A strategic alliance refers to a collaborative partnership between two or more organizations with the objective of achieving shared goals while maintaining their individual identities. Strategic alliances can take various forms, such as joint ventures, partnerships, or collaborations, and they often involve sharing risks, resources, and knowledge to achieve common objectives.

Example
Strategic alliance is the partnership between Starbucks and Nestlé. In 2018, these two companies formed a global coffee alliance to accelerate the global expansion of Starbucks' consumer packaged goods and premium ready-to-drink products. Nestlé gained the rights to market, sell, and distribute Starbucks' packaged coffee and tea products worldwide. This strategic alliance allowed Starbucks to access Nestlé's vast distribution network and global reach, while Nestlé benefitted from the strong brand reputation and market presence of Starbucks.