Relational base contracts – Needs and trends in Northern Europe

Abstract

Starting from a large case project in Norway, a research gap was identified concerning analyses of experiences in the use of different relational contract models. This study explores the experiences with relational contracts in large infrastructure projects in selected countries. We looked at what types of contracts were applied, why these, what were the experiences, and what contract strategies will be used in the future. Based on findings of this study, it is not easy to identify patterns in factors that influence the choice of contract. Rather, it seems that each country’s selected approach is incidental. Each country selected approach after experts advocated a certain model or practitioners who have applied a certain model. We observed that targeted countries could somehow be grouped in two. In Sweden and Denmark relational contracts seem to be more about attitude rather than formal contract regulations. In the UK, Finland and the Netherlands relational contracts seem to be more dependent on formal contract regulations. The future trend seems to be a more widespread the use of relational contracts.