Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Formal Informal
the hierarchical lines of authority Covers an ever widening distance as organizations grow Keeps the higher level managers from getting bogged down with unnecessary information
informal channel of communication that is equally effective Not officially sanctioned and quite often discouraged or looked down upon Named as grapevine as it runs in all directions
4.
Downward Communication
management Flows downward through hierarchy of command Effective downward communication is crucial to success of organization
Downward Communication
Letters
Handbooks Pamphlets Policy statements Procedures Electronic news display
Meetings
Telephone
Downward Communication-Merits
Essential for functioning of any organization as it
involves transfer of information, instruction, advice, ideas to subordinate staff Increases staff awareness and facilitates implementation of new policies, guidelines, decisions, evaluation and appraisal of the performance of employees
Downward Communication-Limitations
Delay Message Abbreviation Message Distortion
Message Overload
Incomplete information
Upward Communication
Refers to the flow of information from lower levels
to higher levels within an organization in the form of information, requests, reports, proposals, feedback, suggestion box, exit interviews, grievance committees Main function is to supply information to the upper levels about what is happening at lower levels Essentially participative in nature and can flourish only in democratic organizational environment
Upward Communication-Merits
Promotes better working relationships within an
Upward Communication-Limitations
Lack of Positive Encouragement Concealing unfavorable facts Delay, Distortion and Filtering
are subordinates working under the same person or on the same level Main objective is developing teamwork and promoting group coordination within an organization More casual in tone and occurs more frequently Saves time and facilitates cooperation Carried out through informal discussions, management gossip, telephone calls, teleconferencing, memos, routine meetings
Diagonal/Crosswise/Spiral Communication
Communication flowing between people belonging
to different levels of hierarchy and having no direct reporting relationship Is the result of growing realization of fraternity and equality in corporate sector Used generally to quicken the information flow, improve understanding
Diagonal/Crosswise/Spiral Communication
Oral Eg informal meetings Lunch hour meetings
Bulletin boards
General notices etc
Formal conferences
unofficial and informal communicative interactions known as grapevine. Includes teatime gossip, casual gatherings, lunch time meetings.. Such channels more active in organizations which are not transparent
direction when the organization is passing through a difficult period. Feeling of inadequacy or lack of self confidence on the part of employees, leading to formation of groups Formation of coterie, clique or favored group, giving other employees a feeling of insecurity or isolation
Merits of Grapevine
Speedy transmission Feedback value Support to other channels
Demerits of Grapevine
Less credible Incomplete Information Distorted information
organization
source Should not be ignored Employees using this channel should not be threatened or encouraged too much
lay off of the observation ward staff. Was it correct to include Lily in the initial discussion meeting Ideally how should this situation have been handled?