5.formal informal comm channels
TRANSCRIPT
CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION
FORMAL AND INFORMAL COMMUNICATION
Formal communication The process of sharing official information with others
who need to know it, according to the prescribed patterns depicted in an organization chart.
Formal CommunicationPresident
VicePresident
VicePresident
Manager Manager Manager Manager
Efforts at coordination
Info
rmat
ion
Instructions and directives
Types of Formal Communication Downward communication:
Supervisory communication initiated by upper managementFlows downward through hierarchy of commandInstructions, directions, orders
Upward communication:Flow of information from lower levels to higher levels
within an organization in the form of data required to complete projects status reports suggestions for improvement, new ideas
Horizontal communicationCommunication between two or more
persons who are working at the same level.It seeks coordination and cooperation
Diagonal Communication flowing between people
belonging to different levels of hierarchy and having no direct reporting relationship.
It quickens the information flow and improves understanding
Formal Communication ModesTYPE OF FORMAL COMMUNICATION
MODE USED
Downward Memo, Letters, Handbooks, Pamphlets, Policy statements, Procedures
Upward Reports, complaints and suggestions, open door policy etc
Horizontal/Lateral
interdepartmental meetings and written communications
Diagonal/Crosswise
company newspaper or magazine, Bulletin boards, General notices, Formal conferences
Informal CommunicationInformation shared without any formally
imposed obligations or restrictionsDeviation from the planned communicationBased on personal relationsUsually follows through an informal Chat or
Grapevine
11/18/2003
Informal Networks: Grapevine
Y
D
C
B
A
Chain
AJB
D H I
K
FGE
C
Gossip
A
F B D
J
HCE
KG I
X
Probability
AC
D
F
J
IB
Cluster
Chainevery member passes on information, but to just one person
Gossipone person passes on information to all the others that he
encounters Probability Chain
no structureA is very talkative and outgoing type, passes on information
to random contacts Cluster
information is passed on to selected personsmost common patternselectivity: pass on information to people with whom you
are in close contact