Collaborative action research: exploring epistemological foundations and the value for organisational communication and public relations

Purpose This article explores collaborative action research and examines its relevance for the fields of organisational communication and public relations. Design/methodology/approach This article focuses on participatory action research and, more specifically, on collaborative or partnership research and its relevance to the fields of organisational communication and public relations studies. Findings Drawing on more than a decade of collaborative research experience, it proposes a theoretical framework for understanding how knowledge is co-constructed between researchers and practitioners along a continuum, from practical and situated knowledge to broader, generalisable insights. The article highlights the methodological, ethical, and political challenges of collaborative action research, and illustrates its potential through two empirical studies focused on emerging communication phenomena within organisations. It argues that collaborative action research enables not only the production of new knowledge but also the transformation of organisational practices and the strengthening of critical, socially engaged research within our disciplinary fields. Originality/value The aim of this article is to provide examples of collaborative research in organisational communication and to propose conceptual tools to support methodological discussions in this field.