Strategic alliances involve voluntary arrangements between two or more parties to pool resources and achieve common objectives while remaining independent. They involve sharing products, services, and processes. Forming a strategic alliance involves strategy development, partner assessment, contract negotiation, and operating the alliance. Alliances can be equity-based or non-equity based. Global strategic alliances involve partnerships across national boundaries. Successful alliances include Starbucks partnerships with bookstores and airlines, Apple with Clearwell, and HP with Disney for virtual attractions.