BUSINESS

COMMUNICATION
Channels of communication

by Yogendra ojha
 CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION

Communication channels refer to the way this information flows within the
organization. All communication takes some way, or passage through some
well defined, easily identifiable stages.
Channels of communication can be classified in two categories:
1. Formal channel
2. Informal channel
 FORMAL CHANNEL
Formal channel of communication means well defined structure and certain
rules and regulation are given for the flow of information.
A formal channel of communication is formally controlled by managers or
people occupying position in an organization. This ensure the flow of
information orderly, timely and in accurate manner.
 ADVANTAGE OF FORMAL
COMMUNICATION
1. Orderly flow of communication: communication is made in hierarchy.
2. Identified source: we can easily identify the source from where information
arises.
3. Authentic information: the information is in its original form with relevant
facts and events.
4. Justification of authority: it help in maintaining the authority structure of
organization as information is given only by those who have authority.
 ADVANTAGE OF FORMAL
COMMUNICATION

5 Answerability of actions: those who have given the task is answerable for his
actions.
6 Control: there is better control over the actions .
7 Better cooperation and coordination: there is better coordination and
cooperation between the employees in case of formal communication.
 DISADVANTAGE OF FORMAL
COMMUNICATION
1. Time consuming: one action is followed by another through proper
channel so takes large time.
2. Expensive: when it is time consuming it proves very much expensive.
3. Lack of personal touch: in formal channel information flow through well
defined structure and there is no bias .
4. Distortion: in order to save time and cost sometimes information is
changed and not convey in its original form.
 INFORMAL/ GRAPEVINE CHANNEL
OF COMMUNICATION
The flow of information which do not have any proper path or any defined
rules and regulation is called informal channel of communication.
This type of communication take place when there is no specific purpose or
target to achieve.
 TYPES OF GRAPEVINE CHANNELS
1. Singe strand chain: In this type of chain A tells something to B who tell it
to C and so on.
2. Gossip chain: Here one person seeks out and tells everyone the
information he or she has obtained. This chain is used when information
or message of an interesting nature but one that is non job related.
3. Probability chain: Here individuals indifferent to, or not really interested
in the persons to whom they are passing some information. they tell at
random, and those people in turn tell others at random.
4. Cluster chain: In this A tell something to few selected individuals and
then some of individual inform other selected individual.
 ADVANTAGE OF INFORMAL
1. COMMUNICATION
Social relationship: It help in establish good social relationship with the
people.
2. Need satisfaction: This information is according to our need which we
want to hear.
3. Speed: the informal way of communication is speedy and takes less
time to flow.
4. Avenue of expression: it provide path for expression communication like
facial expression and body language.
5. Feedback: in informal we get feedback instantly.
6. Supporting formal channel: it help in supporting formal channel of
communication.
 DISADVANTAGE OF INFORMAL
COMMUNICATION
1. Cannot be taken seriously: Informal communication can not be taken
seriously as it is less authentic.
2. Does not carry complete information: informal channel does not contain
complete information it is constructed according to our need.
3. Distorts information: in this information is not in original form.
4. Chances of misinterpretation: in informal there is chance of
misinterpretation as information is distorts.
5. Lack of accountability: informal communication does not allow fixing
authority or responsibility in case of default.