Chapter

2
Channels,
Networks, Forms
and Dimensions of
Communication

Business Communication

M K Sehgal, Vandana Khetarpal

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
Cont.

Outward
Business Communication

M K Sehgal, Vandana Khetarpal

3. Expression
Written
Oral
Non Verbal
4. Formation of networks
Wheel network
Y network
Chain network
All channel
Kite
Slash

Business Communication

M K Sehgal, Vandana Khetarpal

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.
Cont.

Business Communication

M K Sehgal, Vandana Khetarpal

Organizational Pyramid/Structure
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MANAGING DIRECTOR
TOP LEVEL MANAGEMENT
MIDDLE LEVEL MANAGEMENT
SENIOR SUPERVISORS
FIRST LINE SUPERVISORS
EMPLOYEES/SHOP FLOOR EMPLOYEES

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.
Business Communication

M K Sehgal, Vandana Khetarpal

COMMUNICATION
ON
DIRECTION/ DIMENSION

THE

BASIS

OF

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
Business Communication

Cont.

M K Sehgal, Vandana Khetarpal

Downward communication

Oral

Written

Instructions

Instructions

Memoranda

Speeches

Letters

Meetings

Handbooks

Telephone

policy statements

Loudspeaker

others

procedures electronic news

displays

others

Business Communication

Cont.

M K Sehgal, Vandana Khetarpal

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.

Business Communication

M K Sehgal, Vandana Khetarpal

THE CONCEPT OF OMBUDSPERSON

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.

Cont.

Business Communication

M K Sehgal, Vandana Khetarpal

Diagonal or Crosswise Communication

Diagonal or crosswise communication includes flow of information
among persons at different levels who have no direct reporting
relationships.
Diagonal or crosswise communication
Written

Oral

informal meetings
lunch hour meetings
formal conferences
project organization meetings

company news
paper/magazine

bulletin boards

in house journal or
communique

advisory authority interactions

with line managers of different

deptts.
Business Communication

Cont.

M K Sehgal, Vandana Khetarpal

Inward Communication
Inward Communication includes all the information received by the
organization from external agencies, which may be:

other organizations These may be in the form of

government,

letters

suppliers,

emails

customers,

offers

competitors

orders

shareholders

requests

media.

suggestions

complaints

notices and so on.

Cont.

Business Communication

M K Sehgal, Vandana Khetarpal

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.

Business Communication

M K Sehgal, Vandana Khetarpal

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,
FORMS OF COMMUNICATION
colours, signs, sounds or expressions
help to express a message, it is
termed as non verbal communication.
VERBAL
ORAL

Business Communication

NON VERBAL
WRITTEN

M K Sehgal, Vandana Khetarpal

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.

Cont.

Business Communication

M K Sehgal, Vandana Khetarpal

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

Business Communication

M K Sehgal, Vandana Khetarpal

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. Job specialization ownership
4. Information ownership

Business Communication

M K Sehgal, Vandana Khetarpal