Communication in Human Relations

Organizational structure refers to the way managers design their firm to achieve the organization’s mission and goals. Managers design formal structures to organize its resources. The organization’s structure determines who works together, and organizational communication flows through this structure. In the development of an organizational structure, there are five important questions to be answered.

Organizational communication is the compounded interpersonal communication process across an organization. Communication within an organization flows in a vertical, horizontal, or lateral way throughout the firm. It may also be conveyed through the grapevine, which goes in all directions.

Vertical communication is the flow of information both up and down the chain of command. It is often called formal communication because it follows the chain of command and is recognized as official. Horizontal communication is the flow of information between colleagues and peers.
It is often called informal and lateral communication because it does not follow the chain of command. As an employee, you may find it necessary to communicate with your peers, employees in other departments, and people outside the organization, such as customers, to meet your objectives.

Although ability to use technology is a predictor of performance, interpersonal skills remain the key to effective communications. The communication process consists of a sender who encodes a message and transmits it through a channel to a receiver who decodes it and may give feedback.