Organizational Communication

Definition
Organizational communication focuses on how individuals use communication to work out the tension between working within the constraints of pre-existing organizational structures and promoting change and creativity.

Types of Organizational Communication

 Formal Small-Group Networks  The Grapevine  Electronic Communications  Knowledge Management

Formal Small-Group Networks

Networks show information flows in an organization. Types of Communication networks Chain Network Members communicate with people next to them in sequence Wheel Network Information flow to and from one central member All-Channel Network Communication flows freely among all members of the work team

Communication Networks and How They Rate on Effectiveness Criteria

Chain Wheel All-Channel

Criteria Speed Accuracy Emergence of leader Member satisfaction Moderate High Moderate Moderate Fast High High Low Fast Moderate None High

Grapevine
An informal communication network that can spread throughout an organization. Types of grapevines are:  Gossip chain One person tells many  Cluster chain Many people tell a few

Electronic Communication

Electronic Communication
 Communication by means of transmitted

signals
 It includes e-mail, text messaging,

networking software and video conferencing

Email
 It uses the internet to transmit and receive

computer-generated text and documents.  They can be distributed to one or thousands with a click of mouse.

Instant messaging and Text messaging

 IM is usually sent via or desktop or laptop

computer, whereas TM is transmitted via cellphones.

 Email is a better device for conveying long

messages whereas IM is preferable for one or two line messages.

Video conferencing
 It permits employees in an organization to

have meetings with people at different locations.  Live audio and video images of members allow them to see , hear and talk with each other.

Knowledge Management
 The process of organizing and distributing an organization s collective wisdom (knowledge) so the right information gets to the right people at the right time.  Management can develop computer networks and databases that can make that information readily available to the people who need it the most.  KM won t work unless the culture supports sharing of information.