Classification and Methods of

Communication:
Types of communication?
Types of Communication

Communication based on Communication Based Other types of

Parties on Formality Communication
Types of communication?
Communication based on
Parties

Internal Communication External Communication

Vertical Downward

Upward

Horizontal
Diagonal
Types of communication?
Communication Based on
Formality

Formal Communication Informal Communication

Types of communication?
Other types of
Communication

Personal Communication Mass Communication

Merits of Vertical Communication

 Informing organizational goals and plans

 Communicating directives of superiors
 Conveying the message of subordinates
 Motivating the subordinates
 Maintain the chain of command
 Creating better relationship
 Coordinating the efforts
Demerits of Vertical Communication

 Ineffective communication
 Delayed process
 Reluctance of subordinates
 Negligence of superiors
 Distortion of information
Meaning of downward communication

 Downward communication is that comunication

in which information flows from superior to
subordinates.

 Newstrom and Davis defined: Downward

communication in an organization is the flow of
information from higher to lower levels of
authority.
Objectives of downward communication

 1. To inform the subordinates

 2. To give task directives
 3. To explain organizational policies and
procedure
 4. To provide performance feedback
 5. To delegate authority
 6. To motivate and inspire employees
 7. To explain the change environment
Meaning of upward communication

 When information flows from subordinates to

superiors, it is called upward communication.

 Ricky W. Griffin:
Upward communication consists
of messages from subordinates to superiors.
Media/Forms of upward communication

 1. Written Media
 2. Oral Media
 3. Other Media
1. Written Media

 Report
 Memo
 Suggestion and Complaint boxes
 Direct Letters
 Questonnaire
2. Orgal Media

 Grievance Procedure
 Joint Setting of objectives
 Employer-Employee meeting
3. Other media

 Open door policy

Distinction Upward and Downward
communication
 Definition
 Direction of information
 Nature (Directive & Non-directive)
 Field of application (Autocratic &
Democratic)
 Purpose
 Frequency of use
 Possibility of distortion
Horizontal Communication

 Exchange of information between people at

the same level of an organization.

 Quible and other said “Horizontal communication is

the communication between individuals of equal
hierarchical ranks”.
Advantages of Horizontal Communication

 Coordination
 Reducing misunderstanding
 Strengthening group efforts
 Performing inter-departmental
communication
 Gaining benefits of informal communication
 Distortion free communication
Disadvantages of Horizontal
Communication

 Intradepartmental Conflict
 Over specialization
 Discouraging attitude of top management
 Ignoring vertical communication
Difference Between Horizontal &
Vertical communication
 Definition
 Purpose
 Information flow
 Degree of formality
 Method of communication
 Possibility of distortion
 Length of communication line
Formal Communication

 The communication that occurs in

accordance with the established rules,
regulations, procedures, and systems is
known as formal communication.

 L.C Bovee and his associates said “Formal

communication is the flow of information
that is dictated by the organization's official
structure”.
Advantages of Formal Communication

 Increasing attention
 Use of reference
 Reliability
 Free from distortion
 Maintaining discipline
 Ease of coordination
 Easy to understand
 Increasing company’s goodwill
Disadvantages of Formal
Communication
 Wastage of time
 Lack of flexibility
 Authoritarian attitude
 Lack of personal creativity
 Lack of personal relation
 Costly
 Delay in decision making
informal Communication

 The exchange of information that does not

follow any officially recognized rules and
directions is known as informal
communication.

 Bartol and Martin said “Informal

communication is the communication that
takes place without regard to hierarchical or
task requirement.
 “Informal
Communication Spreads rumor,
untrue, and distorted information very
quickly”
Reasons

 Inattention
 Admixture own opinion
 Complexity of message
 Absence of predetermined rules and
regulations
 Conflict
 Using weak and inappropriate media
 Tendency to resist changes
Grapevine

 “Grapevine is an informal channel of person

to person communication that is not
officially sanctioned by the organization”.
Characteristics of Grapevine

 Un-official channel of communication

 Flexibility
 Speedy transmission
 Incomplete message
 Free from accountability
 Distortion of message
Internal communication

 Exchange of information among the people

at different levels within the organization.
Media of Internal communication

 Directives
 Notice board
 Company periodicals
 Handbook
 Memos
 Information rack
 Poster
 Meetings
 Letters
 Telephone
 Interview
External communication

 Exchange of information among the people

Outside the organization.
Media of external communication

 Face to face conversation

 Telephone
 Poster
 Website and internet
 Advertisement and publicity
 Mass media
Thank You …