Organisational Communication

Introduction

Communication in most cases is viewed to be a social activity and as a social activity, it includes aspects like: engaging in conversations, listening to colleagues, networking, collecting information, directing subordinates or transferring information through electronic devices such as telephone or computers (Dainty, Moore and Murray 2006). As a result, performance of organizations in modern world depends a lot on effective communication. Communication can be said to constitute any activity that involves conveying meaningful information to an individual or group of people (Altinoz, 2009). For communication to take place there should be the sender and receiver of the information. Furthermore, communication may be verbal or non-verbal depending on the situation and participants involved in such communication interaction (Hamilton, 2007). But, effective communication that is productive in nature, only take place in an organization that has developed an effective communication structure. Such communication structure has to incorporate certain communication concepts which define the success or failure of communication in the organization.

Communication concepts

Developing effective communication structures in form of communication strategy plans has become popular in modern organizations. It is understood that, communication is not just something that take place or ‘just happen' but rather, is something which succeed when there is an effective communication strategy (Cushman and Cahn, 1985). There are specific communication concepts which must characterize any communication structure and process in an organization. The concepts have to indicate how the organization can create and enhance effective communication which address and satisfy needs of multiple stakeholders and also ensure the objectives and goals of the organization are achieved efficiently.

a) Active listening

The first communication concept involves active listening or what can be termed as productive listening. Communication is of two types: verbal and non-verbal communication. In organization, apart from verbal communication being used frequently, non-verbal communication is also likely to be used among employees, managers and other internal members of the organization. Organization meetings, forums, discussions, and so on, are likely to involve verbal communication of different speakers to specific audience. Verbal communication is therefore likely to involve face-to-face communication between the sender of message or information and the receiver of the message. Mukherjee (2005) observes that active listening is essential and critical in all the face-to-face communication processes. Organizations spend great deal of time promoting and cultivating face-to-face communication between managers and employees, shareholders and management team, members