Informal And Formal Channels Of Communication example essay topic

Everyone in an organization must recognize the importance of communication and the role it plays among the workers. As we have discussed in the last paper, communication process is the sending and receiving of messages and the source sending (encodes) the intended meaning message through a channel which the receiver (decodes) the message perceived meaning and then possibly the receiver communicating through feedback to the sender returning another message. By having the feedback process we can help the communication process improve. It is very important to have an effective and efficient communication. Effective meaning that the intended message equals the perceived message and efficient by keeping the cost down for the user. There are some communication barriers, that can cause noise which is disturbances of communication and must be understood.

By learning about the different types of communication barriers an organization can make their communication process operate better. There are all kinds of information that is exchanged in every company. This process is the organization communication. There are channels of communication that flows in every organization. Sometimes type and size of an organization can have an affect on what type of communication channel is mostly used.

The channels that will be discussed in this paper are the Informal and Formal channels of communication. Formal channels follow the chain of command established by an organization's hierarchy of authority. Formal channels are recognized as authoritative. It is typical of communication of policies, procedures, and other official announcements to adhere to them. On the other hand much "networking" takes place through the use of informal channels that do not adhere to the organizations hierarchy of authority they coexist with the formal channels but frequently diverse from them by skipping levels in hierarchy or cutting across vertical chain of command.

(Schermerhorn, Hunt, Osborn, 1998). As important as formal and informal communication is in other organizations, my company is not effected by them. The one experience that I had in regards to formal channel, which is designed by my husband and I, was having procedures that needs to be followed by each work group. These procedures are placed in every truck that is owned by this company. This formal channel has made all of our employees to follow certain usage of tools to install gutters on different types of roofs. Where as if these procedures were not followed, each group would decide on their own on what type of installing they were mostly comfortable with.

(Easier). Formal channel has worked to our advantage so we can focus on our quality and also saving a lot of money by not having redoes. Informal channel is used every day by our organization. You might ask how? We have three sets of crews, who are at different job sites every day. My husband being the manager on each job site travels from one location to the next, to keep an eye on the work being done and also making sure that he is in touch with all the crew members.

Also by having the three groups getting together for lunch some days or have them contact one another in regards to the jobs or personal information. This type of informal channel is the grapevine of our organization. It has given us as owners of the company helpful information and has helped the employees get closer and have a better relationship at work or off work. The information flows very smoothly through our organization. Almost every day the down ward communication is used by reminding the workers of some policies or the key elements of the jobs.

By using the downward communication it keeps the questions and complaints to a lower degree. I believe there is always more upward communication in our company. There can be questions, problems, happiness, changes, and etc. The most use of lateral communication is used among the crews, also the individuals and customers. To better understand our company, it's proper functioning comes from having a decentralized communication networks.

Decentralized communication networks link all group members directly with one another.

Bibliography

Schermerhorn, Hunt, Osborn, (1998). [UOP Special Edition Series]. Organizational Behavior, Seventh Edition.