In recent years, communication has attracted increasing attention. Some innovative and successful practices have been evolved. For example, in BHEL (Bhopal Unit),Management-Employee Communication Meetings (MECOMs) have been effectively used. A MECOM is an open forum, in which more than 700 persons participate. It has contributed positively to mutual sharing of information and concerns and better understanding between management and employees. MECOM has helped in effective implementation of decisions. However, establishing this system has not been easy; a lot of work was done prior to and during the evolution of MECOM.
In TISCO, the Chairman keeps communication with his employees by answering every letter that is addressed to him (some 80,000 a year!) and holds an open house at his residence between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. every dayn where any one can walk in and discuss personal or work-related problems.He also holds “dialogues” with large groups, sometimes of 2500 persons. The most systematic attention to communication has probably been paid in VST Industries, including regular business-related communication with the Union, with great benefits.
Organisational communication may be defined as the process of the flow (transmission and reception) of goal-oriented messages between sources, in a pattern and through a medium or media.An additional element in organisational communication (not present in interpersonal communication) is the flow pattern of messages. Thus, there are seven elements in organisational communication – the transmitting source; the receiving source (the target); the transmitted message; the received message; the goal of the message; the medium or media; and the flow pattern (which is called network) (Fig). The transmitting and receiving sources are the people sending and receiving the message,respectively.
In TISCO, the Chairman keeps communication with his employees by answering every letter that is addressed to him (some 80,000 a year!) and holds an open house at his residence between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. every dayn where any one can walk in and discuss personal or work-related problems.He also holds “dialogues” with large groups, sometimes of 2500 persons. The most systematic attention to communication has probably been paid in VST Industries, including regular business-related communication with the Union, with great benefits.
Organisational communication may be defined as the process of the flow (transmission and reception) of goal-oriented messages between sources, in a pattern and through a medium or media.An additional element in organisational communication (not present in interpersonal communication) is the flow pattern of messages. Thus, there are seven elements in organisational communication – the transmitting source; the receiving source (the target); the transmitted message; the received message; the goal of the message; the medium or media; and the flow pattern (which is called network) (Fig). The transmitting and receiving sources are the people sending and receiving the message,respectively.
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| Elements in Organisational Communication |
Goals of Organisation Communication
Organisational Communication has several goals. These are described in Box
Box: Goals of Organisation Communication
Information Sharing: Various types of information are required to be shared in an organisation. These include policies, rules, changes and developments in the organisation, such as settlement with the union, major changes, awards and rewards, etc.
Feedback: Feedback has to be given to the employees on their achievements, to the departments on their performance; and to the management on the fulfillment of goals and difficulties encountered. It helps in taking corrective measures and making necessary adjustments. It can motivate people for developing challenging and realistic plans.
Control: The management information system (MIS) is well known as a control mechanism used to ensure that various activities are being carried out as per plans. Communication helps in ensuring such control as a monitoring mechanism and directing different aspects for optimum results as critical information reaches the appropriate level of people in the organisation.
Influence: One purpose of communication is to influence people. This is very clear in the case of communication from a trainer in a training group.The higher the management level, the more is the influencing role of the manager. The manager communicates to create a good climate, right attitudes and congenial working relationships.
Problem solving: Communication between the management and the union on some issues (negotiation) is aimed at finding a solution to problems.Many group meetings are held to brainstorm alternative solutions for a problem and to evolve acceptable solutions. Such communication can be in small or in large groups.
Decision-making: Communication helps a great deal in decision-making. A more important role is played by the communication of alternative solutions and the exchange of views on various matters.
Change: The effectiveness of a change introduced in an organisation depends to a large extent, on the clarity and spontaneity of the communication.Communication between the consultants and the managers, between the managers and the employees, and amongst the employees helps in knowing the difficulties in the planned change, and in taking corrective action.
Group Building: Communication helps in building relationships. Even under conditions of severe conflict, good relations can be restored only if the communication process is continued. If communication breaks down, the group may disintegrate. Communication provides necessary lubrication for proper functioning of a group. The communication of feelings, concerns, and support is particularly important in this context.
Gate Keeping: Communication helps to build linkages of the organisation with the outside world. The organisation can use its environment to increase its effectivenss.
Written communication is more effective in the transmission (and reception and comprehension) of cognitive messages. On the other hand, oral and specially face-to-face communication is more effective in bringing about changes of opinions and attitudes.
Organisational Communication has several goals. These are described in Box
Box: Goals of Organisation Communication
Information Sharing: Various types of information are required to be shared in an organisation. These include policies, rules, changes and developments in the organisation, such as settlement with the union, major changes, awards and rewards, etc.
Feedback: Feedback has to be given to the employees on their achievements, to the departments on their performance; and to the management on the fulfillment of goals and difficulties encountered. It helps in taking corrective measures and making necessary adjustments. It can motivate people for developing challenging and realistic plans.
Control: The management information system (MIS) is well known as a control mechanism used to ensure that various activities are being carried out as per plans. Communication helps in ensuring such control as a monitoring mechanism and directing different aspects for optimum results as critical information reaches the appropriate level of people in the organisation.
Influence: One purpose of communication is to influence people. This is very clear in the case of communication from a trainer in a training group.The higher the management level, the more is the influencing role of the manager. The manager communicates to create a good climate, right attitudes and congenial working relationships.
Problem solving: Communication between the management and the union on some issues (negotiation) is aimed at finding a solution to problems.Many group meetings are held to brainstorm alternative solutions for a problem and to evolve acceptable solutions. Such communication can be in small or in large groups.
Decision-making: Communication helps a great deal in decision-making. A more important role is played by the communication of alternative solutions and the exchange of views on various matters.
Change: The effectiveness of a change introduced in an organisation depends to a large extent, on the clarity and spontaneity of the communication.Communication between the consultants and the managers, between the managers and the employees, and amongst the employees helps in knowing the difficulties in the planned change, and in taking corrective action.
Group Building: Communication helps in building relationships. Even under conditions of severe conflict, good relations can be restored only if the communication process is continued. If communication breaks down, the group may disintegrate. Communication provides necessary lubrication for proper functioning of a group. The communication of feelings, concerns, and support is particularly important in this context.
Gate Keeping: Communication helps to build linkages of the organisation with the outside world. The organisation can use its environment to increase its effectivenss.
Written communication is more effective in the transmission (and reception and comprehension) of cognitive messages. On the other hand, oral and specially face-to-face communication is more effective in bringing about changes of opinions and attitudes.
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