Barriers and Networks of communication

1. Networks and Barriers
to communication

2. Communication networks are the patterns that emerge from the
combination of vertical, horizontal and diagonal channels of
communication.
Communication networks can be formal as well as informal.
FORMAL NETWORK MODELS
In an organization, there are five common communication networks in
formal communication-
Chain
Y
Wheel
Circle, and
All- channel

3. CHAIN NETWORK
 It represents a vertical hierarchy in which communication can flow only
upward or downward. This network is used in direct line of authority
communications, with no deviations.


4. Y- network
 It is a multi-level hierarchy and a combination of horizontal and vertical flow
of communication. If we turn the Y upside down, we see two subordinates
reporting to one senior with two levels of authority above the latter.

5. wheel network
 Wheel network refers to several subordinates reporting to a superior. This is a
combination of horizontal and diagonal flow of communication.
 Subordinates of equal rank reporting to one superior but without any
interaction among themselves.

6. circle network
 The circle network allows employees to interact with adjacent members but no further than
that. For example, at this three level hierarchy, there is a vertical communication between
superiors and subordinates, and horizontal communication only at the lowest level.

7. all-channel network
 The all-channel network is the least structured and enables each employee to
communicate feely with all the others. There are no restrictions on who can
communicate with whom. All are equal, as no one employee formally or
informally assumes a leading role. Hence, everybody’s views are equally and
openly shared.

8. Finally, for effective use of communication networks, we need to
remember the following:
1. No single network is suitable for all occasions.
2. The wheel and All-channel networks are preferred if speed of
communication is a priority.
3. The chain, Y, and Wheel networks serve the best when accuracy
is crucial.

10. Informal network models
 Communication also travels along an informal network-the
grapevine.
 informal network- very active in almost every
organization.
 In fact some organizations consciously use it to great
effect, to develop their human resources, and in turn,
their productivity..
 Ex- Michael Eisner, the Chairman of Walt Disney, adopts
management by walking around. (MBWA)
: He goes around the company, talks to employees,
observes them talking among themselves, and use
this knowledge effectively to adopt or change certain
strategies.

11. There are four patterns for informal communication as well:
Among the following four, single strand is the way in which most people view the
grapevine.
1. Single strand- message is passed from one person to another along a single strand.
A B C
2. Gossip- One person passes the information to all the others
A
B
C E
G
G
D
F

12. 3. Probability- Each person tells others at random
A
D
B
F
G
K
C
E
4. Cluster- The most popular pattern – Some people tell something to some selected
few.
A
C
D
F
B
G E

13. To effectively use the channel of grapevine, organizations should:
Not ignore information received through the grapevine
Use the channel to supplement the formal channel
Identify but not threaten the main sources of information
Try to understand the human relationships involved in grapevine
communication.

14. Characteristics of the grapevine
Advantages
In general, the grapevine is
 Not expensive
 Rapid
 Multidirectional
 If carefully cultivated, capable of
resolving conflicts
 An outlet for anxieties, worries,
frustration
 A promoter of unity and solidarity
 Voluntary and unforced
Disadvantages
 If information from grapevine is
blindly accepted,, it may
 Reveal some degree of error
 Be harmful in case it is baseless or
imaginary
 Lead to misunderstandings because
of incomplete information
 Unreliable, as nobody takes the
responsibility for it
 Cause damage to the organization, if
not clarified in time

15. BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION

16.  Barrier means any kind of obstruction that obstructs the smooth flow of
communication.
 The communication will be incomplete and unsuccessful unless one
identifies and understands the barriers to communication.
 Barriers interfere with
the self-confidence,
self disclosure, and
self-consciousness
of the sender and the receiver
 If not removed on time, barriers can prove to be damaging to an
organization
 Therefore understanding the factors that prevent us from transmitting
the exact meaning is essential for effective communication

17. Based on the process of message formation and
delivery, barriers are of three types
1.Intrapersonal
2.Interpersonal
3.Organizational

18. Intrapersonal barriers
 Intrapersonal means inbuilt barriers. Since each of us is unique
and has different perceptions, experiences, education, culture,
etc., the thinking varies and leads to intrapersonal barriers.
The reasons can be:
 Wrong assumptions – sender or receiver does not have adequate
knowledge
 Varied perception – six blind men
 Differing background – Ex. Rock climbing
 Wrong inferences- fail to distinguish between what actual is and
what you have assumed
 Blocked categories- react positively if in consonance with our
views and attitude – arise because of rigidity in opinions, closed
mind ( misoneists who ignore variations & differences )
 Categorical thinking- know it all (pansophists)

19. Interpersonal barriers
Inappropriate transaction of words between two or more people.
Reasons of interpersonal barriers are:
 Limited vocabulary
 Incompatibility of verbal and non verbal messages
 Emotional outbursts
 Communication selectivity
 Cultural variations
 Poor listening skills
 Noise in the channel

20. Organizational barriers
 Too many transfer stations- message distorted/ filtered because of
too many people involved
 Fear of superiors
 Negative tendencies- groups/sub groups may have differences
 Use of inappropriate media- choosing an appropriate medium of
communication considering time, cost, type of message and intended
audience
 Information overload- handling huge amount of data decreases
efficiency. Results- fatigue, disinterest and boredom- leads to vital,
relevant information getting mixed up with irrelevant details