Relational Contracting

We provide strategic legal and business advice on relational contracts. A relational contract helps organizations address many of the challenges of conducting business in an economy characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. Long-term business relationships have become a crucial competitive advantage in the network economy. However, companies and organizations struggle to establish and abide by a set of rules that can be used as a foundation for collaboration that generates value. 

A foundation for collaboration 

Research and experience demonstrate that traditional transactional agreements are often an ineffective way to create the type of partnerships that successful commercial relationships often require. This is where relational contracts come in. We have assisted several large Nordic companies and organizations over the years in areas such as IT outsourcing, business process outsourcing, and strategic partnerships. 

Versatile contracts 

Based on award-winning research in behavioral economics and other fields, relational contracts have the following functions: 

  • focus on relationships rather than transactions; 
  • create partnerships instead of arm’s length relationships; 
  • integrate value-creating social norms as an integral aspect of commercial relationships; 
  • diminish risk by aligning interests. 
  • Provide a flexible framework and acknowledge that all contracts are imperfect. 

Cirio is a thought leader in relational contracts and provides a unique set of services: 

  • Assessments of compatibility and trust between organizations, known as CaT analyses. 
  • Drafting and negotiation of relational contracts. 
  • Offering a neutral advisor to support organizations in relational partnerships. 

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