Contracts to frame sustainable futures : The rational and symbolic sides of contract functions and dysfunctions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine what role the contract can, or should, have to frame sustainable futures. Design/methodology/approach – Theoretical discussion, implementation of action‐based scenarios method. Findings – In a sustainable perspective, function and dysfunction of contracts relate to irreversibility to be designed as transfer, stalemate, oscillation and phase lag. Research limitations/implications – Contracts appear as the product of a rational decision, settling the interactions between contracting parties, as well as being a symbolic act. Originality/value – The paper discusses contracts in a long range perspective through the implementation of action‐based scenarios method.