Power, knowledge legitimation, and the silenced viewpoint in technical communication

This study reveals more information about the hypothesis that those who have been overlooked are not left without power---instead, their knowledge still has the potential to be realized even when social, economic, and political tensions lead to the suppression of some knowledge over others. The results for this study are based on an extensive case study of the discourse surrounding an environmental disaster. In addition to confirming current assumptions about power and knowledge legitimation in the communication of environmental or risk failures, this study contributes new knowledge by showing how collaboration between the public and corporation can be used not only to prevent communication and mechanical failures from occurring, but also to handle environmental, risk problems after they occur. This new assumption is that after an environmental disaster, the public is empowered to take action by collaborating with a corporation to determine the best route to recovery.