This Week in Business

Rob DiGisi, Lecturer in Legal Studies and Business Ethics at the Wharton School, joins the show to discuss how recent gambling indictments involving NBA figures reveal the complex intersection of legality, ethics, and integrity in professional sports—and why issues like prop bets, player vulnerability, and federal cooperation continue to shape the future of regulated sports wagering.

Ben Keys, Wharton Real Estate Professor, discusses the renewed interest in adjustable-rate mortgages, outlining how these products can offer short-term savings for homebuyers facing steep housing costs and elevated interest rates, while also exploring the long-term risks and strategic considerations involved.

Gad Allon, Wharton Professor of Operations, Information, and Decisions, explores the current state of global supply chains—from the lingering effects of the pandemic and industrial disruptions to the trade-offs between cost efficiency and resilience—and explains how emerging technologies like AI and digital twins are reshaping how companies prepare for and manage risk in an increasingly volatile world.

Judd Kessler, Wharton Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy, discusses his research examining how the framing of organ donor registration questions—such as opt-in versus yes/no formats—impacts real-world donor sign-ups, revealing surprising insights about what truly drives people to say “yes” to saving lives.

Angela Duckworth, Wharton Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions, shares findings from her national Phones in Focus survey, revealing how stricter school cell phone policies correlate with improved student attention, teacher satisfaction, and social engagement while exploring the broader implications for learning and youth well-being.

Philip Nichols, Wharton Professor of Legal Studies, Business Ethics, and Social Responsibility in Business, discusses how growing executive authority and government involvement in companies like Intel reflect a historic transformation in the U.S. business landscape—one that leaves corporate leaders navigating unprecedented legal and social uncertainty.

Burcu Esmer, Senior Lecturer in Finance at the Wharton School and Co-Director of the Harris Family Alternative Investment Program, joins to discuss Electronic Arts’ proposed $55 billion acquisition involving Silver Lake, Affinity Partners, and the Saudi Public Investment Fund—exploring its implications for private equity, the gaming industry, and the future of global entertainment investments.

David Zaring, Wharton Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics, explores the legal complexities, historical precedents, and potential reforms shaping the Federal Reserve’s independence as tensions grow between central bank autonomy and presidential authority.

Stefano Puntoni, Wharton Marketing Professor and Co-Director of Wharton Human AI Research, explores the latest developments in artificial intelligence, including massive vertical integration deals, high-profile copyright settlements, and new frontiers in synthetic data that are transforming how businesses understand consumers.