1. FORMS AND DIMENSIONS OF COMMUNICATION
CHANNELS
NETWORKS
FORMS AND DIMENSIONS OF COMMUNICATION

2. INTRODUCTION
Communication may be classified or categorized on the following basis:
1. Organizational structure
Formal
Informal
2. Dimension/ Direction of communication
Upward
Downward
Lateral
Diagonal
Inward
Outward

3. 3. Expression
Written
Oral
Non Verbal
4. Formation of networks
Wheel network
Y network
Chain network
All channel
Kite
Slash

4. CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION: COMMUNICATION ON THE BASIS OF ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Channels of communication may be classified into two categories:
Formal
Informal
Formal Channel of Communication
It defined as a means of communication that is formally controlled by managers or people occupying positions in an organization. Communication flows through formal channels. Any information, decision, memo or reminder etc., will also follow this path.

5. Organizational Pyramid/Structure
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MANAGING DIRECTOR
TOP LEVEL MANAGEMENT
MIDDLE LEVEL MANAGEMENT
SENIOR SUPERVISORS
FIRST LINE SUPERVISORS
EMPLOYEES/SHOP FLOOR EMPLOYEES
Informal Channel of Communication
Side by side with the formal channel of communication every organization has an equally effective channel of communication namely that is the informal channel. It is not officially sanctioned.

6. Informal Communication :Beyond the Organizational Hierarchy
When anyone can tell anyone else anything informally the result is a rapid flow of information along what is commonly called the grapevine
Unofficial information travels
Factors responsible for grapevine
Feeling of insecurity
Lack of confidence
Formation of favoured group
Some unusual happening in the organization
Personal problems of the employees

7. Types of Grapevine Chains
Single strand chain-A tells something to B who tells it to C
Group chain-One person seeks out and tells everyone the
information he has received
Probability chain-Tells at random
Cluster chain-Few selected
Cont….

8. Advantages of informal communication
Speedy transmission
Feedback value
Support to other channels
Psychological satisfaction
Uniting force
Creation of ideas
Good personal relations

9. Disadvantages
Cannot be taken seriously
Does not carry complete information
Distorts information
It may prove counter productive
Chances of misinterpretation
Lack of accountability

10. Assignment
Effective use of the grapevine in the organization

11. COMMUNICATION ON THE BASIS OF DIRECTION/ DIMENSION
Communication is multidimensional or multidirectional. There are various directions in which it flows. Within the organization, communication may flow inter scalar or intra scalar, upward or downward. Communication with the outside world may be Inward or Outward.
Let's understand these dimensions are :
Downward
Upward
Horizontal or lateral
Diagonal or crosswise
Inward
Outward

12. Downward communication
Written
Instructions
Memoranda
Letters
Handbooks
policy statements
procedures electronic news displays
others
Oral
Instructions
Speeches
Meetings
Telephone
Loudspeaker
others
Cont….

13. Upward Communication
Communication that flows from bottom to top, or which is from lower hierarchical level to higher level, is called upward communication. The main function of upward communication is to supply information to the upper levels about what is happening at the lower levels.

14. THE CONCEPT OF OMBUDSPERSON(Swedish word Commissioner appointed to investigate complaints )
Lateral or Horizontal Communication
When communication takes place between two or more persons who are subordinates working under the same person, or those who are working at the same level, it is called lateral or horizontal communication. Communication transferred through lateral means includes interdepartmental reports, requests, suggestions and informal communication among peers at the same level and so on.

15. Lateral Communication Diagonal Communication
Marketing Manager Production Mgr
Marketing Manager Training Manager
Marketing Supervisor Training Supervisor

16. Vertical Communication
Marketing Manager
Downward
Communication
Upward
communication
Marketing
Supervisor

17. Diagonal or Crosswise Communication
Diagonal or crosswise communication includes flow of information among persons at different levels who have no direct reporting relationships.
Diagonal or crosswise communication
Written
company news paper/magazine
bulletin boards
in house journal or communique
Oral
informal meetings
lunch hour meetings
formal conferences
project organization meetings
advisory authority interactions
with line managers of different deptts.

18. These may be in the form of letters emails offers orders requests
Inward Communication
Inward Communication includes all the information received by the organization from external agencies, which may be:
other organizations
government,
suppliers,
customers,
competitors
shareholders
media.
These may be in the form of
letters s
offers
orders
requests
suggestions
complaints
notices and so on.
Cont….

19. Outward Communication
The communication which the organization maintains with the outside world is called outward communication.
Outward communication it may be in the form of:
advertisements
media interaction
public relations
negotiations
mails
telegrams
letters
tenders
notices
telephonic conversations and so on.

20. FORMS OF COMMUNICATION
Forms of communication, can be divided into verbal or non verbal communication. Verbal communication may be oral or written. It depends upon the manner in which the message in expressed. If, it is expressed through the mouth, it is oral communication. This also includes face to face conversation, dialogue, interviews, meetings, conferences, telephonic conversation and so on. When the message is expressed through written language symbols, it is written communication and it includes reports, letters, mails, telegrams, orders and memos. When no words are used and only symbols, colours, signs, sounds or expressions help to express a message, it is termed as non verbal communication.
FORMS OF COMMUNICATION
VERBAL NON VERBAL
ORAL WRITTEN

21. Oral Communication
Immediate feedback
Shorter Sentences
More informal
Conversational focus
Prompt action
Focus on relations
Less detailed technical information
More personal pronouns
Simpler construction
Lesser focus on grammar
Local phrases and idioms are used
Written Communication
Delayed feedback
Longer sentences
Longer words
More formal
Focus on content and precision
Delayed action
Focus on actions
More detailed technical information
Fewer personal pronouns
More complex constructions
Useful document
Grammar accuracy

22. COMMUNICATION NETWORKS OR PATTERNS OF COMMUNICATION
Given below are the most important patterns of communication or ‘communication nets:’
a) Wheel/ Y
i) Three-person wheel communication pattern.
ii) Five-person wheel communication pattern.
iii) Five-person ‘Y’ wheel communication pattern.

23. Circle
Four-person circle communication pattern.
Five-person circle communication pattern.
c) All channel
Four-person all channel communication pattern.
Five-person all channel communication pattern.
d) Kite
e) Chain
f) Slash

24. FACTORS INFLUENCING ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION
The communication system of an organization is generally influenced by four factors
Formal channels of communication
Authority structure
Job specialization ownership
Information ownership

25. Importance
Effective communication is the most important ingredient of an organization.
Organization –effective communication system.
Achievement of organizational objectives .
- Proper coordination
- Integration of employees in an organization.
Social glue –keeps the organization together.
Enhances own productivity and Organizations. (Dhirubhai Ambani)

26. Benefits Effective communication Enhanced Professional image
Better quality of documents
Increase
productivity
Effective communication
Lesser misunderstanding
Stronger
decision making
Increased
awareness among
Quicker problem solving
Improved
customer relationship
Healthier
business relationship