Wharton School Business Journal Knowledge@Wharton Announces Launch of Chinese Version

SHANGHAI & PHILADELPHIA, Pa., March 22, 2005 — Knowledge@Wharton, the online research and business analysis journal of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, today launched a free Chinese version of its website called China Knowledge@Wharton. The new site, which is published in Chinese, enables Knowledge@Wharton to reach management leaders in Chinese-reading populations worldwide.

China Knowledge@Wharton in simplified Chinese (requires Chinese character fonts):
http://knowledgeatwharton.com.cn/index.cfm

China Knowledge@Wharton in English:
http://knowledgeatwharton.com.cn/index.cfm?languageid=1

The new version was launched in recognition of the growing importance of China’s economy. Prior to the launch, there were over 150 Knowledge@Wharton articles in English that mention China. Knowledge@Wharton also has published special reports on China, including a recent one with the Boston Consulting Group. And as the Asia/Pacific region represents the second largest subscriber base of all Knowledge@Wharton English readers, significant interest among Chinese speaking readers is anticipated.

“The Wharton School is pleased to launch China Knowledge@Wharton,” said Wharton Dean Patrick T. Harker. “This new version furthers Wharton’s educational mission of advancing global business practice by expanding our ability to disseminate the research and business knowledge created by our faculty to readers around the world.”

Added Mukul Pandya, editor and director of Knowledge@Wharton: “The launch of China Knowledge@Wharton reflects the vital role China plays in the world today, as the world’s fastest growing economy. But it is also a reflection of Knowledge@Wharton’s own dramatic growth, attracting a loyal readership constantly seeking deep insights into a range of business issues.”

The Chinese version will provide articles and research papers in its database from existing Knowledge@Wharton content as well as articles uniquely created for the new version. The site will be published from Shanghai and will be funded by donations as well as corporate sponsorships. The founding sponsors of China Knowledge@Wharton include RGM International, Ta Ya Group, Yageo and Asia Pacific Telecom Group.

The launch was announced today at a special Wharton School event in Shanghai at the Grand Hyatt Hotel attended by Wharton Deputy Dean David Schmittlein and Knowledge@Wharton Editor Mukul Pandya. The first Chinese edition includes a special interview with Haier Group CEO Zhang Ruimin. In addition, readers will find a Boston Consulting Group and Knowledge@Wharton special report on “Overcoming the Challenges in China Operations.” Experts at BCG and Wharton weigh in on such issues as developing management talent, R&D operations, sourcing of high-tech and traditional goods, and logistics. In addition, the CEO of TCL, one of China’s largest companies, discusses his company’s experiences in the global marketplace.

About Knowledge@Wharton and the Wharton School
Knowledge@Wharton is a biweekly online resource that captures knowledge generated at Wharton through such channels as research papers, conferences, books, and interviews with faculty on current business topics, and distributes that knowledge online to a global business audience. The site, which also delivers regular email updates, is free and can be accessed at Knowledge@Wharton. Prior to this launch, Knowledge@Wharton had over 450,000 subscribers. This will be the fourth language in which Knowledge@Wharton publishes content. In addition to English, it publishes in Spanish and Portuguese in collaboration with Universia.net. The Knowledge@Wharton network also includes affiliates such as Knowledge@Emory. Sponsors of Knowledge@Wharton include Boston Consulting Group, GE Commercial Finance, and Cisco.

The website contains more than 1,500 articles and research papers in its database and more are added every week. Over the past five years, Knowledge@Wharton has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, BusinessWeek, the Economist Intelligence Unit, Information Week and several other publications.

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is recognized around the world for its academic strengths across every major discipline and at every level of business education. Founded in 1881 as the first collegiate business school in the nation, Wharton has approximately 4,600 undergraduate, MBA, Executive MBA, and doctoral students, more than 8,000 participants in its executive education programs annually, and an alumni network of more than 80,000 worldwide.