Communication Networks in

Organizations.
Presented by:

 Afifa Mujahid (3943)

 Huda yaqoob (3933)
 Ayesha Rehman (3935)
 Rabia Afzal (3944)

Communication networks in organizations

Layout:
 Communication Network
 Role of communication in organization
 Organizational structure
 Formal
 Downward Communication
 Upward Communication
 Horizontal Communication
 Centralized Networks
 Media used
 Decentralized Networks
 Media used

Communication networks in organizations

Cont…

 Network performance
 Gatekeepers
 Informal
Grapevine
Media used
 Conclusion

Communication networks in organizations

Communication Network

Communication Network is the

regular pattern, system or
structure, designed or built up
along hierarchical or person to
person relationship through which
information flows in an
organization.
It has regularity in its pattern or
structure.
CN can be Formal and Informal.
Communication networks in organizations
 The Role of Communication in
Organizations
Key purposes:
 Direct action: to get others to behave in
desired fashion
 Achieve coordinated action

 Systematic sharing of information

+ Interpersonal side with the focus on
interpersonal relations between
people
Communication networks in organizations
Cont...

 Properly managing communication

processes is central to organizational
functioning.
Organizational Structure:
Directing the Flow of
Messages
Organizational structure:
 The formally prescribed pattern of
interrelationships existing between the
various units of an organization
 Dictating who may and may not
communicate with whom
 Abstract construction
 Depicted in Organizational Charts

Communication networks in organizations

Types of communication
networks

 Formal communication network

 Centralized
 Decentralized
 Informal communication network

Communication networks in organizations

Formal Communication

 The process of sharing official

information with others who need to know
it, according to the prescribed patterns
depicted in an organization chart.

Communication networks in organizations

Formal Communication
 Downward Communication:
 Instructions, directions, orders
 Feedback
 Upward Communication:
 Data required to complete projects
 Status reports
 Suggestions for improvement, new ideas
 Horizontal Communication:
 Coordination of cooperation

Communication networks in organizations

 Formal Communication
President

Instructions and directives

Information

Vice Vice
President President

Manager Manager Manager Manager

Efforts at coordination

Communication networks in organizations

Centralized Networks

 One central person

 Unequal access to information

 Central person is at the

“crossroads” of the information flow

Communication networks in organizations

Communication Structures
Centralized

A C

E
Y

Communication networks in organizations

Communication Structures
Centralized
B

C A D

E
Wheel

Communication networks in organizations

Communication Structures
Centralized
A

Chain E

Communication networks in organizations

Decentralized Networks

 Information can flow freely

 No central person

 All members play an equal role in

the transmittal of information

Communication networks in organizations

Communication Structures
Decentralized

Circle

Communication networks in organizations

Communication Structures
Decentralized

Comcon

Communication networks in organizations

Communication Networks

Formal and Informal Channels of Communication

Network Performance

Formal and Informal Channels of Communication 11/18/2003

Gatekeepers

Formal and Informal Channels of Communication 11/18/2003

Formal Media

 Company newsletters
 Employee handbooks
 Company magazines
 Formal meetings
 Flyers and bulletins
 Memos
 Faxes
 All-employees mailings

Communication networks in organizations

Informal Communication

Information shared without any formally imposed

obligations or restrictions

If an organization’s formal communication represents its

skeleton, its informal communication constitutes its
central nervous system

Communication networks in organizations

Informal Communication
Structures

 Deviation from the planned

communication structure

 Direction of the flow of information

 Leaving out people in the
communication line
 Integrating people into the
communication line

Communication networks in organizations

 Informal Networks E C
K
H
Y G I
X
F B D
J
D E
G
J
D F H I B I
C C A
B J Probability
B A K D
Gossip C F
A Cluster A
Chain

Communication networks in organizations

“Grapevine“

1. a secret means of spreading or

receiving information
2. the informal transmission of
(unofficial) information,
gossip or rumor from person-
to-person -> "to hear about
s.th. through the grapevine"
3. a rumor: unfounded report;
hearsay
Communication networks in organizations
Cont…

Eng. “Grapevine“
 An organization’s informal channels of communication,
based mainly on friendship or acquaintance
 Origin: American civil war [grapevine telegraphs]

Communication networks in organizations

Informal Media

 Face-to-face discussions
 Telephone
 Voice messaging (voice mail)
 E-mail
 Instant messaging (chat)

Communication networks in organizations

Conclusion

Without effective communication

networks the organization cannot
work effectively.

Communication networks in organizations

Communication networks in organizations