Page 190 - DMGT106_MANAGING_HUMAN_ELEMENTS_AT_WORK

Managing Human Element at Work

Notes helps the subordinates in putting forth their grievances, suggestions, etc. before the
management. Thus communication helps in promoting mutual understanding,
cooperation and goodwill between the management and workers.
10. It increases managerial efficiency. It is said that the world of modern management is
the world of communication and the success of a manager in the performance of his
duties depends on his ability to communicate. Administrators in business and industry
reportedly spend 75 to 95 per cent of their time communicating (either sending or
receiving messages.) Naturally then, an effective system of communication is very
essential for the efficiency of a manager.

The manager must make a choice of useful and essential information
which should reach him.

8.2 Formal Communication

Much of the communication in an organization is what we call formal communication. It
flows in formally established channels and is concerned with work-related matters. All
orders, instructions and decisions are communicated to the subordinates through this channel.
Formal communications flow in four directions—downward, upward, laterally between
departments and between the organization and the external environment.

8.2.1 Downward Communications
Communications which flow from superiors to the subordinates are known as downward
communications. These communications are the medium through which the superior:
1. Directs the efforts of his subordinates;
2. Defines the goals of the organization and the sub-group;
3. Tells the subordinates what is expected of them, what resources are available, how well
they are doing, etc. and
4. Administers reward and punishment.
There can be several media of downward communication such as written orders, posters and
bulletin boards, company periodicals and handbooks, information racks, loud-speakers,
grapevine, annual reports, group meetings and the labour union. Of all these, orders are the
most frequent.
8.2.2 Upward Communications

Communications which flow from the subordinates to superiors are called upward
communications. These communications generally act as a feedback. They enable the
management to know how far downward communications have been understood and carried
out. They also help the management to know the grievances or suggestions of the subordinates
and the way in which the management is seen by the subordinates.
8.2.3 Horizontal Communications
These are also known as lateral or crosswise: communications. They refer to communications
among the subordinates who are working on the same level of the organization. Such
communications help coordinate the activities of different departments. The production
foreman and the maintenance foreman communicate directly without going through their
managers. In this way, lateral communication avoids the much slower procedure of directing
communications through a common superior.

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