald Publishing.
DOI
2019 Williams, K., & Murray, D. (2019). Exclusion, constraint, and motherhood: conceptualizing the construction of motherhood and mothering the disabled child. In C. Byvelds, & H. Jackson (Eds.), Source details - Title: Motherhood and social exclusion (pp. 116-202). Canada: Demeter Press.
DOI
2017 Murray, D., & Chua, S. (2017). Leadership in sport management. In T. Bradbury, & I. O'Boyle (Eds.), Source details - Title: Understanding sport management: international perspectives (pp. 159-171). UK: Routledge.
2015 Takos, N., O'Boyle, I., & Murray, D. (2015). The future: trends and challenges in sport leadership. In D. Murray, I. O'Boyle, & C. P. Duncan (Eds.), Source details - Title: Leadership in Sport (pp. 240-247). UK: Routledge.
2015 O'Boyle, I., Cummins, P., & Murray, D. (2015). Framing leadership in sport. In M. O'Boyle, & C. P. Duncan (Eds.), Source details - Title: Leadership in Sport (pp. 1-6). UK: Routledge.
2015 Murray, D., & Chua, S. (2015). What is leadership?. In I. O'Boyle, D. Murray, & P. Cummins (Eds.), Source details - Title: Leadership in sport (pp. 9-18). UK: Routledge.
2014 Hagger, C., & Murray, D. (2014). Anticipating a flourishing future with tourism experiences. In S. Filep, & P. Pearce (Eds.), Source details - Title: Tourist experience and fulfilment: insights from positive psychology (1 ed., pp. 186-201). UK: Routledge.
DOI Scopus12
2012 Murray, D. (2012). Global cultures and ethnicity. In A. J. Veal (Ed.), Source details - Title: Australian leisure (4 ed., pp. 418-441). Sydney, Australia: Pearson.

Year Citation
2023 Murray, D., & Williams, K. (2023). Exploring business students' views of the use of generative AI in assignment writing: an examination of generative AI use through students' own ethical perspectives. In T. Cochrane (Ed.), People, partnerships and pedagogies. Proceedings ASCILITE 2023 (pp. 167-174). New Zealand: ASCILITE.
DOI
2018 Zacharko, M., Murray, D. W., & Vilkinas, T. (2018). #hetoo: Exploring the role of expectancy violation and workplace gender ratio in perceptions of male targets of sexual harassment.. In Managing the Many Faces of Sustainable Work: Conference Proceedings (pp. 1599-1616). Australia: Australia and New Zealand Academy of Management.
2017 Chua, S., Murray, D., & Vilkinas, T. (2017). Toxic Dons: How the shift to academic capitalism and managerialist principles within universities facilitates leader toxicity.. In Re-Connecting Management research with the Disciplines (pp. 1-19). UK: British Academy of Management.
2015 Murray, D., Chua, S., & Halvorsen, B. (2015). Pretty fly for a white guy...Exploring the existence of a Western positivity bias in perceptions of leaders across cultures. In Proceedings of the 29th Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management Conference: Managing for Peak Performance (pp. 1-22). Australia: ANZAM.
2014 Murray, D. W., & Chua, S. M. Y. (2014). Differences in leadership styles and motives in men and women: how generational theory informas gender role congruity. In Proceedings of the 10th European conference on management leadership and governance (pp. 192-199). UK: Academic Conferences.
2009 Hagger, J. C., & Murray, D. W. (2009). The contribution of multiple cycles of tourism experiences to post-retirement life satisfaction : an Australian study. In S. Sharpley, & R. Richard (Eds.), Tourist experiences: meanings, motivations & behaviours conference proceedings. Preston: University of Central Lancashire.
2007 Hagger, J. C., & Murray, D. W. (2007). Opportunities for life-course development: Individual differences, tourism experiences and the post retirement market. In Proceedings of the 17th Annual CAUTHE Conference 2007: Tourism - past acheivements, future challenges.. Sydney, Australia: University of Technology, Sydney.
1999 Crilley, G. P., Murray, D. W., & Kelly, K. M. (1999). Vulnerable adults attending public sports and leisure centres: participation levels and perceptions of service quality. In The Fourth Conference of the ANZALS. Leisure Experiences: Interpretation and Action. University of of Waikato Hamilton New Zealand: Dept of Leisure Studies. University of Waikato.
1999 Methven, S., & Murray, D. W. (1999). The role of context in dictating perceptions of leisure and work: Rehearsal and performance scenarios. In Leisure Experiences: Interpretation and Action. University of Waikato Hamilton New Zealand: ANZALS Dept of Leisure Studies.
1999 Crilley, G. P., Murray, D. W., & Howat, G. A. (1999). Beyond the bottom line: Indicators for efficiency in public sports and leisure centres. In J. Thompson (Ed.), 'Blending a Nation': Proceedings of the 2nd National Conference. Adelaide: Parks and Leisure Australia.
1999 Murray, D. W., & Crilley, G. P. (1999). Vulnerable adults attending public sports and leisure centres: what do they expect?. In 'Blending a Nation': Proceedings of the 2nd National Conference. Parks and Leisure Australia.
1999 Murray, D. W., & Dixon, L. (1999). Investigating the growth of 'instant' sports: causal rationales and practical implications for community leisure service providers. In 'Blending a Nation': Proceedings of the 2nd National Conference. Parks and Leisure Australia.
1997 Murray, D. W., Milne, I. R., Howat, G. A., & Crilley, G. P. (1997). The cost-quality relationship in Australian public sports and leisure centres: conventional wisdom revisited. In B. Brown, P. Rowe, & D. David (Eds.), Proceedings: ANZALS Conference 1997. University of Newcastle: Australian and New Zealand Association for Leisure Studies.
1997 Murray, D. W., Milne, I. R., Howat, G. A., & Crilley, G. P. (1997). The contribution of evaluation to quality management in Australian public sports and leisure centres. In Evaluation: Equipping communities and government. Adelaide South Australia: Australasian Evaluation Society.
1997 Murray, D. W., Milne, I. R., Howat, G. A., & Crilley, G. P. (1997). Benchmarking: Identification of best practice in Australian public sports and leisure centres. In Australasian Evaluation Society 1997 International Conference. Curtin ACT: Australasian Evaluation Society.
1997 Rungie, C. M., Murray, D. W., & Chong, E. (1997). An Empirical Study of the Measures of Customer Satisfaction in a Recreational Centre Context. In P. Reed, S. Luxton, & M. Shaw (Eds.), ANZMEC 97. Melbourne: Dept. of Marketing, Monash University.

