2. Outline
Meaning & definition of
communication
Types of communication
Process of communication
Barriers to effective
communication
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3. Meaning
īą The word communication has originated from a Latin word
commÅĢnicÄre, meaning âto shareâ.
īą In general, communication refers to the process of sharing
information, ideas & attitudes between individual.
īą It is the process of imparting or exchanging of information,
ideas, facts, opinions, beliefs, feelings & attitudes through
verbal or nonverbal means between two people or within a
group of people, usually with the intent to motivate or influence
behavior.
īą The means of making the transfer of information from the
sender to the receiver so that it is understood in the right
context.
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4. Definition
īą According to Websterâs Dictionary ,
īą âCommunication is a process by which information is exchanged
between individuals through a common system of symbols & signs of
behavior.â
īą According to Herbert Simon ,
ī§ âWithout communication there can be no organization, for there is no
possibility then of the group influencing the behavior of the individual.â
īą According to Fred Luthans,
ī§ âCommunication involves more than just linear information flows; it is a
dynamic, interpersonal process that involves behavioral exchanges.â
īą According to Moorhead and Griffin,
ī§ âCommunication is the process in which two or more parties exchange
information and share meaning.â
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5. Types of communication
īą Formal Communication
ī§ Formal communication flows along prescribed channels which all
members desirous of communicating with one another are obliged to
follow.
ī§ This type of communication follows a hierarchical chain of command
which is established by the organization itself.
ī§ Examples of formal communication are: Meetings, requests,
commands, orders, reports etc.
ī§ Classification into:
o Vertical Communication
ī§ Upward Communication
ī§ Downward Communication
o Horizontal Communication
o Diagonal Communication 5
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6. Downward Communication
īą It is used to:
ī§ Assign goals to subordinates
ī§ Provide job instructions and
rationale
ī§ Inform about policies,
procedures and practices
ī§ Provide performance
feedback
ī§ Point out problems related
to job
ī§ Indoctrination
âĸ Messages flow downward
through the chain of
commandâi.e., from
manager to employee.
Downward
Most familiar and obvious flow
of formal communication.
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7. Upward Communication
īąIt is used to:
ī§ Provide feedback to
superiors
ī§ Provide suggestions for
improvement
ī§ Relay current problem
ī§ Inform progress towards
goal
ī§ Provide performance
reports, financial and
accounting information
âĸ Messages flow upward
through the chain of
commandâi.e., from
employee to boss.
Upward
Widely used and an important
source of information for
business decisions.
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8. Horizontal Communication
īą Lateral exchange of
messages among peers or
coworkers
īą Horizontal communications
categories:
ī§ Intradepartmental problem
solving
ī§ Interdepartmental
coordination
ī§ Change initiatives and
improvement
īą Particularly important in
learning organizations
Horizontal
âĸ Messages flow laterally
between people of the same
rankâi.e., from production
to marketing departments.
Inform and request support as
well as coordinate activities.
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9. Diagonal Communication
īą The exchange of
information among
employees in different work
units who are neither
subordinate nor superior to
one another.
īą The concept of diagonal
communication was
introduced to capture the
new communication
challenges associated with
new organizational forms,
such as matrix and project-
based organizations.
âĸ Messages flow crosswise
between people of the
different rank.
Diagonal
Most flexible which allows
faster communication of
information in both directions.
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10. Informal Communication
īą Informal communication is the flow of information without
regard for the formal organizational structure, hierarchical or
reporting relationship.
īą This is commonly known as âThe Grapevineâ.
īą It does not follow line of authority.
īą It is very fast & usually takes place in social groups like friends,
family, peer groups, etc.
īą This type of communication is very natural as people interact
with each other about their professional life, personal life and
other matter.
īą Examples of informal communication are: sharing of feelings,
casual discussion, gossip, chitchat, etc.
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11. Verbal Communication
īą Verbal communication refers to the form of communication in
which message is transmitted verbally or orally.
īą Communication is done by word of mouth and a piece of
writing.
īą This type of communication is easy to use and quicker in
transmitting the message.
īą Examples of verbal communication are: face to face
conversation, group discussion, meetings, speeches, job related
exchanges, and telephone calls, etc.
īą Verbal Communication is divided into:
ī§ Oral Communication
ī§ Written Communication
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12. Non-verbal Communication
īą Nonverbal communication is the sending or receiving of
wordless messages.
īą Nonverbal communication is all about the body language, facial
expression, gestures, postures, intonation of speaker.
īą This type of communication is a more accurate way of
communication because it convey the true & intended meaning
of the message.
īą Examples of nonverbal communication are: shaking hands,
patting the back, hugging, pushing, or other kinds of touch.
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13. Process of communication
Sender Encoding
Message
Channel Decoding Receiver
M
E
A
N
I
N
G
M
E
S
S
A
G
E
Noise
Feedback
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14. Process of communication
īą Message: Messages is what is to be communicating before
communication can take place, a purpose, expressed, as a
message to be conveyed, must exist. It passes between a
source (the sender) and a receiver.
īą Sender: It is source of communication. The sender conveys
the message to the receiver. And are to be an individual, group
or organization.
īą Encoding: The message is converted to symbolic from is
called Encoding. The symbols can be word, sound, number,
picture and gesture etc.
īą Message Channel: It is the medium of message transmission
from sender to receiver. Channels are audio-visual, print
media, mechanical, face to face contact etc.
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15. Process of communication
īą Decoding: The receiver retranslates the sender's message. But
before the message on be received, the symbols in it must be
translated in to a form that can be understood by the receiver.
This step is the decoding of the message.
īą Receiver: The Receiver is the target point or location of
communication. It is the object to whom the message is
directed.
īą Noise: Any disturbances that interfere and disturb the message
distortion come from external factors and it reduces
effectiveness of communication.
īą Feedback: It is the check on how successful we have been in
transferring the message as originally intended. It determines
whether understanding has been achieved.
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16. Barriers to effective
communication
īą No matter how good the communication system in an organization
is, unfortunately barriers can and do often occur.
īą Communication of barriers are the difficulties involved in the
process of communication which distort the message being properly
understand by the receiver.
īą âBarriers prevent the communication from being effectiveâ and
result in undesirable reaction and unfavorable response.
īą The barriers to effective communication can be classified in to four
groups. They are as follows:
ī§ Physical Barriers
ī§ Psychological Barriers
ī§ Organizational Barriers
ī§ Semantic Barriers
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17. Physical Barriers
īą Physical infrastructure between sender and receiver are barriers
related to physical arrangement.
īą They can be:
ī§ Distance
ī§ Noise
ī§ Physical arrangements
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18. Psychological Barriers
īą The influence of psychological state of the communicators
(sender and receiver) which creates an obstacle for effective
communication.
īą They can be:
ī§ Selective Perception
ī§ Filtering
ī§ Distrust
ī§ Viewpoint
ī§ Defensiveness
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19. Organizational Barriers
īą The barriers that generate form within the organization are
known as organizational barriers
īą They can be:
ī§ Information overload
ī§ Poor planning
ī§ Complex structure
ī§ Status difference
ī§ Timing
ī§ Lack of feedback
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20. Semantic Barriers
īą A common barrier to effective communication is semantic
distortion, which can be deliberate or accidental.
īą Semantic problem arises when words and symbols have
different meanings for different people that lead to a
misunderstanding.
īą They can be:
ī§ Language
ī§ Jargon
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