Flow of Communication: Internal and External

The structure of an organisation should provide for communication in three distinct directions: downward, upward, and horizontal. These three directions establish the framework within which communication in an organisation takes place.

Type of Communication Flows

Flow of Communication can be of two type:

1. Internal
2. External

Examining each one briefly will enable us to better appreciate the barriers to effective organisational communication and the means to overcome them.

Internal

In understanding the forms of communication within organisations, one of the critical conceptions is directionality. Internal flow of communication in an organisation comprises the following:

Downward Communication

Communication which flows from a top level to a low level in an organisation is known as downward communication. This flow of communication is used by the managers to convey work-related information to the employees at lower levels.

Upward Communication

Flow of Communication which flows to a higher level in a company is known as upward communication. It gives feedback on how well the company is working. The subordinates use upward communication to express their performances and problems to their superiors.

The subordinates also use upward communication to tell how well they have understood the downward communication. It can also be used by the employees to share their ideas and opinions and also to take part in the process of decision-making

Horizontal Communication

In an organisation, the communication which occurs at same levels of hierarchy is known as lateral communication, that is, communication between managers, between peers at same levels or between any horizontally equivalent organisational members.

Diagonal Communication

The diagonal flow of communication concerns to communication between managers and employees situated at diverse functional divisions. In other words, it takes place when communication occurs among employees in a diverse unit of the organisation and where one of the employees involved is on a higher level in the organisation.

Grapevine Communication

Grapevine communication is a form of informal communications in business that develops within an organisation. Large organisations, where there are many people who are working closely, create certain unofficial or informal communication channels. These channels exist with or without authorised patronage.

External

The external flow of communication takes place between a manager and external groups such as suppliers, vendors, banks, financial institutes, etc. For instance, to raise capital the Managing director would interact with the Bank Manager.

2 Type of External communication are:

Official

• Press releases, conferences
• Speeches
• Advertising, marketing
• Letters, email
• Meetings with the community, stakeholders
• Blogs

Unofficial

• Whistle-blowers, media leaks
• External grapevine
• Insider trading
• Industrial espionage/intellectual property theft
• Blogs, complaints/‘flaming’ websites

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Business Communication Notes

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