CHANNELS

NETWORKS
FORMS AND DIMENSIONS OF
COMMUNICATION
INTRODUCTION
Communication may be classified or categorized on the following basis:
1. Organizational structure
Formal
Informal
2. Dimension/ Direction of communication
Upward
Downward
Lateral
Diagonal
Inward
Outward
3. Expression
Written
Oral
Non Verbal
4. Formation of networks
Wheel network
Y network
Chain network
All channel
Kite
Slash
CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION: COMMUNICATION ON
THE BASIS OF ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Channels of communication may be classified into two categories:
a) Formal
b) Informal
Formal Channel of Communication
It defined as a means of communication that is formally controlled by managers or
people occupying positions in an organization. Communication flows through
formal channels. Any information, decision, memo or reminder etc., will also follow
this path.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS


MANAGING DIRECTOR


TOP LEVEL MANAGEMENT


MIDDLE LEVEL MANAGEMENT


SENIOR SUPERVISORS


FIRST LINE SUPERVISORS


EMPLOYEES/SHOP FLOOR EMPLOYEES
Organizational Pyramid/Structure
Informal Channel of Communication
Side by side with the formal channel of communication every organization has
an equally effective channel of communication namely that is the informal
channel. It is not officially sanctioned.
Informal Communication :Beyond the Organizational Hierarchy
When anyone can tell anyone else anything informally the result is a rapid
flow of information along what is commonly called the grapevine
Unofficial information travels
Factors responsible for grapevine
Feeling of insecurity
Lack of confidence
Formation of favoured group
Some unusual happening in the organization
Personal problems of the employees
Types of Grapevine Chains
Single strand chain-A tells something to B who tells it to C

Group chain-One person seeks out and tells everyone the
information he has received

Probability chain-Tells at random

Cluster chain-Few selected


Cont.
Advantages of informal communication
Speedy transmission
Feedback value
Support to other channels
Psychological satisfaction
Uniting force
Creation of ideas
Good personal relations



Disadvantages
Cannot be taken seriously
Does not carry complete information
Distorts information
It may prove counter productive
Chances of misinterpretation
Lack of accountability




Assignment
Effective use of the grapevine in the organization



COMMUNICATION ON THE BASIS OF DIRECTION/
DIMENSION
Communication is multidimensional or multidirectional. There are various
directions in which it flows. Within the organization, communication may flow
inter scalar or intra scalar, upward or downward. Communication with the
outside world may be Inward or Outward.
Let's understand these dimensions are :
a) Downward
b) Upward
c) Horizontal or lateral
d) Diagonal or crosswise
e) Inward
f) Outward
Written
Instructions
Memoranda
Letters
Handbooks
policy statements
procedures electronic news
displays
others
Oral
Instructions
Speeches
Meetings
Telephone
Loudspeaker
others


Downward communication
Cont.
Upward Communication
Communication that flows from bottom to top, or which is from lower hierarchical
level to higher level, is called upward communication. The main function of
upward communication is to supply information to the upper levels about what is
happening at the lower levels.
THE CONCEPT OF OMBUDSPERSON(Swedish word
Commissioner appointed to investigate complaints )
Lateral or Horizontal Communication
When communication takes place between two or more persons who are
subordinates working under the same person, or those who are working at the
same level, it is called lateral or horizontal communication. Communication
transferred through lateral means includes interdepartmental reports, requests,
suggestions and informal communication among peers at the same level and
so on.
Lateral Communication



Diagonal Communication
Marketing Manager Production Mgr

Marketing Manager Training Manager


Marketing Supervisor Training Supervisor
Vertical Communication
Marketing Manager





Upward
communication
Downward
Communication
Marketing
Supervisor
Diagonal or Crosswise Communication
Diagonal or crosswise communication includes flow of information among
persons at different levels who have no direct reporting relationships.
Written
company news
paper/magazine
bulletin boards
in house journal or
communique
Oral
informal meetings
lunch hour meetings
formal conferences
project organization meetings
advisory authority interactions
with line managers of different deptts.
Diagonal or crosswise communication
Inward Communication
Inward Communication includes all the information received by the organization
from external agencies, which may be:
other organizations
government,
suppliers,
customers,
competitors
shareholders
media.
These may be in the form of
letters
emails
offers
orders
requests
suggestions
complaints
notices and so on.
Cont.
Outward Communication
The communication which the organization maintains with the outside world is
called outward communication.
Outward communication it may be in the form of:
advertisements
media interaction
public relations
negotiations
mails
telegrams
letters
tenders
notices
telephonic conversations and so on.
FORMS OF COMMUNICATION
Forms of communication, can be divided into verbal or non verbal
communication. Verbal communication may be oral or written. It depends upon
the manner in which the message in expressed. If, it is expressed through the
mouth, it is oral communication. This also includes face to face conversation,
dialogue, interviews, meetings, conferences, telephonic conversation and so on.
When the message is expressed through written language symbols, it is written
communication and it includes reports, letters, mails, telegrams, orders and
memos. When no words are used and only symbols, colours, signs, sounds or
expressions help to express a message, it is termed as non verbal
communication.
FORMS OF COMMUNICATION


VERBAL NON
VERBAL


ORAL WRITTEN

Oral Communication
Immediate feedback
Shorter Sentences
More informal
Conversational focus
Prompt action
Focus on relations
Less detailed technical
information
More personal pronouns
Simpler construction
Lesser focus on grammar
Local phrases and idioms
are used
Written Communication
Delayed feedback
Longer sentences
Longer words
More formal
Focus on content and
precision
Delayed action
Focus on actions
More detailed technical
information
Fewer personal pronouns
More complex
constructions
Useful document
Grammar accuracy

COMMUNICATION NETWORKS OR PATTERNS OF
COMMUNICATION
Given below are the most important patterns of communication or
communication nets:
a) Wheel/ Y
i) Three-person wheel communication pattern.
ii) Five-person wheel communication pattern.
iii) Five-person Y wheel communication pattern.

b) Circle
i) Four-person circle communication pattern.
ii) Five-person circle communication pattern.
c) All channel
i) Four-person all channel communication pattern.
ii) Five-person all channel communication pattern.
d) Kite
e) Chain
f) Slash
FACTORS INFLUENCING ORGANIZATIONAL
COMMUNICATION
The communication system of an organization is generally influenced by four
factors
1. Formal channels of communication
2. Authority structure
3. J ob specialization ownership
4. Information ownership
Importance
Effective communication is the most important
ingredient of an organization.

Organization effective communication system.

Achievement of organizational objectives .
- Proper coordination
- Integration of employees in an organization.
Social glue keeps the organization together.
Enhances own productivity and Organizations.
(Dhirubhai Ambani)










Benefits
Effective
communication
Enhanced
Professional
image
Stronger
decision
making
Increase
productivity
Quicker
problem
solving
Healthier
business
relationship
Improved
customer
relationship
Increased
awareness
among
Better
quality of
documents
Lesser
misunder
standing