

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

Aug 8, 2025 • 11min
How Deportation Policies Impact High-Skilled Worker Wages
Kent Smetters, Faculty Director of the Penn Wharton Budget Model, discusses recent research revealing how deportation—especially over long periods—can lower GDP and reduce wages for high-skilled workers, challenging assumptions about who truly benefits or suffers from such policies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 6, 2025 • 10min
Managing Talent That Disrupts Team Dynamics
Maurice Schweitzer, Wharton Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions, joins the show to explore the challenges organizations face when high-performing employees clash with leadership, drawing on real-world examples from sports and business including Steve Jobs, Jamie Dimon, and Sheryl Sandberg. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 1, 2025 • 11min
Ferrero, Kellogg, and the Return of the Breakup-Merger Cycle
Emilie Feldman, Wharton Professor of Management, explores how recent M&A activity—such as Ferrero’s acquisition of WK Kellogg—reflects a recurring trend where companies separate high-and low-growth assets only to later reintegrate them, drawing parallels to past moves by Kraft, Heinz, and other consumer goods giants.Ask ChatGPT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 snips
Jul 30, 2025 • 9min
How AI Is Reshaping Work and Higher Learning
Manav Raj uncovers how AI is reshaping job roles and challenging traditional degree models. The discussion highlights the new skills needed in an evolving labor market and urges students and educators to rethink their approaches. AI's uneven impact across industries reveals disparities in how sectors adapt. The conversation emphasizes the importance of creativity and communication skills as automation rises, making it crucial for both students and professionals to engage with AI tools to enhance their skill sets.

Jul 25, 2025 • 10min
Jeremy Siegel on Inflation, Fed Policy, and Market Resilience
Jeremy Siegel, Wharton Emeritus Professor of Finance and WisdomTree Chief Economist, shares his outlook on economic growth, inflation, interest rates, and market resilience, addressing the impact of tariffs, the rise of AI, and the uncertain future of Federal Reserve leadership. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 23, 2025 • 10min
Understanding Dynamic Pricing in Today’s Inflationary Climate
John Zhang, Wharton Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy, discusses how firms use tariff-induced economic conditions to raise prices and explore dynamic pricing strategies, balancing profit motives with consumer perceptions and competition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.


