CATEGORIES OF COMMUNICATION

1.

Formal communication: Usually refers to written communication, the use of formal

communication usually determines by:
i.
Organizational size, because as organization grows they tend to make increasing use
of formal communication and diminish the use of informal organization.
Public character; public organization tends to rely more heavily on formal

ii.

communication because of: 1. Bureaucratic establishment that depend on written

official documents 2. Organization manages distrust so they rely on this papers or
written word, which is shared, and binding. 3. Organization makes and maintains
papereality that take precedence over the things and event they portray.
Formal communication may also be regarded as the messages that follow the hierarchical
structure of the organization such communication can include directives, on a new procedure, or
manual instruction. Often message use special jargon for precision/accuracy, which may create
confusion
Flow of in formal communication:
Communication flows in three separate directions:

Upward communication: Communication flowing from lowers to higher levels of

organization, such as progress report, suggestion, inquiries, and grievances

Downward communication: The traditional flows of information from upper
organization level to lower level such as job direction, assignment or task, performance

feedback, information concerning organizations goal.

Horizontal communication: The exchange of information among individual on the same

organization or level either across or within department

Diagonal/crossway communication: The flow of information, often in matrix structure.
Between individual from different units and organizational level

2.

Informal communication

Informal communication refers to oral communication. It also includes attitudes, ideas, which
can be transmitted by means of gesture, and body language. Although it has a place in
organization life, its role is limited and in any case it is hard to analyze and define.
Informal Communication deals with more subjects but lack of authority although it may have
considerable influence. Informal communication may pass between staff at the same level
ranging from how to get along with the supervisor to the observation on which rules are and are
not enforced. It often reinforces formal communication. It takes two forms 1. Gossip chain: The
spreading of information by one person to many others 2. Cluster chain: An exchange in which
one person or a selected few share information with few others