, COM4807 ASSIGNMENT 2 2026 ANSWERS - DUE DATE 14 JULY 2026
PERSPECTIVES AND TRADITIONS OF COMMUNICATION IN THE
ORGANISATION
The Positivist Perspective
The positivist perspective in organisational communication is grounded in the belief that
communication is objective, measurable, and can be studied scientifically. This perspective
originates from the natural sciences and assumes that reality exists independently of human
interpretation. Within organisations, positivism focuses on observable communication
behaviours and the effectiveness of message transmission (Miller, 2022).
Positivists argue that communication functions as a process where information is sent from
one source to another through formal structures. The emphasis is on clarity, efficiency, and
accuracy. Communication is viewed as a tool for achieving organisational goals and
maintaining control. In many bureaucratic organisations, communication follows formal
channels such as memorandums, emails, policies, and reports. These channels are designed
to reduce ambiguity and ensure consistency.
In organisations such as Toyota, communication reflects positivist principles through
standard operating procedures and hierarchical reporting systems. Workers receive clear
instructions, and performance is monitored through measurable indicators. This structured
communication supports productivity and quality assurance.
The positivist perspective shapes organisational communication by reinforcing order and
predictability. Managers rely on this approach to monitor employee performance, evaluate
communication effectiveness, and implement strategies based on measurable outcomes.
Surveys, employee feedback forms, and communication audits are examples of positivist
tools used to improve communication systems (Shockley-Zalabak, 2023).
From a reality perspective, positivists believe in a single objective reality that can be
discovered through observation and evidence. In organisational contexts, this means
PERSPECTIVES AND TRADITIONS OF COMMUNICATION IN THE
ORGANISATION
The Positivist Perspective
The positivist perspective in organisational communication is grounded in the belief that
communication is objective, measurable, and can be studied scientifically. This perspective
originates from the natural sciences and assumes that reality exists independently of human
interpretation. Within organisations, positivism focuses on observable communication
behaviours and the effectiveness of message transmission (Miller, 2022).
Positivists argue that communication functions as a process where information is sent from
one source to another through formal structures. The emphasis is on clarity, efficiency, and
accuracy. Communication is viewed as a tool for achieving organisational goals and
maintaining control. In many bureaucratic organisations, communication follows formal
channels such as memorandums, emails, policies, and reports. These channels are designed
to reduce ambiguity and ensure consistency.
In organisations such as Toyota, communication reflects positivist principles through
standard operating procedures and hierarchical reporting systems. Workers receive clear
instructions, and performance is monitored through measurable indicators. This structured
communication supports productivity and quality assurance.
The positivist perspective shapes organisational communication by reinforcing order and
predictability. Managers rely on this approach to monitor employee performance, evaluate
communication effectiveness, and implement strategies based on measurable outcomes.
Surveys, employee feedback forms, and communication audits are examples of positivist
tools used to improve communication systems (Shockley-Zalabak, 2023).
From a reality perspective, positivists believe in a single objective reality that can be
discovered through observation and evidence. In organisational contexts, this means
