Cultural Differences

Cultural and ideological differences top the list. In evaluating joint venture partners, most companies don’t perform a proper compatibility and integration analysis. Neither make they a thorough evaluation of corporate culture and management style. As a result, they fail to find a way to blend their differences, which makes their joint ventures unstable.

Poor Leadership

Poor or unclear leaders is another top reason of joint venture failure. Too often, joint venture partners insist on sharing a project leadership role. When the parties disagree, a standoff occurs. If the parties don’t agree from the very beginning who will have day-to-day operational control of the project and how fundamental decision will be made, the JV is bound to fail.

12 Major Causes of Failure in Leadership

Insufficient Planning

Insufficient planning is also one of the most prevalent reasons for failed joint ventures. Too often, a joint venture “plan” consists of nothing more than a statement of each party’s intended contributions to the project and their respective share of the profits. This seldom works.

If the parties wish their joint venture to succeed, they should agree to a comprehensive written plan upfront. The plan should include provisions for future contributions, logistical issues, governance of the joint venture, dispute resolution, ownership of jointly-developed assets, including intellectual property; The term and termination of the joint venture, including provisions for winding up its business.