Flows Of

Communication
Definition
 A connection allowing access between persons or places
 Communication is commonly defined as "the imparting or interchange of
thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing, or signs".
 Communication can be perceived better as a two-way process in which
there is an exchange and progression of thoughts, feelings or ideas
(energy) towards a mutually accepted goal or direction (information)
Types Of Communication
 Vertical
 Horizontal
 Grapevine

Vertical
Downward
 Communication which flows from the superiors to subordinates is known as
downward communication
 Information flowing from the top of the organizational management hierarchy and
telling people in the organization what is important (mission) and what is valued
(policies)
Elements of DC
 DIRECTIONS TO CARRY OUT A SPECIFIC TASK.
 JOB INSTRUCTIONS
 INFORMATION INTENDED TO CREATE UNDERSTANDING OF THE TASK
AND ITS RELATION TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONAL TASKS.
 JOB PRINCIPLE.
Examples
 A manager explains a task to an employee
 A customer gives an order to a supplier
 Shareholders instruct management
 Notice, circulars, instructions, orders, letters, memos, bulletins, handbooks, annual
reports, loudspeaker announcements and group meetings

Upward Communication
 Process of information flowing from the
lower levels of a hierarchy to the upper
levels
 Becoming more and more popular in
organizations as traditional forms of
communication are becoming less popular
Examples
 Status Meetings
 Appraisal Discussions
 Town Hall Meetings
 Seasonal Chats
 Whistle Blowers

Advantages
 Upward communication allows feedback to be recognized
 Ensures that there is a freedom of communication between the ranks coming from
lower ranks to the top.
Horizontal
 Flow of messages across functional areas at
a given level of an organization
Quality Of HC
 Structure and Culture
 Mechanistic Structure
 Organic Organizational Structure
Problems with HC
 Territoriality
 Specialization
 Rivalry
 Lack of Motivation
Grapevine
 Grapevine is an informal channel of business
communication. It is called so because it
stretches throughout the organization in all
directions irrespective of the authority
levels
Advantages
 Grapevine channels carry information
rapidly.
 The managers get to know the reactions of
their subordinates on their policies.
 The grapevine creates a sense of unity
among the employees who share and
discuss their views with each other.
 The grapevine serves as an emotional
supportive value.
 The grapevine is a supplement in those
cases where formal communication does
not work.

Disadvantages
 The grapevine carries partial information at
times as it is more based on rumours
 The grapevine is not trustworthy always as it
does not follows official path of
communication
 The productivity of employees may be
hampered as they spend more time talking
rather than working.
 The grapevine leads to making hostility against
the executives.
 The grapevine may hamper the goodwill of the
organization

Examples
 Suppose the profit amount of a company is
known. Rumour is spread that this much
profit is there and on that basis bonus is
declared.
 CEO may be in relation to the Production
Manager. They may have friendly relations
with each other.

References
 Wikipedia
 Businessdictionary
 Google
Thank You