

This Week in Business
The Wharton School
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 18, 2025 • 10min
How Business Leaders Are Misjudging AI’s Workforce Impact
Peter Cappelli, Management Professor at the Wharton School and Director of the Center on Human Resources, explains why bold predictions about AI-driven job loss often miss the mark, how financial pressures are influencing executive behavior, and why uncertainty—not automation—should be guiding future workforce strategies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 16, 2025 • 10min
Rebuilding Boeing: Engineering, Ethics, and Organizational Change
Greg Shea, Adjunct Professor of Management and Senior Fellow at the Wharton Center for Leadership and Change, outlines how Boeing’s long-term shift away from its engineering roots has led to widespread reputational damage and organizational dysfunction—and what its leadership must do to repair both internal culture and external credibility. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 11, 2025 • 10min
What the Reconciliation Bill Means for U.S. Households
Kent Smetters, Faculty Director of the Penn Wharton Budget Model and Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy at the Wharton School, discusses the newly passed reconciliation bill—highlighting its projected $3.6 trillion increase to the national debt, minimal near-term economic growth, and long-term GDP decline, along with how the legislation may reduce resources for lower-income households.Ask ChatGPT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 snips
Jul 9, 2025 • 10min
Automatic Enrollment, Tax Fears, and the 401(k) Surge
Discover how automatic enrollment in 401(k) plans is revolutionizing retirement savings rates! Explore the motivations behind the surge, from generational changes to employer incentives. Learn about the financial challenges younger generations face, particularly concerning Social Security and national debt. Delve into strategies for maximizing retirement savings, including the impact of employer matching contributions. Tune in for insights on how these trends shape the future of financial security.

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.


