A decade ago, IBM and Apple launched a much-touted strategic alliance, including investments in joint ventures and research. Together, they would take on Intel and Microsoft. It didn't happen. Eight years later the alliance faded away, leaving unfulfilled hopes, frayed relationships and wasted effort.
Analysts argue over what caused each link-up to fail.
Some blame egos and clashing cultures, others cite business conflicts and ruthless competition. For the same reason, many of today's digital alliances will fail. If companies cannot gain market share and strategic dominance rapidly, the argument goes, they must find partners.