Introduction
All organizations operating in the world have a communication system regardless of their size, location, ownership and other factors differentiating them.
Communication is, therefore, an essential tool in the organization. This is because of the fact that organizations are primarily made up of people who have to communicate to each other to ensure the smooth running of the operations and fulfillment of organizational goals and objectives (Boyaci, 2007, p.13). Due to this, communication is among the top management principles of any organization.
Through communication, all the other systems of the organization can be well monitored and run. It is true to say that communication is the backbone of any organization since without it the top management will not be able to delegate duties, the workers will not be in a position to know what they are obliged to do in time, changes in the organization will not be known and also the organization will not be able to understand what their competitors are doing.
An organization that has an effective way of communicating to both its internal and external environment is usually highly performing and successful compared to those organizations with sparse communication networks. This paper looks at ways of effective communication putting into consideration factors that influence effective communication in an organization (Hargie, 2000, p.98).
Communication in organizations
Communication is essentially the process by which information is transferred from the source to the desired actual recipient(s) through a medium. The medium is the route by which the message is transmitted. Once the receiver of the information gets the message, they are bound to give feedback or act to the message given.
There are various forms of communication within an organization, and each organization will use the kind of communication that suits them best. Whichever type of communication used is not an issue so long as the information gets to the right recipient and at the correct time (Kondrat, 2009, p.1). The primary forms of communication found in an organization include:
- Formal communication;
- Informal communication.
Formal communication is also sometimes known as the written communication, and it entails passing of information from the authorities to the subordinates and vice versa through defined channels of communication. The major examples of formal communication within an organization include the internal memorandums, Resignation and promotion letters to mention but a few.
This form of communication is highly dependable since there is proof is communication and also due to the fact that the information only reaches the desired recipients only (Kondrat.2009, p.1).
On the other hand, informal communication entails passing of information from one point to the next but with no defined channels of communication. The most common example is the verbal communication where one can give information randomly among the people in the organization. This type of connection is not the best as there are very high chances of leakage of information hence reaching people who were not the desired recipients of the data (Hargie, 2000, p.98).
The flow of communication in organizations
Communication in organizations flows in three significant directions namely:
- Upward communication;
- Downward communication;
- Lateral / Horizontal communication.
Upward communication entails passing of communication from the junior workers to the top management. It mostly involves complaints by the subordinates on matters like a pay rise or poor working conditions. The upward communication is vital to managers that use it to gauge their performance and improve where necessary.
Downward communication involves sending information from the top management to the subordinates. They use it to pass the information on matters like the company’s policies and procedures. It also helps to give feedback to the subordinates on matters they have complained of.
Lastly, lateral/ horizontal communication entails the passage of information between people of the same cadre in the organization. It commonly occurs between departments of an organization, for example, the finance and human resource departments.
Factors influencing communication in organizations
The factors that affect communication in an organization are grouped into various categories. These include:
- Environmental factors.
- External factors.
- Internal factors.
- Other factors.
Environmental factors
The organization’s environment is made up of a number factor of which some of the effect the communication systems in an organization. These factors include personal factors of an individual, those that bring visual problems by hindering the message and last but not least the auditory factors.
Visual factors will comprise of the distance, lightning, weather conditions, the visibility and the angle of viewing. A clear example is when there is not enough lighting in a room, the people inside will not be able to communicate effectively.
- Auditory factors will involve factors such as noise, echoing or the distance between the sender and receiver. A good example is people working in factories that produce a lot of noise during their operations (Boyaci, 2007, p.5).
- The last factor in the environmental factors category is individual factors such as inadequate ventilation or inadequate preparation of the whole process.
External factors
Research shows that communication is greatly affected by factors that are outside the organization. Despite these factors happening in the external environment their impact is very highly felt. Some of these factors include:
The political stability of the nation
Depending on the type of governance in the country where the organization is situated, the political stand has some impact on the communication system of the organization. For example in countries where there is political instability, communication is not proper as people live in fear and doubt almost everything they are told. Effective communication, therefore, is available in politically stable nations.
Availability of Technology
The level of technology within the organization is another factor affecting the communication system in the organization. In that, organizations that have a higher level of technology have better efficiency of communications in terms of speed and accuracy (Hargie, 2000. P.67).
You cannot compare an organization that uses hand delivered mails to pass information from one office to the other with another organization that uses the internet in the form of electronic letters to pass data from one office to the next.
However, the higher the level of technology the higher the risk of mishandling the technology, as it is possible to hack the information saved in computers and therefore knows the secrets of the organization. It is because of this reason that some organizations prefer the primitive methods of communicating.
Economy of the country
The economy of the country where the organization is also operating indirectly affects the organizational communication networks. In a country where the economy is good, people will be ready to listen and follow the right channels of communication while on the other hand in countries where the economy is poor people are bound to riot hence ineffective communication (Octopus, 2008, p.1).
Competition level
The level of competition is also an external factor that affects communication within an organization. In an environment where competition is less the workers and management become reluctant and less aggressive in their obligations hence making them not take into account whatever information is passed to them.
While in circumstances where the organization is operating in a highly competitive environment both the top management and subordinates will be vigilant on whatever information passed hence making communication very effective.
Internal factors
Apart from the external factors of the organization, there are also matters within the organization’s perimeter wall which affect communication. These include;
Conflict
In cases where the superiors are not in good terms with the subordinates then communication becomes a problem (Townsend, 2009, p.1). The workers will not be ready to listen to whatever is being said since they have conflicted in other grounds. When this happens, it is always advisable that peace is made as early as possible so as not to affect the operations of the organization (Breakwell, 2000, p 7).
