What are the three communication flows?

Solution(By Examveda Team)

Three ways in which communication flows through formal organizational channels are called downward flow, upward flow, and horizontal flow. Communication within a business can involve different types of employees and different functional parts of an organization. These patterns of communication are called flows, and they are commonly classified according to the direction of interaction: downward, upward, horizontal, diagonal, external.

The structure of an organisation should provide for communication in three distinct directions: downward, upward, and horizontal. These three directions establish the framework within which communication in an organisation takes place.

Flow of Communication

Type of Communication Flows

Flow of Communication can be of two type:

1. Internal
2. External

Examining each one briefly will enable us to better appreciate the barriers to effective organisational communication and the means to overcome them.

Table of Contents

• 1 Type of Communication Flows
  • 1.1 Internal
    • 1.1.1 Downward Communication
    • 1.1.2 Upward Communication
    • 1.1.3 Horizontal Communication
    • 1.1.4 Diagonal Communication
    • 1.1.5 Grapevine Communication
  • 1.2 External
    • 1.2.1 Official
    • 1.2.2 Unofficial
• 2 Business Communication Notes

Internal

In understanding the forms of communication within organisations, one of the critical conceptions is directionality. Internal flow of communication in an organisation comprises the following:

Downward Communication

Communication which flows from a top level to a low level in an organisation is known as downward communication. This flow of communication is used by the managers to convey work-related information to the employees at lower levels.

Upward Communication

Flow of Communication which flows to a higher level in a company is known as upward communication. It gives feedback on how well the company is working. The subordinates use upward communication to express their performances and problems to their superiors.

The subordinates also use upward communication to tell how well they have understood the downward communication. It can also be used by the employees to share their ideas and opinions and also to take part in the process of decision-making

Horizontal Communication

In an organisation, the communication which occurs at same levels of hierarchy is known as lateral communication, that is, communication between managers, between peers at same levels or between any horizontally equivalent organisational members.

Diagonal Communication

The diagonal flow of communication concerns to communication between managers and employees situated at diverse functional divisions. In other words, it takes place when communication occurs among employees in a diverse unit of the organisation and where one of the employees involved is on a higher level in the organisation.

Grapevine Communication

Grapevine communication is a form of informal communications in business that develops within an organisation. Large organisations, where there are many people who are working closely, create certain unofficial or informal communication channels. These channels exist with or without authorised patronage.

External

The external flow of communication takes place between a manager and external groups such as suppliers, vendors, banks, financial institutes, etc. For instance, to raise capital the Managing director would interact with the Bank Manager.

This article throws light upon the top five types of communication flow. The types are: 1. Downward Communication 2. Upward Communication 3. Managing Communications 4. Crosswise Communication.

Communication Flow: Type # 1. Downward Communication:

Most decisions in an organization flow through the organization’s structure level by level. Communication flow from people at higher levels to those at lower levels in the organizational hierarchy is referred to as downward communication. Generally, the communication flow in organizations with an authoritarian leadership is predominantly downward.

Oral downward communication may take place by means of instructions, meetings, the telephone, loudspeakers and even the grapevine. Written downward communication involves the use of memorandums, letters, handbooks, pamphlets, policy statements, procedures, and electronic news displays. Obviously, the downward flow of information through organization levels is a time-consuming process.

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The delays may frustrate top-level managers to such an extent that they may insist on sending the information directly to the person or group concerned rather than allow information to slowly flow down the hierarchy.

Communication Flow: Type # 2. Upward Communication:

Upward communication originates from subordinates and continues up the organizational hierarchy to superiors. In other words, it is an upward flow of information from employees at the operational level to the top executive along the chain of command. This flow of communication is sometimes impeded by managers in the communication chain, who distort messages while communicating them to their bosses.

Upward communication can also take place through suggestion systems, appeal and grievance procedures, complaint systems, counseling sessions, joint setting of objectives, the grapevine, group meetings, the practice of an open-door policy, morale questionnaires and exit interviews.

Communication Flow: Type # 3. Managing Communications:

The responsibility for creating a free flow of upward communication rests to a great extent with superiors. In order to facilitate effective upward communication, the upper level of management must create an environment in which subordinates feel free to communicate.

Communication Flow: Type # 4. Crosswise Communication:

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Crosswise communication consists of two types of information flows, horizontal flow and diagonal flow. Horizontal flow refers to the flow of information among people at the same or similar organizational levels, whereas diagonal flow refers to the flow of information among persons at different levels, who have no direct reporting relationships.

Crosswise communication helps improve understanding between employees and enhances coordination for achieving organizational goals.

It can take place orally during informal meetings of the company’s fund-raising team or over lunch. It can also take place during formal conferences, board meetings, and meetings of task teams and/ or project organizations. The company newspaper, magazine and bulletin board notices are the usual mediums for the written form of crosswise communication.

As crosswise communication does not follow the chain of command, proper care should be taken to prevent potential problems from arising between personnel at various levels and between various departments of the organization.

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Despite the potential problems that may arise due to crosswise communication, this form of communication is necessary for the organization to respond to the needs of the complex and dynamic business environment.

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