
This Week in Business
Bringing together top leaders, innovators and renowned faculty from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania discussing topics that matter to consumers and the business world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Jul 4, 2025 • 11min
User Choice, Defaults, and the Future of Search
Leon Musolff, Wharton Assistant Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy, discusses findings from a recent field experiment showing how default search engine settings significantly influence user choice—highlighting the implications for antitrust policy and competition between Google and Bing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 2, 2025 • 10min
How the First Sale Rule Helps Offset Tariff Costs
In this discussion, David Zaring, a Wharton Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics, delves into the First Sale Rule, revealing how it can help U.S. companies mitigate tariff costs. He explains the complexities of international transactions and the crucial documentation needed to leverage this rule effectively. Zaring also shares practical examples, notably how it impacts global supply chains, offering invaluable insights for businesses facing rising tariffs. The conversation highlights strategic approaches to navigating financial pressures in today's market.

Jun 27, 2025 • 10min
Markets Brace for Tariffs and Look to AI for Relief
Jeremy Siegel, Wharton Emeritus Professor of Finance and Senior Economist at WisdomTree, discusses how markets are reacting to global instability, the possibility of renewed tariffs, and the Federal Reserve’s stance on interest rates, while highlighting how artificial intelligence could help offset economic challenges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 25, 2025 • 9min
How AI Is Reshaping Customer Experience and Expectations
Christian Terwiesch, Wharton Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions, discusses the evolving role of AI in customer service—highlighting the tension between cost reduction and service quality, the growing expectations of consumers, and the challenges of fully automating support without losing the human element. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 20, 2025 • 9min
How Tariffs Are Disrupting Retail and Consumer Confidence
Gideon Bornstein, Wharton Assistant Professor of Finance, discusses how ongoing tariff uncertainties and fluctuating consumer confidence are impacting retailers’ pricing strategies, supply chains, and economic outlooks, offering insights into what this means for the broader macroeconomic picture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 18, 2025 • 10min
From Amateurism to Paychecks: College Athletics in Transition
Rob DiGisi, lecturer at the Wharton School and founder of Iron Horse Marketing, discusses the implications of the House v. NCAA settlement, including direct athlete compensation, the evolving role of NIL collectives, and the far-reaching consequences for non-revenue sports, program structures, and the traditional identity of college athletics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 13, 2025 • 9min
Inside the Capital One–Discover Merger: What It Means for Consumers
Paul Nary, Wharton Assistant Professor of Management, discusses the recent merger between Capital One and Discover, highlighting the strategic motivations behind the deal, the integration challenges ahead, and why the move could ultimately benefit consumers by increasing competition in the payments network space. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 11, 2025 • 10min
Rethinking Retail: The Hidden Costs of Self-Checkout Technology
Santiago Gallino, an Associate Professor at the Wharton School, dives deep into the world of self-checkout technology in retail. He discusses its rapid rise and the appeal of efficiency and cost savings. However, he also highlights the darker side, including theft and increased customer frustration. Gallino analyzes how retailers are now rethinking their strategies, balancing automation with the need for human interaction. The challenges of shrinkage and the integration of AI also play a crucial role in the future of shopping.

Jun 6, 2025 • 8min
IPOs and Their Human Cost: What Employees Should Know
Matt Josefy, Visiting Associate Professor of Management at Wharton and Associate Professor of Strategy and Shoemaker Faculty Fellow in Entrepreneurship at Indiana University, discusses how IPOs affect company longevity, leadership decisions, and the often-overlooked human consequences for employees during and after the transition to public markets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 4, 2025 • 8min
How Big Data and AI Are Transforming Modern Sports
Cade Massey, Practice Professor in the Operations, Information and Decisions Department at the Wharton School and host of the Wharton Moneyball podcast, discusses the growing influence of big data and artificial intelligence in sports—from game-day strategies to injury prevention and referee evaluation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.