TY - JOUR AB - Purpose– This study aimed to explain the high failure rate of e‐commerce ventures.Design/methodology/approach– Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to examine more than 100 e‐commerce ventures.Findings– The key failure factors for e‐commerce ventures were found to include a lack of: a sound business idea, good market knowledge, long‐term planning, external relationships, and balanced business development. Research limitations/implications– Further research is recommended to examine if the key success/failure factors for e‐commerce differ across industries and geographic markets.Practical implications– The findings strongly suggest that e‐business development is a slow and steady process, with planning and relationship building being critical to success.Original/value of paper– By systematic examining cause‐and‐effect relationships in e‐commerce ventures, this study has demonstrated the paramount importance of strategic management. VL - 7 IS - 1 SN - 1077-5730 DO - 10.1108/10775730610619034 UR - https://doi.org/10.1108/10775730610619034 AU - Martinsons Maris G. PY - 2006 Y1 - 2006/01/01 TI - Strategic management lessons from e‐commerce T2 - Handbook of Business Strategy PB - Emerald Group Publishing Limited SP - 337 EP - 340 Y2 - 2024/09/19 ER -