Single chain

Single chain communication network exists between a superior and his subordinate.Each individual is both superior as well as a subordinate.Communication flow through the chain may be orderly and easy to control.Often we find such a communication in bureaucratic organizations.

Wheel

In Wheel network , all subordinates under one superior communicate through him only as he is the hub of the wheel.They are not allowed to communicate among themselves.There is no horizontal communication.Here, problem of coordination is the main drawback.CircularIn Circular, communication moves in a circle.Each person can communicate with his adjoining two persons.Here, communication flow is slow.

Free flow

In this network, each person can communicate freely with others.Here, communication is fast, but problem of coordination exists.This type of communication is followed by a Task Force.

Inverted ‘V’

In this network, each person can communicate freely with others.Here, communication is fast, but problem of coordination exists.This type of communication is followed by a Task Force.In this network, an individual is allowed to communicate with his immediate superior as well as his superior’s superior.

In the latter case, the subject matter of communication is prescribed.In this type of network communication travels faster.

Informal channel

Informal channel of communication , also known as ‘grapevine’.It is the result not of any official action, but of the operation of social forces at work place. Informal communication is a method by which people carry on social, non-programmed activities within the formal boundaries of the system.

Grapevine is more active when :There is high organizational excitement such as policy changes like automation, computerization, etc., or personnel changes;The information is new rather stale.People are physically located close enough to communicate with one another; and people cluster in cliques/ groups along the grapevine .,i.e., they have trust among themselves.

Grapevine network

There are four types of pattern through which grapevine travels. They are single strand. gossip. probability. cluster.Single strand

In single strand network ,the individual communicates with other individuals through intervening persons.

Gossip

In gossip network , the individual communicates non selectively.

A

B

E

F

G

C

D

Probability

In probability network, the individual communicates randomly with other individuals according to the law of probability.

a

ef

j

h

i

g

b

c

d

Communication – Barriers

Q Any thing which obstructs or blocks the free flow of communication in organization is called as communication barrier. Q When communication is obstructed what happens??The actual message will be interpreted in a different manner.

Cluster

the most popular informal network. In cluster network , the individual communicates

with only those individuals whom he trusts , thus forming a cluster.

a

ce

g h

di

jb

f

SEMANTIC BARRIERAny barrier which is due to the limitation of the symbol used , you can call it as a semantic barrier.

Symbols can be words, pictures, gestures, etc..

Following types of semantic barriers are more popular

Symbols with different meanings. Badly expressed message Faulty translations Unclarified assumptions Specialist’s language.

CommunicationBarrier

Organizational

EmotionalSemantic

Personal

Barriers in superiors Barriers in subordinates

In verbal communication a particular word may have a variety of meanings. For eg:- the English word round has 110 different meanings: as adjective-23, as noun-42,as verb-16, as preposition-13 and as adverb-16.

The Hindi word ‘kaka’ means uncle in one part of the country but small boy in another part of the country and in Malayalam the meaning is entirely different.

Badly expressed message

Lack of clarity and precision in a message makes it badly expressed.

Poorly chosen and empty words and phrases, careless omission, lack of coherence, bad organisation of ideas, awkward sentence structure,inadequate vocabulary,numbering repetition, jargon,failure to clarify implications are some common faults in this case.

Faulty translations

Transformation of message should be based on the level of the receiver. Other wise message may be interpreted in different manner.

Un clarified assumptions

There are certain uncommunicated assumptions which underlie practically all meanings. Though a message appears to be specific , its underlying assumptions may not be clear to the receiver.

Specialist’s language

It is often found that technical personnel and special group tend to develop a special, peculiar and technical language of their own.This increases their isolation from others and builds a communication barrier.

For Eg: JARGONS

Emotional / psychological barriers

Emotional / psychological factors are the prime barriers in interpersonal communication. The meaning described to a message depends upon the emotional or psychological status of both the parties involved.

Some emotional barriers are Premature evaluation. Inattention. Loss by transmission and poor retention . undue reliance on the written word. Distrust of communicator. Failure to communicate .

Premature evaluation

Rogers and Roethlisberger in 1952 first pointed out this barrier. tendency to evaluate the senders message with out paying

proper attention to it. Solution is active listening and empathy.

