Amandeep Kaur

 To Learn about different flows of

communication
 To answer Merits and Limitations of each
On the basis of flow of information,
communication may be classified as follows :

 Downward Communication
 Upward Communication
 Horizontal Communication
 Diagonal Communication
 Communication that flows from one level of a group or
organization to a bottom level is downward
communication.
 It’s used by group leaders and managers to assign goal,
provide job instructions, inform employees of policies and
procedures, point out problems that need attention, and
offer feedback about performance. But downward
communication doesn’t have to be oral or face-to-face
contact.
 When management sends letters to employees’ homes to
advise them of the organization’s new sick leave policy it’s
using downward communication. So is an e-mail from a
team leader to the member of her team, reminding them
of an upcoming deadline.
  Mission and Goals
 Duty and Authority
 Job Satisfaction

Limitations of Downward Communication

Incomplete Information
Time Consuming
 Upward communication flows to a top level in
the group or organization. It’s used to provide
feedback to higher-ups, inform them of
progress towards goals, and relay current
problems..

 Some organizational examples of upward

communication are performance reports
prepared by bottom level management or
review by middle and top management
suggestion boxes, employee attitude surveys,
grievance procedures, superior subordinate
discussions and informal ‘group’ sessions in
which employees have the opportunity to
identify and discuss problems with their boss or
representation of higher management.
  Feedback
 Overcomes Resistance to change
 Creative Ideas

Limitations of Upward Communication

 Fears and Apprehensions

 Low Morale
 When communication takes place among members of
the same work group, among members of work groups
at the same level, among managers at the same level, or
among any horizontally equivalent personnel, we
describe it as lateral communications.
Why would there be a need for horizontal
communications if a group or organization’s vertical
communications are effective? The answer is that
horizontal communications are often necessary to save
time and facilitate coordination. In some cases, these
lateral relationships are formally sanctioned. More
often, they are informally created to short circuit the
vertical hierarchy ad expedite action.
  Facilitates Problem Solving
 Provide Relief to top level managers
 Speeds up the flow of work

Limitations of Horizontal Communication

 Cross functional conflicts
 Difference in perception and attitudes
Diagonal Communication cuts
across different functions and
levels in an organisation.

Diagonal Communication helps in

increasing the efficiency of
organisational activities as every
information cannot be passed
through vertical lines of
communication.
Horizontal communication is also known
as___________communication

 Lateral
 Plain
 Flat
 tropical
When superiors provide directions to their
subordinates regarding what to do, this is
known as a type of ___________
communication.
 upward
 horizontal
 downward
 lateral