COMMUNICATION NETWORK

Definition

Communication Network is the regular pattern, system or structure, designed or built up along hierarchical or person to person relationship through which information flows in an organization.

It has regularity in its pattern or structureCN can be Formal and Informal

Advantages of Formal Communication

Mainstream of authority and accountability

Intimate relations

Authenticity of matter communicated

Uniformity of information

Disadvantages

Increased workload

Communication corporation

Dilation of the message

Red Tapism

Downward Communication

To give directions

To explain organizational policies

To motivate employees

To educate subordinates for performing a particular job

Challenges

Distortion of message

Delays

Overloaded or under loaded

Bureaucratic Degeneration

Solutions or Prerequisites

Well InformedPositive communication climatePrevention of over concentrationProper ChannelisationAdequate and clear messages

Upward Communication

To hold periodical meetingsOpen door policySuggestion BoxesInterviewsInformal gatherings

Challenges

Concealments

Delays and Distortions

By passing

Poor Listening

Solutions

Reward for constructive suggestionEffective listeningFormal system for suggestionsCommitteesGrievance ProcedureSocial Gatherings

Lateral or Horizontal

Coordinating amongst various departmentsProblem solvingConflict resolutionExchanging InformationPromoting social relations

Challenges

Rivalry amongst employees

Specialization

Physical Barriers

Lack of motivation

Advantages of Informal Communication

Speedy and spontaneousMultidirectionalCatharsisSocial RelationsSupplementingCircumventing

Challenges

Misleading

Distortions

Disastrous at times

No responsibility

Types of Informal

Single stand

Probability

Gossip

Cluster