Communication process

Communication
Prepared by
Revele S.
 Communication process in general

Definition
Communication process – the steps
between a source of information sender
and a receiver that result in the
transference and understanding of
meaning (S.Robbins)
 Communication process
Idea Message

Encoding Channel Decoding

Receiver
Source

Feedback
 Communication process
• What is the best ?

• Written Speech (E mail)

–Or
• Oral Speech (Direct)
 Choice of Communication Channel
(R.Lengel;D.Daft)

Low High
Richness Richness

Video
Prerecor Online Confere L
i
v

Formal ded Discussi nce e

S
p
e

Report Speech on group e

c
h

Letter Electr Voice Phone Face

s, onical Mail Conve to
Mem Meil rsatio Face
os n Conve
rsatio
ns
 Communication Channels
• Channel Richness

• What channel to choose?

– Message type (routine/non-routine)
– Complexity of the message (min./max)
– Size of the Target group
 Interpersonal Communication

• Oral Communication –info is transferred via

spoken symbols (speeches,one-to one ; group discussion, grapevine)
– + speed; feedback
– - number of people; distortion of info
• Written Communication –– info is transferred
via written simbols (letters, memos, electronically mail,
fax, periodicals, notices)
– + verifiable; content complex ; storage
– - time consuming
 Interpersonal Communication

• Nonverbal Communication – message which is tra

nsferred by behaviour, gestures,facial expression, proximity etc.

Take me I’m available !

Leave me, i’m depressed !

https://www.verywell.com/
types-of-nonverbal-communication
 Communication process
 Informational Channel characteristics in
organizations:
Global – Local
– Communication through the whole organization, in
different countries
– Communication in one part (branch,department) of
the company
Centralized – Decentralized
– Centralized – one source, communication through
one, central chain (communication through the
same – central source, only 1.channel, vertical
communication, and there is control what is said)
– Decentralized – many sources, with the same rights,
participated in communication process
 Communication process
Formal – informal
 Formal – between organization formal
staff
 Informal – between organization staff as
friends
Technical characteristics - according to
the channel capability (speed, volume)
 Communication network
 Downward – upward - lateral
 Downward – flows from one level of a group to a lower
level
 Upward – flows to a higher level in the group or
organization
 Lateral (horizontal) communication – takes place among
members of the same group, of the same level

 Layers of communication
 One layer – horizontal communication
 Many layer – vertical communication
 Communication network
Communication network is connected with
management, organizational structure, informal
relations in a company
Could be characterized as:
– Open type - no dead-end or mediators, or their role
could be eliminated
– Close type - dead end of the chain, mediator
– Combined type - combination of the previous two
 Communication network
5 types of communication network
 Chains
 Wheel
 Circle
 All- Channel
Y
 Communication network
 Chain (snake)
 Simplest, 1 level
 A,C - ‘dead-end’ of the A
information chain
 B – control the flow of
information B
 Centralized type of
information flow
 Little interaction between
members
C
 Communication network
Chains B C
B C

D
A
 Communication network
 Y type
 Simple, many levels
 A,B,D - ‘dead-end’ of the A B
information chain
 C – control the flow of
information C
 Centralized type of
information flow
 Little interaction between
members
D
 Communication network
Wheel (Star)
 The most centralized
A B
model
 C - Mediator and
controller of
C
information
 Problems solved
quickly
D F
 Communication network
 Circle
 The most decentralized
model
 Low efficiency (in time),
because group is
unorganised, not full
involvement
 Involves some type of
Participation in decision
making
 Psychologically – good
model
 Communication network
All-channel
 decentralized model
 M/H efficiency full
involvement
 Participation in
decision making
 Psychologically: good
model
 Speed: Slow
Some implications for management

Communication network influences:

 Accuracy of transmitting and receiving
information
 Task performance (quality, time)
 Satisfaction of members
 Emergance of (informal) leader
Source: Research by Moreland, Levin
Some implications for management
(source: Baron/Greenberg)

Simple tasks

Central
Information flows
Centralized Person could Good
To central
networks Perform task performance
person
alone
Wheel

Information No one has

Decentralised flows all the Poor
networks All around the Required performance
network information
All-Chanel
Some implications for management
(source: Baron/Greenberg)

Complex tasks

Central
Information flows
Centralized Person Poor
To central
networks Become performance
person
saturated

Wheel

Information
Decentralised flows No one
Good
networks All around the Becomes
performance
network saturated

All chanel