Learning to contract while digitalizing: Joint intra-contract learning to develop data clauses

Digitalization entails using digital technologies to fundamentally transform both intra- and inter-organizational processes of organizations, and as such also greatly impacts inter-organizational governance. A challenging aspect of digitalization is the rapid rate with which new digital technologies are developed. Moreover, organizations typically need time to develop insights into how (new) technologies can best be leveraged. Since digitalization also requires organizations to learn process about the new (upcoming) technologies and their possibilities, the effective support of digitalization in using contractual and relational governance mechanisms is likely to require learning as well. This learning usually occurs within a single contract period because of the pressure on organizations to reap the benefits of their digitalization efforts within the current, often long-term, contract. A single longitudinal case study was investigated with two embedded cases, each focusing on a maintenance outsourcing contract that was to be digitalized. These two embedded cases illustrate that intra-contract learning regarding digitalization involves significant post-formation adjustments to both contractual governance through the (re)design of contractual data clauses and relational governance through increased formalization of cooperative norms with the relationship.