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Organizational Communication Is The Process by Which Information Is Shared Within Organization

Organizational communication involves sharing information within a company using clear messages. Employees rely on communication that is understandable and trustworthy. There are five types of communication flows: downward from superiors to subordinates, upward from subordinates to superiors, horizontal between coworkers, diagonal between diverse groups, and external between the organization and outside stakeholders.

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57 views3 pages

Organizational Communication Is The Process by Which Information Is Shared Within Organization

Organizational communication involves sharing information within a company using clear messages. Employees rely on communication that is understandable and trustworthy. There are five types of communication flows: downward from superiors to subordinates, upward from subordinates to superiors, horizontal between coworkers, diagonal between diverse groups, and external between the organization and outside stakeholders.

Uploaded by

Charlene Bolandres
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Organizational communication is the process by which information is shared within organization

as business; it uses concise messages and clearly defined terms. Individuals use and rely on
communication if its processes and messages are perceived as understandable and trustworthy.
Individuals in an organization typically communicates with co-workers in their departments which
have attained the same status they have or they communicate with direct supervisors or their
subordinate. The following are the five organizational flows of communication:

 Downward Flow of Communication

It is a communication that flows from a higher level in an organization to a lower


level. Basically, it is a communication from superiors to subordinates in a chain of
command. This type of communication flow is usually utilized by the managers to
transmit work-related information to the lower level employees. Downward
Communication is a formal chain of command established to direct subordinates and
convey information pertaining to organization’s objectives, policies and strategies. The
nature of this type of communication is more Authoritative and Directive. Downward
Communication is used by the managers for the following purposes: Providing feedback
on employees’ performance or giving job instructions.
The sample letter below shows an example of Downward Flow Communication
because the Vice President of the Company, who is the superior, informed through formal
letter about the termination of the employment of his subordinate. Therefore, there is a
formal chain of command established towards to his subordinate by conveying
information pertaining to the employees’ termination.

 Upward Flow of Communication

It is a communication through which subordinates can convey information, to


their superiors. The subordinates use upward communication to convey their problems
and performances to their superiors. The nature of this communication flow is more
Participative since the subordinates can share their views and ideas and participate in
decision making processes. Upward Communication is utilized for: Complaint and
Suggestion Box, reports, direct letters and proposals etc.
The sample letter below shows an example of Upward Flow Communication
because the subordinate informed his superior through a formal letter about his
resignation to the company. Therefore, the communication flows from the subordinate to
the superior for the purpose of conveying his withdrawal to the company.
 Horizontal Flow of Communication

This type of communication is also known as “lateral” communication. It may be


defined as communication that takes place between co-workers in the same department,
or in different departments, with different areas of responsibility. For example, Sales
Managers and Advertising Managers in the Marketing department, or Marketing
Managers and Finance Managers. The reasons for this type of communication are for
coordination of tasks, sharing of information regarding goals of the organization,
resolving interpersonal or work related problems and building rapport.

The sample letter shown exhibits a horizontal flow of communication and it is


made evident by the interaction between Mildred Reynolds and Thomas Barth, who are
both managers or are in the same hierarchal level in an organization.

 Diagonal Flow of Communication

It allows functionally diverse groups to share information directly as required for


the project`s execution, rather than according to hierarchy that has little relevance to the
project. The business organizations are highly complex and so are the projects they
undertake so diagonal communication then promote interactive sending and decoding of
information between several classes. Diagonal communication facilitates quick decision
making when there is change in the organizations. Subordinates report directly to the
department where that scenario can be quickly solved. The top management will always
be updated with the current situation on all organizational angles.

The sample letter provided, shows how the Vice President of the Marketing
department, Angel LeClerc, reached out to the Director of Operations, Clarice Gailey, for
the purpose of recommending a subordinate to be part of the staff of the latter.

 External Flow of Communication

It flows between employees inside the organization and with a variety of


stakeholders outside the organization. External stakeholders include other administrators
external to the organization, parents, government officials, community residents, and so
forth. Many organizations create formal departments, such as a public relations office, to
coordinate their external communications.
From the sample letter given, it is clearly shown that Elizabeth Oaks, the CEO of
Oaks Telecommunication, sought the help of Joseph Elm, an external party, in making
the Board members understand the new telecommunications law and its impacts. The
communication or interaction between Elizabeth and Joseph exhibits an external flow of
communication.
References:

Bailey, E. P. (2007). Writing and Speaking At Work: A Practical Guide for Business
Communication (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Beebe, S. A., & Mottet, T. T. (2013). Business and Professional Communication: Principles and
Skills for Leadership (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.

Bell, A. H., & Smith, D. M. (1999). Management Communication (1st ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Bovee, C. L. (2010).Business Communication Today (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson


Education.

Eunson, B. (2016). Organisational Communication. Retrieved from


file:///C:/Users/melchor%20bolandres.melchorbolandre.000/Downloads/c16Organisation
alCommunication.pdf

Lehman, C. M., & DuFrene, D. D. (2010). Business Communication (10th ed.) Boston, MA:
Cengage Learning.

Lunenberg, F. (2010). Formal Communication Channels: Upward, Downward, Horizontal, and


External. Retrieved from http://www.nationalforum.com/Electronic%20 Journal
%20Volumes/Lunenburg,%20Fred%20C,%20Formal%20Comm%20Channels%2 0FOCUS
%20V4%20N1%202010.pdf

Surbhi, S. (2017, July 13). Difference between Upward and Downward Communication.

Retrieved from: https://keydifferences.com/

Juneja, P. (2019). Communication Flow in an Organization.

Retrieved from: https://www.managementstudyguide.com/

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