In recent years, the rapid development in International Joint Ventures (IJV) has been a significant phenomenon under the global economy, especially in the developing countries. However, high failure rates and hence the huge investment risks make the promised advantages unpredictable. In this study, we explore the role of Enterprise System (ES) implementation in the journey of IJV development. We study the impacts of ES to IJV through a comparison study for their relationship that involves three scenarios: implementing ES prior to, parallel to, or after IJV operation. We then construct a generic framework for the optimal strategy based on findings from both ES and IJV literature. We also use a comparative case study approach to illustrate the value of this framework. We conclude our study with some discussions on possible extensions to innovation management as future research directions.