Poor Timing
Right timing of the message to be communicated is always essential. In cases where the message reaches the recipients earlier or later than desired, it may not be well perceived. For example, if the top management issues a notice whose deadline is very near, the workers may not welcome it as they may not have adequate time to achieve it because of their duties.
Attitude
The attitude or behavior of either the giver or receiver of the information may affect communication. If the receiver of the message is not willing to receive it, then discussion will not take place. In the same way, the sender of the message may not be willing to send the message, for example, if the workers are not ready to voice out their side of the story then the management may not be able to know their problems hence ineffective communication(David,1999,p.34).
Leadership style
The style of leadership is used in the organization is also an influencing factor to communication. An organization that uses authoritative or dictatorship style of leadership may have poor communication as it will only be a one-way scenario. The superiors will be the ones dictating what to be done unlike in situations where there is free sharing of ideas.
Other factors
Other factors do not fall in the categories mentioned above but affect communication in the organization as well. These factors though they may seem to be minor, they have significant impacts if not well checked. They include the following:
Credibility of the source
Most people in an organization will tend to look at the source from which the information is coming from before listening and putting into consideration the message. If the sender of the information is trustworthy, then the communication will be effective as it will be well received.
Channel of communication
The mode of communication is also another essential factor when it comes to sending information. For example, messages that are sent through formal communication are taken more seriously compared to those that are sent using informal communication. It is, therefore, necessary to select the appropriate channels when sending information in an organization.
Relationship of sender and receiver
It is evident that the relational status of an individual to the other can also affect communication. In most cases, the information from the top management to the subordinates is usually paid more attention as compared to information from the juniors. The superiors tend to ignore the juniors because of their position in the organization. This as a factor affecting communication is very important and should be well managed if at all the organization is to succeed.
Organizational status of the sender of information
For communication to be efficient, the sender of the information should be well organized and prepare well before passing the information. The receivers of any information prefer well-organized messages that are up-to-date compared to mix up information.
Managing Communication for effectiveness
There are various ways in which communication within an organization may be managed such that it is effective and achieves the goals it was meant to achieve. Some of these techniques include:
Employee suggestion schemes
The involvement of workers in organizational issues is a very critical way of solving organizational problems. The workers though subordinate may have significant and innovative ideas that may be of great benefit to the organization once given the opportunity King, 2010.p.1). Given a chance the workers have different ways of passing their ideas to the management of the organization. Most organizations have come up with a way of encouraging their workers to voice out their issues by giving them incentives.
These incentives can be in the form of bonuses or gifts and awards. This can lead to innovations being voiced out hence improving the organizational status (Usun, 2004, p.5). The only disadvantage of this method is at times the suggestions given to the top management may be challenging for the organization to carry out or change. If this happens, the organization is seen to have failed in their responsibility.
Grievance systems
This method entails the creation of ways through which the workers of an organization are able to disclose issues without the fear of chances or revenge or dismissal from their employment. The management should put in place systems where they can listen to the problems and complaints of the employees privately. They should always be ready to listen to the issues of the employees. By this, the workers feel loved and part of the organization hence working extra hard.
Open-door policies
The implementation of open door policies entails the creation of public forums where the members of an organization are free to voice out their issues and be listened to (Breakwell, 200, p.12). Through the creation of such forums, it omits the stages involved in passing information to the top management.
By this, the subordinates feel motivated to raise issues since they are comfortable and the process has been cut short to suit them. The advantage is that the management sets a happy mood in the organization where no one feels intimidated.
However, the problem is that some workers may take advantage of this and bring up issues that consume most of the time of the mangers and yet might not be that weighty.
Employee surveys
In order to exactly find out what the problem is in an organization, one has to conduct a survey to analyze the whole issue. This method there gives a very prompt response thus providing room for improvement. Because the workers have the benefit of namelessness, workers are able to respond honestly without fear of revenge or dismissal by the superiors or fellow workers (David, 1999, p.54).
Once the survey is conducted, it is necessary that the top management of the organization gives feedback. By giving feedback, the workers are motivated as they get to feel that their efforts of voicing out their onions were put into consideration and has born fruits
Conclusion
As discussed above, communication is thus very essential in the organization and should be managed appropriately if at all the organization is to be successful. The main objective of communication is to make sure that the information is correctly delivered and feedback given.
By understanding the possible factors that may affect communication in an organization, it is possible to take measures to counteract them hence making communication effective. Since in most cases in an organization the senders of the messages are the top management they should, therefore, make sure that the information they send will be well received by the employees. They should get appropriate channels of communication and also right timing of the message.
For example, calling a parade just before the employees have had their lunch will be a waste of time as no one will be ready to listen to you. In such a case the management ought to be clever enough such that they give incentives just before communicating to their subordinates as a way of encouraging them to listen. It is for the same reason that the sitting allowance is given for meetings.
References
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Boyaci, C. (2007). The Importance of Communication within Organizations: A Research On Two Star Hotels in Antalya Region. Web.
David, V. (1999). International Business Communication. Harper Collins.
Hargie, O. and Tourish, D. (2000). Handbook of Communication Audits for Organizations. Routledge, London.
King, W. (2010). Importance of Communication in Organization. Web.
Kondrat, A. (2009). Effective Communication in the Workplace. Web.
Octopus, R. (2008). The Importance of Communication in the Workplace. Web.
Townsend, R. (2009). Factors Affecting Communication. Web.
Usun, S. (2004). Factors Affecting the Application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Distance Education. Web.