Exploring e-business strategies in China: comparing internet pioneers and internet pragmatists

China is experiencing rapid growth with respect to all types of e-business applications. This paper addresses how Chinese companies have developed or adapted e-business strategies. To this end, e-business enabled value creation is explored using an integrated framework that incorporates two strategic perspectives (the environmental view and the resource-based view). Nine in-depth case studies of leading Chinese companies are undertaken, across three distinct industries housing development, manufacturing, and B2C retail. A further distinction is drawn between ‘Internet pragmatists’ and ‘Internet pioneers’. The findings highlight some of the key characteristics of e-business strategy formulation, as well as how e-business value creation features differently between pioneers and pragmatists.