Business & Public Management

Biography

Dr. Matthew McMahon is an Associate Professor of Economics at West Chester University. He holds a B.A. in Economics and a B.S. in Mathematics from Appalachian State University, and he holds an M.A. in Economics and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Tennessee. He was previously an Assistant Professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. His research spans Behavioral Economics, Environmental Economics, and Public Economics/Finance. In this research, he uses tools ranging from applied theory and experimental techniques to simulations and applied microeconometrics. He especially enjoys creating novel experimental designs to apply to areas in which experiments are rare, which has also led him to venture into areas outside his traditional wheelhouse, such as behavioral and corporate finance. He has also participated in interdisciplinary collaborative work with researchers in areas ranging from Supply Chain Management to Meteorology. His teaching interests expand beyond his research interests. He has taught every level of undergraduate courses, including Principles of Microeconomics/Macroeconomics (both separately and combined), Intermediate Microeconomics, Intermediate Macroeconomics, Labor Economics, and Environmental Economics & Natural Resource Policy. He has also taught week-long guest lectures for various other courses, including both a 400-level Seminar in Finance course (teaching about Behavioral Finance) and a 600-level Experimental Economics course for Ph.D. students. Across these courses, he has significant experience teaching both traditional face-to-face classes and fully online classes. His personal interests and hobbies include: live music, traveling, hiking, and playing trivia.

Education

• B.A., Economics, Appalachian State University
• B.S., Mathematics, Appalachian State University
• M.A., Economics, University of Tennessee
• Ph.D., Economics, University of Tennessee

Area of Expertise

• Behavioral Economics
• Environmental Economics
• Experimental Economics
• Public Economics/Finance
• Applied Microeconomics

Relevant Professional/Applied Experience

• Journal Referee at: Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics, Journal of the Association of Environmental & Resource Economists, Energy Economics, The Energy Journal
• Recent Conference & Workshop Presentations at: Annual Meeting of the Southern Economic Association, Economic Science Association North-American Meeting, Behavioral & Experimental Economists of the Mid-Atlantic Meetup, Midwest Economics Association Annual Meeting, Conference of the Western Economic Association International

Research Programs/Grants/Interests

• WCU Provost Research Grant (2020) with Z. Tingting Jia, Jing Li, & Sarah Quintanar
• Salisbury University Faculty Mini-Grant (2015) with Nick Busko

Recent Publications/Journals/Books

• “Being Watched in an Investment Game Setting: Behavioral Changes when Making Risky Decisions” (2020) with Z. Tingting Jia. Journal of Behavioral & Experimental Economics.
• “Dividend Payments and Excess Cash: An Experimental Analysis” (2019) with Z. Tingting Jia. Journal of Behavioral & Experimental Economics.
• “Second-Best Prioritization of Environmental Cleanups” (2019) with Jacob LaRiviere and Justin Roush. Environmental and Resource Economics.
• “Shareholder Protection and Dividend Policy: An Experimental Analysis of Agency Costs” (2018) with Jacob LaRiviere and William Neilson. Management Science.

Professional and Community Engagement

• Council Member, Sustainability Council, WCU
• Committee Chair, Buildings & Energy Committee, Sustainability Council, WCU
• Committee Member, Excellence in Teaching Committee, College of Business & Public Management
• Committee Member, Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), a UN Initiative, College of Business & Public Management
• Committee Member, Department Hiring Committee (2018-2019; 2021-2022)
• Department Representative, Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculty (APSCUF)

Honors/Awards

• WCU Honors College Outstanding Faculty Recipient (Fall 2018)

Classes Regularly Taught

• ECO 111 Principles of Macroeconomics
• ECO 112 Principles of Microeconomics
• ECO 334 Labor Economics
• ECO 340 Intermediate Microeconomics
• ECO 385 Environmental & Resource Economics

Faculty Directory