Organisational Communication
Welcome to this part of the website which is about organisational communication.
To start we first explain you what an organisation actually is. An organisation is a group of people that work together towards a goal.
Organisational communication is the communication between different hierarchy levels or between different departments in an organisation (Eunson, 2012).
So how do we communicate in an organisation? This can be done in different ways, and each communication channel, this means memo's, phone, emails and so on, will be more useful in one situation then the other.
To start we first explain you what an organisation actually is. An organisation is a group of people that work together towards a goal.
Organisational communication is the communication between different hierarchy levels or between different departments in an organisation (Eunson, 2012).
So how do we communicate in an organisation? This can be done in different ways, and each communication channel, this means memo's, phone, emails and so on, will be more useful in one situation then the other.
An organisation is structured. This can be done in different ways, but most organisations are hierarchies. This means that there is structure in the ranks and levels, the highest rank being the most powerful. Each level you go down in the hierarchy will be less powerful. Each level communicates with the level above them and this is how an hierarchy organisation communicates (Eunson, 2012).
Communicating between employees on the same level is horizontal communication. When another level communicates with another level it is called vertical communication (Eunson, 2012).
Horizontal and vertical communication in an organisation have a positive effect on organisational commitment. Studies on small groups have shown that communicating between employees on the same level increases feeling attached with the organisation while communicating between the levels in an hierarchy identifies with a higher order (Bartels, J., Peters, Oscar., Jong, de, M., Pruyn, A., Molen, van der, M., 2010).
Vertical communication travels up and down within the organisation. Downward communication goes from top to bottom of the organisation and upward goes from down to up within the organisation (Eunson, 2012).
Because vertical communication is generally about the organisation’s strategy, employees can define through vertical communication, what the company stands for, what their mission is and goals (Bartels et al, 2010).
Communicating between employees on the same level is horizontal communication. When another level communicates with another level it is called vertical communication (Eunson, 2012).
Horizontal and vertical communication in an organisation have a positive effect on organisational commitment. Studies on small groups have shown that communicating between employees on the same level increases feeling attached with the organisation while communicating between the levels in an hierarchy identifies with a higher order (Bartels, J., Peters, Oscar., Jong, de, M., Pruyn, A., Molen, van der, M., 2010).
Vertical communication travels up and down within the organisation. Downward communication goes from top to bottom of the organisation and upward goes from down to up within the organisation (Eunson, 2012).
Because vertical communication is generally about the organisation’s strategy, employees can define through vertical communication, what the company stands for, what their mission is and goals (Bartels et al, 2010).
Networking
As found on Oxford Dictionaries (2014), networking is a group of people who exchange information and contacts for professional or social purposes.
In the businessworld, networking is an important skill. People that do network have better leadership opportunities and a career that grows and according to research, networking capability is linked to your productivity (Butler, 2008).
In a research of Herminia Ibarra from the French business school INSEAD it is said we network on three levels. This is operational, strategic and personal (Butler, 2008)
Operational level means that we network with other people to get the job done.
Strategic level is networking for you on your career. Where are you going, and which people can help you achieve your goals? How and where can you meet these people and how can you help them?
Networking on a personal level means you network with people in your personal life or in your community, out of the organisation you work for (Butler, 2008). So for example when you like running, join a runningclub. It is about communicating with likeminded people.
It is often thought that only extroverted people are good in networking. They are confident with talking to people. But extroverted people need to be more strategic in where they network and who can actually contribute to their goals. Introvert people are less confident with starting to talk to people, but they do understand the strategic part very well (Butler, 2008).
Networking can be learned by anyone, and good networking contributes to your goals!
As found on Oxford Dictionaries (2014), networking is a group of people who exchange information and contacts for professional or social purposes.
In the businessworld, networking is an important skill. People that do network have better leadership opportunities and a career that grows and according to research, networking capability is linked to your productivity (Butler, 2008).
In a research of Herminia Ibarra from the French business school INSEAD it is said we network on three levels. This is operational, strategic and personal (Butler, 2008)
Operational level means that we network with other people to get the job done.
Strategic level is networking for you on your career. Where are you going, and which people can help you achieve your goals? How and where can you meet these people and how can you help them?
Networking on a personal level means you network with people in your personal life or in your community, out of the organisation you work for (Butler, 2008). So for example when you like running, join a runningclub. It is about communicating with likeminded people.
It is often thought that only extroverted people are good in networking. They are confident with talking to people. But extroverted people need to be more strategic in where they network and who can actually contribute to their goals. Introvert people are less confident with starting to talk to people, but they do understand the strategic part very well (Butler, 2008).
Networking can be learned by anyone, and good networking contributes to your goals!
References
Bartels, J., Peters, Oscar., Jong, de, M., Pruyn, A., Molen, van der, M. (2010). Horizontal and vertical communication as determinants of professional and organisational identification. Personnel Review, 39 (2), 210-226.
Butler, L. (2008). Networking in the 21st century – don’t get left behind! Training and development in Australia, 35 (6), 25-26.
Communication. [Image]. (2014). Retrieved from https://www.emergenetics.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Communication-Copyright-EN.jpg
Eunson, B. (2012). Communicating in the 21st century. In Eunson, B., Employment communication (pp. 664-701). Milton: John Wiley & Sons.
Networking [Image]. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.homeadvisorhomesource.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/networking.jpg
Oxford Dictionaries. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/network
Vertical communication [Image]. (2014). Retrieved from https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRDoQQyQK6tffCFMzLdapxRbrahppytTgzHXTDgNpp_CExtojXHEA
Bartels, J., Peters, Oscar., Jong, de, M., Pruyn, A., Molen, van der, M. (2010). Horizontal and vertical communication as determinants of professional and organisational identification. Personnel Review, 39 (2), 210-226.
Butler, L. (2008). Networking in the 21st century – don’t get left behind! Training and development in Australia, 35 (6), 25-26.
Communication. [Image]. (2014). Retrieved from https://www.emergenetics.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Communication-Copyright-EN.jpg
Eunson, B. (2012). Communicating in the 21st century. In Eunson, B., Employment communication (pp. 664-701). Milton: John Wiley & Sons.
Networking [Image]. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.homeadvisorhomesource.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/networking.jpg
Oxford Dictionaries. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/network
Vertical communication [Image]. (2014). Retrieved from https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRDoQQyQK6tffCFMzLdapxRbrahppytTgzHXTDgNpp_CExtojXHEA