How Does Information Flow in an Organization?

Organizational communication involves the relaying of information within the organization from one level to another. 

Organizations must have a robust environment that encourages and facilitates open communication that, in turn, will lead the employees to accomplish their task effectively. 

Types of Organizational Flow are discussed below.

Formal and Informal Channels 

Formal channels of communication involves the flow of communication between the channels of organization. Generally, there is some level of bureaucracy in flow of information. 

Informal Channels involves social and psychological factors within an informal system. It involves any channel of information that is not formal.. The communication process is speedy but has a lot of discrepancy. 

Direction for Communication Flow 

Downward communication is when communication flows from atop office to the subordinate, like that of supervisor to employee. 

Upward communication is generally feedback that is provided to upper office. This form of communication is not free from any bias or prejudice and information may be twisted.

• Note: Upward flow often comes in the form of employee feedback. Unfortunately, employees lack incentive (or fear retribution) and often turn down perfunctory efforts to provide feedback.

Horizontal Communication Flow moves towards cross-functional teams that facilitate interaction among each other in the absence of a decision-making authority. It is considered as the most important aspect when it comes to providing good quality work.

Related Topics

• What is Communication?
• What is the Communication Process?
• Messages in Communications
• Communications Context: The Recipient
• Information Flow within an Organization