Communication Direction & What is Organizational Communication

What is Communication

Communication :
The process by which a person, group or organization (the sender) transmits some type of information (the message) to another person, group or organization (the receiver).

Perceptions of Organizational Communication


- Katz and Kahn :
the flow of information – the exchange of information and the transmission of meaning.
- Redding and Sanborn :
the sending and receiving of information within a complex organization.
- Greenbaum :
including the formal and informal communication flows within the organization.
- Zelko and Dance :
an interdependent system that includes both internal (upward, downward, horizontal) and external (public relations, sales, advertising) communications.
- Lesikar :
internal and external communication and personal communication (the informal exchange of information and feelings among organizational members)

Definition of Organizational Communications

- The process of creating and exchanging messages within a network of interdependent relationship to cope with environmental uncertainty.

- The study of why and how organizations send and receive information in a complex systemic environment.

Seven Key Concepts of Organizational Communication

1. Process

Organization is a dynamic open system that creates and exchanges messages (ongoing, ever changing, continuous) among its member and between its member and its environment.

2. Message

A message is one or more symbols that we perceive and which we attach the meaning. (Includes verbal & nonverbal)
- Organizational message behavior is classified into:
- language modality
- intended receivers
- method of diffusion
- purpose flow
- Three general reasons for message flow within an organization:
a. Task messages – relate to those products, services and activities.
b. Maintenance messages – policy and regulations that help sustain the existence of the organization.
c. Human messages – these are messages directed to people’s attitude, morale, satisfaction and fulfillment
- Four functions of message flow :
1. to inform
2. to regulate
3. to persuade
4. to integrate


3. Network

creation and exchange of messages among people which takes place over a set of pathways.

Factors that influenced network :
- Role behavior
- Direction of network
- Serial process

4. Interdependence

The nature of relationship is interdependent or interlocking because all pairs within the system (called subsystems) affect and are affected by each other.

5. Relationship

Three level of communication within the organization (Thayer):
- individual
- group
- organizational
Pace & Boren:
Face to face relationships:
- dyadic communication
- serial communication
- small group communication
- audience communication

6. Environment

The totality of physical and social factors that are taken into account in the decision-making behaviors of individuals in the system (Duncan).
Culture :
Pattern of beliefs and expectations shared by the organization’s members – which produce norms that shape the behavior of individuals and group in the organization. (Schwartz & Davis)

7. Uncertainty

The difference between information available and information needed

Communication in Organization


- Information is the heart of communication.
- Communication is used to develop friendships and to build interpersonal trust and acceptance in organizations.
- Communication in both oral and written forms is commonly used in organization.
- Status is communicated nonverbally by the use of space
- Communication is influenced by organizational structure, the formally prescribed pattern of interrelationships between people in organizations.