  • BRIGHTON COUNCIL ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE STUDY 2025, Brighton Council, 25/08/2025 - 31/12/2025

  • DUBBO REGIONAL COUNCIL ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE AND VALUES ALIGNMENT STUDY 2025, Dubbo Regional Council, 16/09/2025 - 31/12/2025

  • Meander Valley Council Organisational Culture Study 2025, Meander Valley Council, 01/04/2025 - 30/11/2025

  • Fairfield City Council, City of Fairfield, 24/03/2025 - 30/11/2025

  • Bayside Council Staff Report, Bayside City Council (NSW), 18/02/2025 - 30/11/2025

  • City of Holdfast Bay Organisational Culture Study 2025, City of Holdfast Bay, 30/04/2025 - 30/11/2025

  • Boulia Shire Council Organisational Culture Study 2025, Boulia Shire Council, 03/03/2025 - 30/11/2025

  • Longreach Regional Council Organisational Culture Study 2025, Longreach Regional Council, 01/04/2025 - 30/11/2025

  • Shire of Toodyay Organisational Culture Study 2023-2024, Shire of Toodyay, 23/10/2023 - 31/12/2024

  • BLAYNEY SHIRE COUNCIL LIBRARY SERVICE DELIVERY REVIEW 2024, Blayney Shire Council, 05/08/2024 - 20/12/2024

  • Shire of Mundaring Library CSQ 2024, Shire of Mundaring, 18/09/2024 - 30/11/2024

  • Dubbo Regional Council Organisational Culture Study 2023, Dubbo Regional Council, 26/06/2023 - 31/12/2023

  • Longreach Regional Council Organisational Culture Study 2023, Longreach Regional Council, 28/08/2023 - 30/11/2023

  • CERM Performance Indicators for the Strathfield Council Library and Innovation Hub CSQ 2023, Strathfield Municipal Council, 21/08/2023 - 30/11/2023

  • Goldfields Library Corporation - Library CSQ 2021, North Central Goldfields Library Corporation, 15/02/2021 - 15/04/2021

  • Benchmarking User Experience in Public Library Services 2019, Local Government Association of South Australia, 30/09/2019 - 31/08/2020

Courses I teach

  • BUSS 2068 Management and Organisation (2025)
  • ENVT 3004 Recreation Planning in the Urban Environment (2025)
  • BUSS 2068 Management and Organisation (2024)
  • ENVT 3004 Recreation Planning in the Urban Environment (2024)

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2019 Co-Supervisor - Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Darren Scott Adamson

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