Core Principles of Organizational Communication

Functions of Communication

Communication acts to control the behavior of members in several ways. It fosters motivation by clarifying to employees what to do, provides an outlet for emotional expression, and helps satisfy social needs. Furthermore, it facilitates decision-making.

The Communication Process

The process follows this sequence: Source → Encoding → Channel → Decoding → Receiver.

• Source: The sender of the message.
• Message: The actual physical product of the source's encoding.
• Channel: The medium through which the message travels.
• Receiver: The person to whom the message is directed.

Sources of Distortion

Distortions can occur at any stage of the process. The message itself, the communication channel, and the receiver are all potential sources of interference.

Fundamentals of Communication

Direction of Communication

• Downward: Communication flowing from one level of an organization to a lower level.
• Upward: Communication flowing upward to a higher level in the organization.
• Lateral: Communication taking place between members of the same workgroup or between members of working groups at the same level.

Communication Networks

Communication networks define the channels through which information flows:

• Formal Networks: Small groups such as the chain, wheel, and all-channel structures.
• Informal Networks: Channels where information flows through unofficial means, often where rumors flourish.

Barriers to Effective Communication

• Filtering: The manipulation of information by the sender so that it will be viewed more favorably by the recipient.
• Selective Perception: Recipients selectively see and hear based on their needs, motivations, experience, background, and other personal characteristics.
• Emotions: The mood of the receiver at the time of receipt influences how the message is interpreted.
• Stereotypes: Generalizations used to classify people according to the characteristics of their group.
• Halo Effect: The favorable or unfavorable impression of a person that influences how we judge their other characteristics or attitudes.
• Perceptual Defense: A mechanism used to defend ourselves from information we find objectionable or dislike.