COM4807 ASSIGNMENT 2 2026
DUE 17 JULY 2026
a) Distinguishing Between the Positivist, Interpretivist, and Critical Perspectives
on Organisational Communication
Organisational communication can be understood through various theoretical lenses,
each offering a distinct view on the nature of reality, the role of communication, and the
function of power within organisations. This section distinguishes between the positivist
(sometimes postpositivist), interpretivist, and critical perspectives, examining their impact
on communication and their views on reality.
The Positivist Perspective
The positivist perspective views organisations as objective, concrete structures that exist
independently of their members. Rooted in the functionalist tradition, this approach seeks
to identify universal laws and causal relationships that can predict and control
organisational behaviour.
Ontology and Epistemology:
From a positivist ontology, reality is singular, tangible, and external to the individual. The
epistemological stance holds that knowledge can be gained through objective
observation and empirical measurement, mirroring the methods of the natural sciences.
The goal is to discover "truth" through value-free inquiry.
Impact on Communication:
In this view, communication is a transmission process a conduit for sending and
receiving information. The focus is on clarity, accuracy, and efficiency. Communication is
seen as a tool that can be managed to achieve organisational goals, such as increasing
productivity or reducing message distortion. Researchers operating from this perspective
,often study communication networks, channels, and message direction to understand
how information flows through the organisational system.
The Interpretivist Perspective
In contrast, the interpretivist perspective argues that organisations are socially
constructed realities, constituted through the ongoing communication of their members.
This approach, also known as social constructionism, holds that there is no single
objective reality; rather, multiple realities exist based on individual and collective
interpretations.
Ontology and Epistemology:
Interpretivism adopts a subjective ontology, where reality is created through social
interaction and shared meanings. Its epistemology is based on understanding and
interpreting these meanings from the participants' point of view. Knowledge is not
discovered but is co-created through communication.
Impact on Communication:
Communication is not merely a conduit for information but is the fundamental process
through which reality is created. It is the "substance of organising" itself. The focus shifts
from how messages move to what communication means and how it generates
shared realities, organisational culture, and identity. Researchers explore stories, rituals,
and symbols to understand how members make sense of their organisational worlds.
The Critical Perspective
The critical perspective, as articulated by scholars like Mumby and Kuhn, builds on the
interpretivist view but adds a crucial dimension: power. It argues that organisations are
not just socially constructed but are also political sites of struggle, where dominant
groups use communication to maintain their power and privilege.
, Ontology and Epistemology:
While acknowledging a socially constructed reality, the critical perspective views this
construction as being influenced by power imbalances and ideological control. Its
epistemology is explicitly value-laden, aiming to uncover hidden power structures,
challenge the status quo, and emancipate marginalized groups.
Impact on Communication:
Communication is seen as a primary vehicle for the exercise of power and control. This
includes not just overt control but also "unobtrusive" or ideological control, where
employees come to accept the dominant group's values as their own. Critical scholars
examine how communication can be distorted by power to create hegemony, silence
dissent, and privilege certain interests over others.
Feature Positivist Interpretivist Critical Perspective
Perspective Perspective
View of Reality Objective, Subjective, socially Socially constructed,
tangible, singular constructed, multiple but shaped by power
Role of Transmission of Constitutive process Vehicle for power,
Communication information of creating meaning control, and ideology
Purpose of Study Predict and Understand shared Unmask power
control behaviour meanings and structures and
realities emancipate
DUE 17 JULY 2026
a) Distinguishing Between the Positivist, Interpretivist, and Critical Perspectives
on Organisational Communication
Organisational communication can be understood through various theoretical lenses,
each offering a distinct view on the nature of reality, the role of communication, and the
function of power within organisations. This section distinguishes between the positivist
(sometimes postpositivist), interpretivist, and critical perspectives, examining their impact
on communication and their views on reality.
The Positivist Perspective
The positivist perspective views organisations as objective, concrete structures that exist
independently of their members. Rooted in the functionalist tradition, this approach seeks
to identify universal laws and causal relationships that can predict and control
organisational behaviour.
Ontology and Epistemology:
From a positivist ontology, reality is singular, tangible, and external to the individual. The
epistemological stance holds that knowledge can be gained through objective
observation and empirical measurement, mirroring the methods of the natural sciences.
The goal is to discover "truth" through value-free inquiry.
Impact on Communication:
In this view, communication is a transmission process a conduit for sending and
receiving information. The focus is on clarity, accuracy, and efficiency. Communication is
seen as a tool that can be managed to achieve organisational goals, such as increasing
productivity or reducing message distortion. Researchers operating from this perspective
,often study communication networks, channels, and message direction to understand
how information flows through the organisational system.
The Interpretivist Perspective
In contrast, the interpretivist perspective argues that organisations are socially
constructed realities, constituted through the ongoing communication of their members.
This approach, also known as social constructionism, holds that there is no single
objective reality; rather, multiple realities exist based on individual and collective
interpretations.
Ontology and Epistemology:
Interpretivism adopts a subjective ontology, where reality is created through social
interaction and shared meanings. Its epistemology is based on understanding and
interpreting these meanings from the participants' point of view. Knowledge is not
discovered but is co-created through communication.
Impact on Communication:
Communication is not merely a conduit for information but is the fundamental process
through which reality is created. It is the "substance of organising" itself. The focus shifts
from how messages move to what communication means and how it generates
shared realities, organisational culture, and identity. Researchers explore stories, rituals,
and symbols to understand how members make sense of their organisational worlds.
The Critical Perspective
The critical perspective, as articulated by scholars like Mumby and Kuhn, builds on the
interpretivist view but adds a crucial dimension: power. It argues that organisations are
not just socially constructed but are also political sites of struggle, where dominant
groups use communication to maintain their power and privilege.
, Ontology and Epistemology:
While acknowledging a socially constructed reality, the critical perspective views this
construction as being influenced by power imbalances and ideological control. Its
epistemology is explicitly value-laden, aiming to uncover hidden power structures,
challenge the status quo, and emancipate marginalized groups.
Impact on Communication:
Communication is seen as a primary vehicle for the exercise of power and control. This
includes not just overt control but also "unobtrusive" or ideological control, where
employees come to accept the dominant group's values as their own. Critical scholars
examine how communication can be distorted by power to create hegemony, silence
dissent, and privilege certain interests over others.
Feature Positivist Interpretivist Critical Perspective
Perspective Perspective
View of Reality Objective, Subjective, socially Socially constructed,
tangible, singular constructed, multiple but shaped by power
Role of Transmission of Constitutive process Vehicle for power,
Communication information of creating meaning control, and ideology
Purpose of Study Predict and Understand shared Unmask power
control behaviour meanings and structures and
realities emancipate
