Can the private sector alone tackle climate change? No, says Dr. Jonathan Doh, associate dean of Research and Global Engagement at the Villanova School of Business, and the Herbert G. Rammrath Endowed Chair in International Business. It will take partnerships with governments and individuals, either personally or as a collective civil society. And …

In the first part of this conversation, Bernadette Goratowski talked with Dr. Steve Andriole, the Thomas G. Labrecque Endowed Chair in Business, about the role artificial intelligence could play in the business world. Here, they continue the conversation, discussing the future of professions like accounting, and how people should prepare for what’s…

It’s possible that some of the tasks that now take a business professional could soon be handed over to artificial intelligence systems, like Chat GPT. Dr. Steve Andriole, the Thomas G. Labrecque Endowed Chair in Business, talks about what that would look like, why emerging professionals should learn their way through this new world, and why busine…

This episode of Inspiring Minds is about corporate social responsibility, how companies pay taxes, and whether there’s any relationship between the two. But it’s also about the value of returning to a question long after the research papers have been written, to see if the ideas hold true – and how Villanova’s mission demands that business leaders …

Economics doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s also about human rights, environmental rights, and people’s expectations of living a safe and prosperous life. Chris Jeffords, PhD, associate teaching professor, Economics, studies how these areas overlap. In this episode of Inspiring minds, he talks with Austin Glass ’22 VSB about his research and how to b…

Millions of people have been working from home for many months due to the pandemic. The shift has drastically altered commuting habits, spending patterns and --for many -- workplace communication. People feel disconnected from their colleagues and cranky about perceived slights. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Jake Galgano ‘21 VSB talks with Ma…

In this episode of Inspiring Minds, alumni Chris Josephs '18 VSB and Ryan Mazzie '18 VSB talk with Assistant Professor of the Practice Keith Wright, Accounting & Information Systems, about their highly successful tech start-up and the mindset of younger investors, who are used to sharing their entire lives online, including what stocks they buy and…

For many people, the path to success can seem hard to follow. Even high-achieving students and employees can find themselves unsure about which choice to make when they reach a fork in the road. Critical decisions can be easier to make with the help of a mentor. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Patrick Haley ‘21 VSB talks with Joyce E. A. Russel…

Payday lenders have few friends in the financial world. But without them, people who are unbanked would lose access to cash for necessary expenses. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Kelsea Wong ‘21 VSB talks with Father Craig McMahon, Assistant Professor, Economics, about the complicated realities of the payday loan market, including the viabilit…

When your flight arrives at gate K, how long will it take you to walk to gate C, where your connecting flight departs? What about a walk from your hotel on 37th street to a park on 45th? Cities and businesses label our journeys in myriad ways, and those labels have an effect on how we perceive distance. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Liz Ford …

By Villanova School of Business

Many companies make the decision to outsource some of their IT systems, such as payroll, because outsourcing can improve efficiency and reduce costs. But outsourcing contracts can also be used as an accounting trick, to make a company seem to be more profitable than it really is. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Susan Rykowski ‘20 VSB talks with…

Typically, a management team runs a company and a board of directors monitors that team. Directors need to act in the best interest of shareholders, even if their decisions go against the management team. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Jacob Bank VSB talks with Tina Yang, PhD, Associate Professor, Finance about the impact of Directors and Offi…

Closing the gender pay gap has become a goal for many companies -- and many countries. But the process isn’t as simple as giving every woman a raise. So how can companies adjust pay disparities while boosting morale and making themselves attractive to strong female candidates? In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Kelsea Wong ‘21 VSB talks with David…

In a globally connected world, societal challenges affect organizations across all sectors. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Nicole Anderson ‘19 VSB talks with Jonathan Doh, PhD, Associate Dean of Research, Herbert G. Rammrath Endowed Chair in International Business and Co-Faculty Director for The Elenore and Robert F. Moran Sr. Center for Globa…

Can you understand a company’s culture by crunching the numbers? In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Emily Brown ‘19 VSB talks with Jennifer Altamuro, PhD, Associate Professor, Accounting about a recent paper she co-authored that focuses on corporate culture in the pharmaceutical industry. Dr. Altamuro and her colleagues used data about compliance …

The trade policies of the U.S. government has become a newsworthy issue in recent years. As the Trump administration renegotiate trade deals and levies tariffs on broad sectors of imports, how do those policy changes affect American producers and consumers? In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Chidinma Chioke ‘21 VSB talks with Michelle Casario, PhD…

It seems the “Gig Economy” is here to stay. More people are working in nontraditional arrangements with employers than ever before. But are those workers happier -- and better off -- than salaried employees? In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Lucy Finnegan ‘18 VSB talks with Cheryl Carleton, PhD, Assistant Professor, Economics and Mary Kelly, PhD,…

Compared to the heyday of manufacturing, the annual growth of the U.S. economy has slowed. Individual corporations perform well, but that performance doesn’t seem to lift all boats. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Lauren Cooper ‘19 VSB talks with Miron Wolnicki, PhD, Associate Professor, Economics about his ideas for boosting economic growth vi…

Nonprofit organizations do good work, but only if they can attract enough donors to support their mission. Donors crave information to help them make their donation decisions, and effective nonprofit organizations feed that craving with radical transparency. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Manny Garcia ‘18 VSB talks with Erica Harris, PhD, The …

Among investors, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are gaining unprecedented popularity. Like mutual funds, they hold a portfolio of multiple securities in various asset classes providing more efficient long and short exposures. Additionally, because ETFs are traded like stocks, they provide much greater liquidity to investors. But, how do ETFs affect t…

