CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION

A channel of communication is the message or the path over which the message flows from the sender to the receiver.

Channel or the line of communication should be small preferably otherwise the message gets distorted.

There are two broad channel of communication:

1. Formal Communication

2. Informal Communication

1. Formal Communication

Flow of communication according to the prescribed route or channel in the organization is called “Formal Communication”

1. Deliberately designed

2. Shows authority

3. Responsibility

4. Shows relationship among different positions in the organization

5. Information flows through all the concerned people.

6. Prescribed by managers

7. Controlled by managers

8. Primary network of communication

9. “Through proper channel” is formal communication

10. Thought and designed to meet organizational goals.

Characteristics of formal communication

Advantages of formal communication

1. Orderly and authentic manner

2. Covers all subsystems of the organization

3. Officially prescribed route

4. Filters information

5. Satisfy managerial position

6. Consolidates organization

7. Control system

Limitations of formal communication

1. Inhibits free flow of information

2. Slow and rigid

3. Expensive

4. Information distortion occurs

2.Informal Communication1. Secondary network2. Known as grapevine3. Arises due to casual communication between the employees.4. Spreads fast5. Very effective6. Initiated by people7. Controlled by people

Informal communication becomes routine when:

1. Difficult times

2. Employees lack self confidence

3. Feeling of isolation and insecurity

Advantages of Informal Communication

1. Speedy transmission

2. Valuable feedback

3. Psychological satisfaction

4. Support to formal communication

Disadvantages of Informal Communication

1. Misunderstanding

2. Incredible

3. Damage to the organization

How to make use of Grapevine

1. Keep employees well informed

2. Open door Policy

3. Confide in leaders of informal groups

4. Increase self worth of employees

5. Involve employees in decision making

6. Good environment

7. Seek feedback

8. Discourage selective rumors

9. Be empathetic listeners

3. Rumor1. Undesirable Grapevine

2. Unauthentic information

3. It is injudicious and untrue part of grapevine

4. Generally incorrect

5. Due to poor formal communication

6. Used to pressurize management

7. Changes from one to another

8. Head tail and wings of the message change

9. Major outbreak is dangerous

How to curb rumors:

1. Identify and remove the cause

2. Supply true facts

3. Give facts not opinion

4. Don’t repeat

5. Publish written messages

6. Confide in union leaders

END