Enforcement Gap (Contracts)

Definition

The distance between contract terms and actual enforced behaviour. Gaps emerge from incomplete monitoring, enforcement costs, relationship considerations, and deliberate non-enforcement.

Example

A contract specifies maintenance standards. Monitoring is expensive and incomplete. Standards are violated. The public lacks resources or will to enforce. The gap between contract and practice widens.

Source

WCF Section 5

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Related Terms from Why Contracts Fail

Structural Incompleteness

Contractual Rigidity

Renegotiation Dynamics

Opportunistic Behavior Window

Contract Failure Mode

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Why Contracts Fail