It’s never been easier to catch a ride. Companies like Uber and Lyft have filled the gaps left by taxi services and mass transit, attracting customers with a streamlined user experience. But how have ridesharing companies affected the revenue of taxi drivers and the valuation of taxi medallions, or licenses? In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Ian …

The days of the barking boss should be long behind us, but research shows that 65 percent of employees have witnessed derogatory behavior in the workplace within the past year. Workplace aggression is traumatic for its victims, but the negative effects can spread to bystanders, creating a toxic environment. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Alexa…

A diverse workforce can be a competitive advantage for companies by developing dynamic capabilities and enhancing work processes. But in order to tap those advantages, it’s not enough to hire a diverse workforce. Managers and executives must actively work to create a climate that welcomes the participation of new perspectives. In this episode of In…

The business world is globally connected. It’s no easy task to run the numbers on companies that cross borders, and differences between International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) used in the United States complicate matters. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Angela Chen ‘17 VSB talks…

In the wake of the financial crisis of 2008, many financial institutions were motivated to diversify their loan portfolios by lending overseas. When there’s an increase in lending from one country to another, how does that affect the likelihood of a financial system failure? In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Carl Sonnenschein ‘17 VSB talks with J…

In a company, no one is an island. Employees are usually part of one or more work teams -- often grouped with colleagues from different cultural and functional backgrounds. A team’s collective personality can be a help -- or a hindrance -- as it strives for synergy. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Caroline Manion ‘17 VSB talks with Narda Quigle…

Analytics has long been a part of baseball. Because batters and pitchers perform in a series of discrete events, the sport lends itself to statistical analysis. But what about a free-flowing, low-scoring, and complex game like soccer? The discrete events might be harder to spot, but a statistical analysis can still be part of a winning season. In t…

When a private equity firm buys a publicly traded company, lots of things change in the corporate environment. The organizational structure, the influence of the board, and the incentives for managers can all shift dramatically. But how do these types of buyouts affect the efficiency of cashflow? We’ll find out in this episode of Inspiring Minds, a…

If companies don’t embrace changing technology, they will fail. But change is hard, and sometimes scary. How can business leaders overcome fear within their teams to keep pace with the competition? And is all new technology a perfect fit for every company? In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Madeline Shiley ‘17 VSB talks with Stephen Andriole, PhD,…

The world produces a lot of food. So much, in fact, that a great deal of it is wasted before it can be consumed. From farmers to consumers, and every step in between, greater emphasis can be placed on reducing food waste. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Alex Riesterer ’17 VSB talks with Beth Vallen, PhD, Associate Professor of Marketing & Busin…

The US Catholic Church has experienced enormous changes in the last 30 years, including demographic, financial, and pastoral changes. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, we’ll find out how those realities shape the ways Church officials are planning -- and adjusting to -- the future. Listen as Matthew Plucienik ’17 VSB talks with Charles Zech, PhD,…

Companies have long sought to reduce costs by sending work to remote sites overseas. What are the effects of offshoring on a complex and fast-paced industry, such as public accounting? In this episode of Inspiring Minds, we’ll hear about the kinds of audit tasks that are sent to overseas firms, how that strategy can empower local staff who are new …

The DiLella Center for Real Estate will soon celebrate its 10 year anniversary. To mark the occasion, we’ll hear from Shawn Howton, PhD, the faculty director of the DiLella Center. Dr. Howton tells Matt Zaboudil ’17 VSB about the origins of the center, highlights of the curriculum and describes the robust alumni network that contributes to a family…

In recent years, the cost of prescription medication has been volatile. Changes in the insurance market, new regulations on wholesalers and the entrance of companies like FedEx and UPS into the retail-delivery market have all affected the profits of drug companies. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, we’ll get a look at the recent history and the n…

On Wall Street, so-called passive investments have become very popular. Leading the way are ETFs, or Exchange Traded Funds. They gather equities or bonds into huge baskets that trade throughout the day. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Tyler Bausinger ‘17 VSB talks with Caitlin Dannhauser, PhD, Assistant Professor, Finance about her research int…

Institutions like the World Bank can have a large effect on developing countries. The funding they provide has the potential to improve -- and even save -- the lives of millions of people. The funding they provide also has the potential to keep governments in power. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, we'll find out how an incumbent government's al…

The most expensive commercials on television air during the Super Bowl. Companies spend millions of dollars for a 30-second opportunity to reach consumers. Is it worth the money? Lots of those ads use animals and celebrities, and in this episode of Inspiring Minds, we’ll find out which is more effective at raising brand awareness as Claire Asmussen…

In Hollywood, opening weekend can make or break a movie -- or a career. Globally, ticket sales are increasing, but movie piracy is on the rise. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, we’ll delve into the mind of the movie pirate. Is it stealing or sharing? Does it really hurt anyone? And is it more fun to stream a movie on a laptop or head to the mult…

Across the country, workers and politicians are advocating for a federal $15 minimum wage. Some states have already adopted that standard, but many others use the current rate of $7.25. Still others have no minimum wage at all. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, we’ll look at how those disparities affect the rate of job creation and destruction. L…

When investors send their money abroad, they want to understand the foreign market. Each country has different customs, rules and levels of corruption. Not surprisingly, transparent countries are easiest to invest in. However, it turns out that a little corruption is worse than a lot. Find out why in this episode of Inspiring Minds as Jeanette Ding…

Two women walk into a clothing store. One is white, and the other’s skin is dark. Are they treated differently by the staff? The short answer is yes. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, we’ll hear a deeper investigation of minorities in the marketplace, which reveals a complex web of discrimination and expectations that often leads to unequal treat…