Channels and Networks of communication

 Downward communication flows from top of

the organization down through various levels
to the bottom along the scalar chain. It
relates to-
Instructions relating to job.
Feedback of performance.
Reprimands and criticisms.
Organizational policies, rules &
procedures.
Help`s in explaining the organization`s policies, plans and
programs, work methodologies to the members .
Used to control the activities of the subordinates .
Helps the subordinates to know what is expected of them,
and puts a check on the unreasonable demands.
Bring satisfaction to people and helps motivate them.
The major weakness of downward communication is
that the information has to pass through various
hierarchical levels, and is interpreted and reinterpreted
at each intervening levels. The message may possibly
reach the bottom in a distorted and changed shape.
 It flows from a subordinate to the superior
through middle managerial levels along
the line. Such communication is of two
types-:
 Feedback of information.
 Voluntary communication.
( Complaints, suggestions, opinions,
ideas, reaction to a particular policy or
rules)
It helps the top to know the attitudes, behaviour,
opinions, actions and feelings of the workers on the job.
It creates confidence and trust in the superiors.
 It develops confidence among subordinates that they
convey their feelings and messages to top level of
organization.
Upward communication is ignored or coloured at the
intermediate levels .
o Top management is quite unwilling to listen to the juniors.
oIt may contain negative points which adversely affect the person at
the intermediate level.
Hesitation in communication with superiors.
oLack of social and verbal skill.
oGeneral belief that the management will not respond to
subordinate`s suggestions.
 Communication refers to communication between
various departments or units representing the same
level, or people within the same or different
departments ,without having a superior-
subordinate relationship. It flows between person
at the same hierarchical levels.
It helps in coordinating the activities of different
departments at the same level.
Different departmental heads may sit together and
thrash out problems of wastage of time, money, labour
and material.
The difference in approach and vision of different
functionaries .
 It occurs through the spoken word. In this ,the two
parties to communication, the sender and the receiver,
exchange their views through speech, either in face to
face communication between individual and individual,
or between an individual and a group or by means of
any device.
Fastest form of communication.
It is more effective communication system.
It allow the parties to get immediate feedback.
It is the only way out during an emergency.
It helps in improving the motivation of people and
generating a sense of participation.
There is no documentary proof of oral communication.
Conveying lengthy message is inconvenient.
Sometimes it is very time consuming.
There is possibility that spoken words are not clearly
heard or understood, or may be taken in other sense.
 Written communication is another way of communication , it is
undertaken when oral communication cannot reach each and every
person concerned. It includes written words, graphs, charts, manuals,
reports, diagram, pictures etc. It is the most common form of
communication used in an organization. It should posses four important
characteristics i.e. clear, complete, correct and to be intangible.
Written communication posses the quality of being
stored for future reference.
It gives more time to the receiver to think, to analyse.
It is the only mean of sending lengthy messages.
It is more orderly and explanatory.
Written communication is very time consuming.
Everything cannot be put into writing.
It cannot remain confidential .
It is not flexible and result in red- tapism.
 Formal communication is closely
associated with a formal
organizational structure. The
communication flows through
officially recognized positions along
the line in the organization. It is the
path of the line of authority linking
two positions in the organization.
All downward, upward, and lateral
communication flow through this
chain. It is straight forward official
and always precise.
It helps in maintaining the authority of line executives
over their subordinates.
Better understanding and effective communication.
Since an executive better informed about the
organization and its problems than the subordinates, a
better solution can possibly be found easily.
It increases the workload of the superior.
There are more points of filtering the message.
Chance of red- tapism and delay tactics.
Long chain may adversely affects the relations of
executives and subordinates.
 Informal communication includes instance of free, unstrained
communication between peoples. It is free from all formalities.
No formal chart is followed to convey message. Informal
conversation have not any boundaries of time, place or even
subjects. It is also known as ‘grapevine’ communication.
Communication is faster.
It is multi dimensional.
It is dynamic and react
quickly.
At times, it may supplement
the formal channel.
It very often carries half truth, rumors and distorted facts
at an fast rate.
Productivity of an organization may affected.
It is not trustworthy always.
How?