horizontal communication

(noun)

The flow of messages across functional areas on the same level of an organization.

Related Terms

  • lateral

Examples of horizontal communication in the following topics:

  • Horizontal Communication

    • Horizontal communication is the flow of messages across individuals and groups on the same level of an organization.
    • Horizontal communication, also called lateral communication, involves the flow of messages between individuals and groups on the same level of an organization.
    • Horizontal communication does not involve relaying information up or down across levels.
    • Communication within a team is an example of horizontal communication; members coordinate tasks, work together, and resolve conflicts.
    • Horizontal communication refers to any communication between employees at the same level of an organization
  • 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.
  • Types of Organizations

    • An organization's ownership and management styles can impact its communication structures.
    • At the same time, there are some businesses that support informal and horizontal forms of communication.
    • Therefore the purpose of marketing, or external communications, in an NPO is to build awareness and to demonstrate the company's ability to make a difference with community support.
    • Regarding internal communications, smaller non-profits might lean toward using a combination of both formal and informal methods coupled with horizontal communication strategies.
    • An organization's CSR policy can shape what is communicated in the public sphere.
  • Matrix Structure

    • Generally speaking, larger companies with a need for a great deal of cross-departmental communication benefit most from this model.
    • Product lines are managed horizontally and functions are managed vertically.
  • Types of Organizational Culture

    • Individualism vs. collectivism: This could best be described as the degree to which an organization integrates a group mentality and promotes a strong sense of community (as opposed to independence) within the organization.
    • This is usually openly communicated with the public and demonstrated internally by employees.
    • These are tacit assumptions that infect the way in which communication occurs and individuals behave.
    • Person culture: In this type of culture, horizontal structures are most applicable.
  • 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.
  • The Organizational Chart

    • The different types of organization charts include hierarchical, matrix, and flat (also known as horizontal).
    • Product lines are managed horizontally and functions are managed vertically.
  • 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
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