Basic Concepts and Communication Models

1
Basic Concepts and Communication Models

• An introduction to thinking about communication
  in organizations

2
Some Initial Observations

• A communication axiom-- You cannot not
  communicate
• Always judge communication in terms of context
• Language in an inherently arbitrary symbol system
• Language is polysemic

3
Communication and organizations

• Communication is not a secondary or derived
  aspect of organizations--it is not a helper
• Communication is an intrinsic, inherent, defining
  feature of organizations
• No human relationship could be maintained, no
  organizational objective achieved, no activities
  coordinated and no decisions reached without
  communication.

4
Unique Perspectives on Communication in
Organizations

• Downward communication (superior to subordinate)
• Upward communication (subordinate to superior
• Horizontal communication (among colleagues)
• Informal communication (the grapevine)

5
Comparative Communication Models

• Early models depicted linear movement S-gtM-gtC-gtR
• More accepted view now is transactional/transforma
  tional model of communication--simultaneous
  encoding and decoding of messages

6
Critical Elements in Communication Models

• Encoding/decoding affected by differing frames of
  reference (race, sex, ed. background, geography,
  culture, etc.)
• Code--verbal, vocal, visual
• Channel--importance, needs of receiver, amount of
  feedback needed, permanent record?, cost,
  formality level

7
Critical Elements cont.

• Feedback--advantages and disadvantages
• Noise--external and internal, technical or
  semantic
• Environment--time, place, physical and social
  surroundings