communication

(noun)

The concept or state of information exchange.

Related Terms

  • feedback
  • semiotic

(noun)

The exchange of information between entities.

Related Terms

  • feedback
  • semiotic

Examples of communication in the following topics:

  • Downward Communication

    • While downward communication may sometimes invite a response, it is usually one-directional rather than reciprocal–the higher-level communicator does not invite or expect a response from the lower-level recipient.
    • Whether informative or persuasive, effective downward communication results in the recipients taking action or otherwise behaving in accord with the communicators' expectation.
    • Business communication experts John Anderson and Dale Level identified five benefits of effective downward communication:
    • Ensuring effective downward communication is not necessarily an easy task.
    • Managers need to effectively communicate information to their subordinates; they do this through downward communication.
  • Defining Communication

    • Communication requires a sender, a message, and a recipient, although the receiver may not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication.
    • Communication requires that the communicating parties share some area of commonality.
    • Perhaps the most time-honored form of communication is storytelling.
    • Business communication encompasses marketing, brand management, customer relations, consumer behavior, advertising, public relations, corporate communication, community engagement, reputation management, interpersonal communication, employee engagement, and event management.
    • Many organizations have a communications director who oversees internal communications and crafts messages sent to employees.
  • Horizontal Communication

    • Horizontal communication, also called lateral communication, involves the flow of messages between individuals and groups on the same level of an organization.
    • Communication within a team is an example of horizontal communication; members coordinate tasks, work together, and resolve conflicts.
    • Horizontal communication occurs formally in meetings, presentations, and formal electronic communication, and informally in other, more casual exchanges within the office.
    • An organization that has relied on rigid, formal styles of communication in the past may find it difficult to switch to more employee-directed, horizontal communication.
    • Horizontal communication refers to any communication between employees at the same level of an organization
  • Upward Communication

    • Upward communication is the transmission of information from lower levels of an organization to higher ones; the most common form is employees communicating with managers.
    • Upward communication is often made in response to downward communication; for instance, employees answering a question from their manager.
    • In this way, upward communication indicates the effectiveness of a company's downward communication.
    • The communication channel, or mode of sharing information, strongly influences the upward communication process.
    • The availability of communication channels affects employees' overall satisfaction with upward communication.
  • The Nature of Effective Communication

    • The goal of communication is usually to generate action, inform, create understanding, or communicate a certain idea or point of view.
    • Barriers to effective communication distort, obscure, or misrepresent the message and and fail to achieve the desired effect.
    • Effective communication only happens when the words and symbols used create a common level of understanding for both parties.
    • Communications have to take the potential barriers of an audience into account and tailor the message to reach them.
    • Define effective communication in the context of organizational challenges and barriers
  • Team Communication

    • Effective communication is often a key to the successful performance of team tasks.
    • A major part of teamwork is communication.
    • Norms typically emerge about preferred modes, frequency, and timing of communication.
    • When centralized, communication tends to flow from one source to all group members.
    • There are several barriers to effective communication within teams.
  • Types of Communication: Verbal, Written, and Nonverbal

    • There are three main vehicles for communication: verbal, written, and non-verbal.
    • The most common vehicles for communication are oral, non-verbal, written, and electronic.
    • Written communication includes e-mail, memos, and reports.
    • Both oral and written communication can be conveyed electronically.
    • For example, telephone and web conferencing are two modes of oral communication, while e-mail and text messaging are examples of written communication.
  • Informal Communication

    • Informal communication occurs outside an organization's established channels for conveying messages and transmitting information.
    • While formal communication follows practices shaped by hierarchy, technology systems, and official policy, informal communication faces fewer restrictions.
    • Formal communication usually involves documentation, while informal communication usually leaves no recorded trace for others to find or share.
    • In the past, many organizations considered informal communication (generally associated with interpersonal, horizontal communication) a hindrance to effective organizational performance and tried to stamp it out.
    • While informal communication is important to an organization, it also may have disadvantages.
  • Nonverbal Communication

    • Nonverbal elements supplement the use of words to convey meaning during communication.
    • Nonverbal communication refers to meaning conveyed in the absence of words.
    • There are two types of nonverbal communication—voluntary and involuntary.
    • Voluntary nonverbal communication refers to intentional movements, gestures, and poses.
    • For instance, maintaining eye contact when communicating indicates interest.
  • Using Technology to Communicate

    • Communication technologies support many types of messaging and information sharing in organizations.
    • Many mobile apps used on tablets and smartphones allow for both real-time and asynchronous communication.
    • Alternatively, communication can be intended as reciprocal and interactive.
    • Organizations use communication technology to support and drive their business activities.
    • Some examples of technology used to communicate in business include:
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