Communication

Human Behavior in Organization1st Semester 2011

Pangasinan State UniversityGraduate School

Urdaneta City

1. Functions of CommunicationControl-communication performs a control

function by controlling behaviors.Motivation-the formation of specific goals,

feedback on progress toward the goals, and reinforcement of desired behavior.

Emotional Expression-provide a release of feelings and for fulfillment of social needs.

Information-facilitates decision making.

2. The Communication ProcessThe Sender-initiates the messageEncoding-the thoughtThe Message-actual physical product from the

sender’s encodingThe Channel-the medium through which the

message travelsDecoding-translation of the message into a form

that can be understoodThe Receiver-the object to whom the message is

directedNoise-communication barriers that distort clarity of

messageFeedback-determines whether understanding is

achieved

3. Direction of Communication

Downward Communication-Communication that flows from one level of a group or organization to a lower level.

Upward Communication-Communication that flows to a higher level in the group or organization.

Lateral Communication-Communication that takes place among members of the same level.

4.Interpersonal CommunicationOral Communication-The chief means

of conveying messages by utilizing speed and feedback.

Written Communication-any device that is transmitted via written words or symbols.

Nonverbal Communication-nonverbal component of a verbally given message such as body movements, intonations, facial expressions, etc.

5.Organizational Communication

Criteria Chain Wheel All Channel

Speed Moderate Fast Fast

Accuracy High High Moderate

Emergence of a leader

Moderate High None

Member Satisfaction

Moderate Low High

Formal Small-Group Networks:

5.Organizational Communication

The Grapevine:Not controlled by management;Perceived as being more believable and

reliable than formal communications issued by top management;

Largely used to serve the self-interests of people within it.

6.Electronic CommunicationsE-Mail-uses the Internet to transmit and receive

computer-generated text and documents.Instant Messaging/Text Messaging-electronic

messages transmitted using desktop/laptop computers and cell phones or handheld devices.

Networking Software-social networking websites composed of separate networks based on different sources.

Web Logs (Blogs)-Web sites about a single person or company that are usually updated daily.

Video Conferencing-an alternative to expensive and time-consuming travel by allowing conduct of meetings by using live audio and video of people not physically in the same location.

7.Barriers to Effective CommunicationFilteringSelective PerceptionInformation OverloadEmotionsLanguageCommunication ApprehensionGender Differences“Politically Correct” Communication

8.Global Implications

Cultural BarriersSemantics: words mean different things to

different people;Word Connotations: words imply different

things in different languages;Tone Differences: in some cultures, the tone

changes, depending on the context;Difference among Perceptions: people who

speak different languages view the world in different ways.

8.Global Implications

Cultural ContextHigh-Context Cultures: rely heavily on

nonverbal and subtle situational cues in communicating with others.

Low-Context Cultures: rely essentially on words to convey meaning.

8.Global Implications

A Cultural Guide1. Assume differences until similarity is

proven;2. Emphasize description rather than

interpretation or evaluation;3. Practice empathy; and4. Treat your interpretations as a working

hypothesis.

SUMMARY:

Paying close attention to communication effectiveness is all the more important given the ways in which communication technology has transformed the workplace. As managers, choosing the correct channel, being an effective listener, and using feedback, may make for more effective communication. Barriers to effective communication, such as gender and culture, when overcome, can increase our communication effectiveness.

Reference:

Organizational Behavior, 13th Edition, Stephen P. Robbins and Timothy A. Judge

Prentice Hall