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Channels of Communication: Formal

This document discusses formal and informal channels of communication within organizations. Formal channels are deliberately designed and controlled by managers, flowing downwards to provide directives, upwards for feedback, and horizontally and diagonally for coordination. While orderly, formal channels can inhibit free flow of information and be slow. Informal "grapevine" channels arise casually between employees and spread information quickly but risk misunderstandings. Rumors on the grapevine should be curbed through open communication from managers. Both formal and informal channels serve important roles in an organization's internal and external communication.

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Sunny Sahni
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28 views

Channels of Communication: Formal

This document discusses formal and informal channels of communication within organizations. Formal channels are deliberately designed and controlled by managers, flowing downwards to provide directives, upwards for feedback, and horizontally and diagonally for coordination. While orderly, formal channels can inhibit free flow of information and be slow. Informal "grapevine" channels arise casually between employees and spread information quickly but risk misunderstandings. Rumors on the grapevine should be curbed through open communication from managers. Both formal and informal channels serve important roles in an organization's internal and external communication.

Uploaded by

Sunny Sahni
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION

FORMAL

IN FORMAL

Organizational Communication

CHARACTERISTICS OF FORMAL CHANNEL


Deliberately designed . Shows authority . Responsibility . Shows relationship among different positions in the organization. Information flows through all the concerned people. Prescribed by managers and controlled by managers. Primary network of communication . Through proper channel is formal communication. Thought and designed to meet organizational

goals.

FORMAL COMMUNICATION CHANNEL


Downward Communication. WHY? Specific task directives. Job rationale. Procedures and Practices. Feedback. Indoctrination of goals. Memos, notices, newsletters, manuals.

FORMAL COMMUNICATION CHANNEL


Upward Communication WHY? Designed to provide feedback as to how well an organization is functioning. Bulletin Boards, Suggestion Boxes, Memos, Informal discussions, events.

FORMAL COMMUNICATION CHANNEL


Horizontal or Lateral Communication. Takes place between work groups. WHY? Task coordination. Problem solving Information sharing. Conflict resolution. Group meetings, Committees.

FORMAL COMMUNICATION CHANNEL


Diagonal Communication. Takes place between manager and members of other work groups. Depends on cooperation, goodwill and respect. WHY? Information sharing.

ADVANTAGES
Orderly and authentic manner . Covers all subsystems of the organization . Officially prescribed route . Filters information . Satisfy managerial position. Consolidates organization. Control system.

LIMITATIONS
Inhibits free flow of information. Slow and rigid. Expensive. Information distortion occurs .

INFORMAL COMMUNICATION CHANNEL


Secondary network . Known as grapevine. Arises due to casual communication between the employees. Spreads fast . Very effective. Initiated by people and controlled by people .

ADVANTAGES
Speedy transmission .

Valuable feedback .
Psychological satisfaction

. Support to formal communication .

LIMITATIONS
Misunderstanding. Wrong/ Distorted Information. Damage to the organization .

How to make use of Grapevine


Keep employees well informed. Open door Policy. Confide in leaders of informal groups. Involve employees in decision making. Good environment . Seek feedback. Discourage selective rumors. Be empathetic listeners.

RUMOUR

Undesirable Grapevine . Unauthentic information . It is injudicious and untrue part of grapevine . Generally incorrect. Due to poor formal communication . Used to pressurize management . Changes from one to another. Major outbreak is dangerous.

HOW TO CURB: Identify and remove the cause. Supply true facts . Give facts not opinion . Dont repeat . Publish written messages . Confide in union leader.

DIFFERANCE
FORMAL

INFORMAL

Scheduled in advance Arranged participants Participants in role Preset agenda One-way Formal language & speech register.

Unscheduled Random participants Participants out of role Unarranged agenda Interactive Informal language & speech register.

EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION
Shareholders communication. General public/customer communication . Government communication . Dealer/supplier communication . Complaints communication.

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