Advantages and disadvantages of

downward communication
Posted By businesscom Leave a Comment
2

Practically in downward communication system, the upper level acts

as message sender and the lower level acts as message sender and
the lower level acts as receiver of the message. Some advantages
ofdownward communication system are as follows:

Advantages of downward
communication:
1. Increase efficiency: Necessary instructions are sent to subordinates
and they perform their duties and responsibilities accordingly that is
help to increase efficiency.
2. Maintains

labor-management

relations:

Systematic

flow

of

information form superior to subordinates under this communication

system good labor-management relation is maintained.
3. Maintains organizational discipline: There is a proper chain of
command in downward communication system. So a sense of
discipline may be developed among the employees.
4. Explaining policies and plan: Through downward communication
the upper level management can send the policies, plan and
procedures to the subordinates.
5. Effective decision making: Superiors needed various information to
take decision making in the organization. With the help of this
communication, superiors collect information form subordinate.

6. Facilitates delegation of authority and responsibility: With the

help of downward communication, top level executives delegation of
authority and responsibility to the subordinates.
7. Help in decentralization: Duties and responsibilities can be
delegated among departments through downward communication.
8. Avoid by-passing: Under this communication system, superior send
message to subordinates directly. So there is no chance to bypassing.
9. Give direction: Downward communication is directive in nature. To
give directions to the subordinates, top executives use this
communication method. Subordinates are received their required
guidelines from superior boss.
10.

Issuing orders and instructions: To get the work done by the

employees, necessary orders and instructions should be given to

employees or subordinates.
11.

Constructive suggestion: In downward communication top

executives provides necessary suggestions about the job or work.

12.

Explain the complex issues: Sometimes subordinates needed

proper explanation about the organizational rules, policies and work.

In this situation top executives rely on downward communication top
provide necessary explanations and analysis.

Disadvantages
communication:

of

downward

In spite of having many advantages downward communication, there

are some disadvantages which are given below:

..
..
1. Problem of explanation and re-explanation: It is a main problem of
downward communication. If superiors direction is illegible in case of
such communication, then re-explanation of this direction is a
problem.
2. Disturbing discipline: In this communication, if the bosss direction
is seen by doubtful eyes of sub-ordinates, the chain of command and
discipline may be broken.
3. Unnecessary delay: The channel of downward communication is
lengthy. As every stage of this communication system takes time to
pan the information unnecessary delay is occurred.
4. Efficiency reduces: Morally downward communication is commanding
in nature. So there is no opportunity of the workers to become
efficient.
5. Loss or distortion of information: Information may be fabricated by
the employees to maintain lengthy channel. So, through this
communication information may lose its originality.
6. Reduces relationships: By this communication system relationship
between superior and sub-ordinate may be reduced due to inability
and inefficiency of boss.
7. Slowness system: Downward communication is the slowest
communication method because it requires passing through the
various levels of an organization. For this it may become ineffective.
8. Lack of feedback: In downward communication is a one way
communication system. So there is no opportunity to provide reaction
about the work to the subordinates.

9. Time consuming: Downward communication requires passing

through the various levels of an organization which needed long time
to send information.
10.

Lacks in efficiency: In downward communication, employees

have no opportunity to provide reactions, suggestions and showing

creativity and perform according to them.
11.

Creation

of

frustration:

Downward

communication

is

authoritarian and directive in nature and does not allow the

employees in decision making process and their creativity. For this
reason employees become frustrated.