About Me:
I am Thejani, and I am originally from Sri Lanka. I currently serve as a Senior Lecturer in Marketing at the University of Colombo. My passion lies in bridging the gap between theory and practice—exploring innovative ideas and sharing knowledge is at the core of my academic vision. I am particularly focused on harnessing the power of marketing to promote sustainability and a zero-waste lifestyle. In addition to my academic endeavours, I have taken on various administrative roles, such as coordinating the Diploma in Marketing Programme and serving as the Secretary for the Doctoral Colloquium at the University of Colombo. I love to dance, meditate, and spend quality moments with my family in my leisure time. Striking a balance between work and personal life is something I truly value!
Research Interests:
Circular economy; sustainable marketing; consumer decision-making; consumer disposal behaviour
Education:
PhD in Marketing (Reading for), at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand.
Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Marketing, 2021, Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK
Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education (CTHE), University of Colombo with SEDA accreditation, UK, 2020
MSc in Management, 2020, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo, Sri Lanka
BSc (Hons) in Marketing Management (Special), 2016, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
Supervisors:
Senior Supervisor: Lucie Ozanne
Co-Supervisor: Ann-Marie Kennedy
Additional Supervisor: Joya Kemper
Publications:
Madhuhansi, W.H.T., & `Chandralal, K.P. (2023). Dynamics of travel decision-making between organized packaged tourists and backpackers. International Journal of Applied Sciences in Tourism and Events, 7(2), 182–192.
Abeygunakasekara, A., Thennakoon, T., Madhuhansi, W.H.T., & Razik, R. (2021). Impact of market orientation and performance measurement orientation on the performance of small and medium scale enterprises, Sri Lanka Journal of Advanced Social Studies, 10 (1).
Madhuhansi, W.H.T. (2019). Impact of social media characteristics on consumer buying decision process in Western Province, Sri Lanka, Global Journal of Management and Business Research
Rathnayaka, U., & Madhuhansi, W.H.T. (2018). Impact of employee motivation on employee performance with special reference to Faculty Lecturers of SLITHM. Global Journal of Management and Business Research.
Madhuhansi, W.H.T. (2017). The impact of store environmental factors on customers’ impulse buying behaviour: Fashion stores in Colombo District, Sri Lanka. International Journal of Research.
Rathnayaka, R., & Madhuhansi, W.H.T. (2017). Impact made by visual merchandising elements on purchase intention: with special reference to supermarket industry in Sri Lanka. Global Journal of Management and Business Research.
Conference Presentations:
Madhuhansi, W.H.T. Consumer Disposal Decision-Making Process, UCBS Postgraduate Research conference 2024, UC Business School, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
Madhuhansi, W.H.T. Tourists' destination image formation: A study on first-time visitors in Sri Lanka, UCBS Postgraduate Research conference 2024, UC Business School, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
Madhuhansi, W.H.T. An investigation of the consumer disposal decision-making process, Doctoral Colloquium, ANZMAC 2023, University of Otago, New Zealand.
Madhuhansi, W.H.T. An exploratory study on consumer repair decisions, International Conference on Marketing Management 2023, Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing, Sri Lanka.
Thennakoon, D., Kapiyangoda, K., Madhuhansi, W.H.T., Perera, K., & Kathriarachchi, E. Virtual training on problem-based learning during COVID-19: The potential for successful training transfer. International Conference on Education, Research and Innovation, 2021. Spain.
Madhuhansi, W.H.T. Factors affecting green purchase intention in Sri Lanka, International Research Conference of Business Management 2017.
Madhuhansi, W.H.T. Celebrity endorsement on consumer purchase intention for milk powder market, Sri Lanka, Interdisciplinary Conference of Management Researchers 2017.
Awards and Honours:
Winner of the UC Business School 3MT thesis heat and the finalist of the University of Canterbury 3MT thesis competition 2024.
"Best Reviewer Award" of the UC Business School Postgraduate Research Conference, 2024.
DC travel grant award at the Australian and New Zealand Marketing Academy (ANZMAC), University of Otago, 2023.
Outstanding track paper award at the International Conference on Marketing Management, Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing, SlIM Research Bureau, 2023.
"Student of the Year" gold medal award for overall excellence in academic studies and extra-curricular activities at the Annual Convocation, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, 2016.
Other:
Secretary of UCBS’s postgraduate research students’ committee
A member of the Toastmasters Club at the University of Colombo
Associate Member, CIM
Why did you choose UC?
The University of Canterbury is renowned for its commitment to high-quality education and research, particularly in the area of sustainability.
Best things about study at UC:
Working with a fantastic supervisory team greatly enhanced my research journey, providing invaluable guidance. Engaging in extracurricular activities offered a refreshing balance to my studies, allowing me to develop new skills and friendships.
