Chapter 11: Communication Structures and Processes

The nature of semantic communications and its processes within the context of viable systems is to be explored here. It draws on a couple of notions. Firstly that while communications can be defined in terms of information, social action can be seen to occur in terms of systems of communication (through Luhmann). Secondly that social action can be seen in terms of a semantic sharing, which occurs through a communication process (through Habermas). This develops into principles and approaches to action research. The practical approach concerns the development and implementation of action research approaches that share semantics across a community.