From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A joint venture (often abbreviated JV) is an entity formed between two or more parties to undertake economic activity together. The parties agree to create a new entity by both contributing equity, and they then share in the revenues, expenses, and control of the enterprise. The venture can be for one specific project only, or a continuing business relationship such as the Sony Ericsson joint venture. This is in contrast to a strategic alliance, which involves no equity stake by the participants, and is a much less rigid arrangement.

The phrase generally refers to the purpose of the entity and not to a type of entity. Therefore, a joint venture may be a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other legal structure, depending on a number of considerations such as tax and tort liability.

[edit] When are joint ventures used?

Joint ventures are not common in the oil and gas industry, and are often cooperations between a local and foreign company (about 3/4 are international). A joint venture is often seen as a very viable business alternative in this sector, as the companies can complement their skill sets while it offers the foreign company a geographic presence. Studies show a failure rate of 30-61%, and that 60% failed to start or faded away within 5 years. (Osborn, 2003) It is also known that joint ventures in low-developed countries show a greater instability, and that JVs involving government partners have higher incidence of failure (private firms seem to be better equipped to supply key skills, marketing networks etc.) Furthermore, JVs have shown to fail miserably under highly volatile demand and rapid changes in product technology.^{[citation needed]}

Some countries, such as the People's Republic of China and to some extent India, require foreign companies to form joint ventures with domestic firms in order to enter a market. This requirement often forces technology transfers and managerial control to the domestic partner.

Another form joint ventures may take are the Joint Ventures (JV's) in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico dedicated to the conservation of priority bird species and their associated habitats. Each of these JV's is different in how they go about their respective missions, but all try to follow the principles of Strategic Habitat Conservation (SHC). SHC combines biological planning, conservation design, conservation delivery, and evaluation and monitoring. Gulf Coast Joint Venture, Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture, and Prairie Pothole Joint Venture are just three of the 20+ JV's found in North America.

[edit] Brokers

In addition, joint ventures are practiced by a joint venture broker, who are people that often put together the two parties that participate in a joint venture. A joint venture broker then often make a percentage of the profit that is made from the deal between the two parties.

[edit] Reasons for forming a joint venture

Internal reasons

1. Build on company's strengths
2. Spreading costs and risks
3. Improving access to financial resources
4. Economies of scale and advantages of size
5. Access to new technologies and customers
6. Access to innovative managerial practices

Competitive goals

1. Influencing structural evolution of the industry
2. Pre-empting competition
3. Defensive response to blurring industry boundaries
4. Creation of stronger competitive units
5. Speed to market
6. Improved agility

Strategic goals

1. Synergies
2. Transfer of technology/skills
3. Diversification

[edit] Examples

The most famous JV today which is also a success story is Mittal- Arcelor another is TATA- Corus.

• INTO University Partnerships specialises in creating JVs with British universities
• AutoAlliance International, (Ford + Mazda)
• Brewers Retail Inc., (Inbev, Molson Coors + Sapporo Breweries)
• Bank DnB NORD, (DnB NOR + NORD/LB)
• Equilon, (Texaco + Shell)
• Strategic Alliance, (Northwest Airlines + KLM Royal Dutch Airlines)
• LG.Philips Components, (LG + Philips)
• NUMMI, (General Motors + Toyota)
• Penske Truck Leasing, (GE + Penske)
• Sony Ericsson, (Sony + Ericsson)
• TNK-BP, (BP and TNK (Tyumen Oil Co.))
• Verizon Wireless , (Verizon Communications and Vodafone)
• CW Television Network (CBS Corporation and Time Warner)
• The Baseball Network (ABC, NBC, and Major League Baseball)
• The Prime Time Entertainment Network from the Prime Time Consortium, (Warner Bros. and the Chris-Craft group of independent stations.)
• The XFL, (NBC and World Wrestling Entertainment)
• The Nokia Siemens Networks between Nokia and Siemens AG
• The Balfour Beatty Skanska, construction contractors (Balfour Beatty and Skanska)
• Shell-Mex and BP, Shell and British Petroleum (1931-1975)
• United Launch Alliance (ULA), (Boeing and Lockheed Martin).
• Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Sony Music Entertainment (part of Sony) and Bertelsmann Music Group (part of Bertelsmann)

[edit] External links

• Cornell Law School's Joint Venture Info Page Contains legal information and relevant definitions regarding joint venture partnerships.
• Gulf Coast Joint Venture
• Lower Mississippi River Joint Venture
• Prairie Pothole Joint Venture