Inattention

Receivers mind is pre occupied and hence he will not listen to what is being communicated.It is a common phenomenon that people simply fail to react to bulletins, notices, minutes and reports.

Loss by transmission and poor retention

When communication passes from one level to another level, the accuracy of the message decreases. In the case of oral communications , about 30% of the information is lost in each transmission.

In case of written communication , loss of meaning might occur during each interpretation.

Employees – 50%, Supervisors – 60 %.

Distrust of communicator

The sender may make illogical decision or frequent countermanding of the original communication. Repeated experience of this kind gradually conditions the receiver to delay action of act unenthusiastically,hence making the communication unsuccessful, though apparently it is completed.

Failure to communicate

Managers often fail to transmit the needed messages. This might happen because of laziness on the part of the communicator or assuming that “everybody knows”, or procrastination.

Organisational barriers

The main organisational barriers are Organizational policy Organizational rules and regulations Status relationships Complexity in organizational structure Organisation facilities

Organizational policy

In all organizations there will be a general policy regarding communication mostly in writing. If the policy is not supportive to the flow of communication, then communication will not be smooth and adequate.

Organizational rules and regulations

Organizational rules and regulations affect the flow of communication by prescribing the subject matter to be communicated and also the channel through which these are to be communicated The rules may restrict the flow of certain messages and may leave many important ones.on the other hand, communication through a proper channel in a specified way prescribed by these rules delays it and works against the willingness of persons to message.

Status relationships

_ The placing of people in superior / subordinate capacity in the formal organisational structure also blocks the flow of communication and more particularly in upward direction._ Greater the difference between hierarchical position in terms of their status, greater would be the possibility of communication break down.

Complexity in organisation structure

_ In an organisation whether there are number of managerial levels, communication gets delayed, chances of communication getting distorted are more as the numbers of filtering points are more.

Organizational facilities

Proper organizational facilities should be provided for communicating. Other wise it results in communication break down.

Meetings, Conferences, Open door system, Social and cultural gatherings etc.

Personal barriers

Personal barriers can be of two types.

Barriers in superiors Barriers in subordinates

Barriers in superiors

Attitude of superiors.Fear of challenge to authority.Insistence on proper channel.Lack of confidence in subordinates.Ignoring communication.Lack of time.Lack of awareness.

Attitude of superiors

The attitude of superiors towards communication in general or in any particular directions.For eg:-if this attitude is unfavourable, there is greater possibility that messages would not flow adequately from and or to superiors.

Fear of challenge to authority

_ A person in the organisation always try to get a higher position and prestige to satisfy needs. As such managers, in general, try to

withhold the information coming down the line or going up, as frequent passing of information may close their weakness.

Insistence on proper channel

_ Superiors always like to be a main LINK in communication._ Superiors consider ‘By passing ‘ as thwarting of their authority. Thus they block such flow of communication.

Lack of confidence in subordinates

_ Superiors generally perceive, that their subordinates are less competent and capable, and that they are not able to advise superiors . This acts as a block in superiors.

Ignoring communication

_ Superiors consciously and deliberately ignore the communication from their subordinates to maintain their importance. This works against the willingness of subordinates to communicate.

Lack of time

_ Superiors feel,whether correct or otherwise, that they are overburdened with the work and they have little time to talk to their subordinates.

Lack of awareness

_ Employees at lower level have a number of communication needs. Perception of both managers and employees are different with respect to this aspect. This difference in perception makes communication more difficult.

Barriers in subordinates

Unwillingness to communicate. Lack of incentive.

Unwillingness to communicate

_ Subordinates may not freely communicate with superior because he feels that any critical information which travels up may adversely affect him also.

Lack of incentive

_ Sometimes lack of incentive also obstructs the flow of information.

It happens specially in case of upward communication.

Giving proper rewards for timely suggestions

How to make communication more effective?

SUnderstand the purpose of communication.S Formulate message on the basis of the above.S Always be empathic.S Use appropriate language.S Always support words with actions.S Credibility in communication.S Be a good listener.S Open and frank communication has to be promoted.S Removing all the blocks / barriersS Follow the principles of communication strictly.