Relational contracting in Nordic construction

a comparative longitudinal account of institutional field developments and learning mechanisms

Abstract

Relational contracting increasingly used to enable resource efficiency and inter-organizational collaboration in complex and uncertain construction projects, but it has proved hard to sustain legitimacy and enable industry-level learning over time. In this paper, we compare the developments in relational contracting in four Nordic countries over 30 years using an institutional perspective. The countries share similar in problem perceptions and other factors triggering de-institutionalization but differ in dissemination patterns and models, key actors, structures for knowledge development, terminology and legitimacy challenges. In general, there is a need to find ways to combine higher collaborative competence and shared practices with broad dissemination.