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Channels of Communication

Channels of communication for employees

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Vincent Joseph
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12 views2 pages

Channels of Communication

Channels of communication for employees

Uploaded by

Vincent Joseph
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION

Specific Objective
By the end of the sub-module unit, the trainee should be able to;
a) Explain the meaning of communication
b) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each of the channels of communication

Meaning of channel of communication


This is the description of the flow of information from one source to the other.
1 DOWNWARD COMMUNICATION
This is the flow of communication from a superior in authority to the subordinate(s) at lower levels
of the organizational hierarchy.
Downward communication normally takes the form of orders, individual instructions, policy
statements, etc.
Messages in downward communication channel can be presented in documents such as
memorandum reports letters notices circulars interviews policy directives formal meetings.
Downward communication can either be oral or written.
ADVANTAGES OF DOWNWARD COMMUNICATION CHANNEL
 It establishes and maintains order in an organizational structure hence maintains
respect in the organization.
 Orders and requests are executed on time as they come from a superior source.
 The superior communicates what he himself knows is correct or accurate.

DISADVANTAGES OF DOWNWARD COMMUNICATION


 Superiors normally under communicate or over communicate due to assumptions that
the subordinates do not know or by withholding vital, relevant background
information for their own benefit.
 Delay in conveying of information can result if it is passing through various
hierarchical offices. Information may get lost as it moves down the organizational
ladder.
 Information may get distorted as it goes through the long chain of officers in the
organization.
 It can result in a build-up of resistance from the subordinates because it portrays
authoritarianism/dictatorship.
 The subordinates are rarely involved in decision making hence loss of team work and
can spark resistance.
1 UPWARD COMMUNICATIONS
It is the flow of information from a lower rank of employees to the higher management offices.
This can be in form of reports, grievances or letters.
It can either be verbal or written.
METHODS THROUGH WHICH UPWARD COMMUNICATION TAKES PLACE

 Social gatherings that are informal.


 Reports
 Open door policy where the subordinates have the opportunity to walk into the
manager’s office to talk to him.
 Letters/direct correspondence from an employee to the higher authority.
 Complaints and suggestion boxes.
 Guidance and counseling sessions sort by subordinates from the superiors on their
personal or work related issues.

ADVANTAGES OF UPWARD COMMUNICATION


 It is a way of providing feedback to the higher authorities so as for them to know if directives
issued were understood and executed.
 Managers get opportunity to receive constructive ideas, suggestions and even objective
criticism to promote the organization.
 It cultivates greater harmony and cohesion between subordinates and the management hence
creating a conducive atmosphere for work.
 It is an outlet for pent-up emotions as subordinates get opportunity to vent their problems and
grievances to the management.
 Since subordinates feel part and parcel of the decision making process and recognized, it
helps the organization to introduce any new scheme without antagonizing them (employees).

DISADVANTAGES OF UPWARD COMMUNICATION


 Subordinates may withhold flow of information up the organizational ladder for various
reasons such as fear, sabotage, etc.
 It may create close familiarity between the subordinates and management hence cause
disrespect and disharmony in the organization by workers disrespecting and by-passing
immediate supervisors and directly reporting to the top management.
 Most employees are reluctant to initiate upward communication because of fear.
 Upward communication is prone to deliberate distortion of facts through editing as one
reports to the boss.
 Employees normally feel that by communicating their problems and inadequacies to their
superiors, it may reflect on their own incompetence.

3 HORIZONTAL/LATERAL COMMUNICATION

This is communication between departments or people of the same level/rank in an organization. It is


the most common channel of communication utilized in an organization and either is formal or
informal.
ADVANTAGES OF HORIZONTAL COMMUNICATION
 It promotes understanding and cohesion within an organization.
 It enhances coordination within departments.
 It enhances efficiency in an organization.
 Workers respect each other as they are of the same rank.
 Some decisions are made at lower levels of the organization without going to the top hence
work moves fast.

DISADVANTAGES OF HORIZONTAL COMMUNICATION


 Workers may become too friendly to each other and stall/delay operations of the
organization.
 Workers may not respect each other hence non takes orders/instructions from the other as
they are of the same rank.

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