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COMMUNICATION NETWORKS

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Communication is not simply a matter of individual exchanges between sender and receiver. There is an important social dimension when communication occurs in organizations. This is called social communication through particular systems or networks. A network of communication represents the pattern of contacts among the members of an organization

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Alex Bavelas (1950) experimented with these networks and found that they differ along two dimensions:

1. The characteristics of information exchange. (a) The speed of group problem solving (b) The accuracy of group problem solving (c) The saturation of the network-the amount of information that the network can handle.

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Single Strand / The Chain This is a typical network formation in

the organization. One person communicates with one person only. The information flows only up or down in a hierarchical chain of command. No horizontal communication is provided SPEED-SLOW; ACCURACY FAIR; SATURATION-MODERATE

Amity Business School This is a 4 level hierarchy where 2 subordinates through the hierarchical chain report to the manager X who has 2 levels above him to whom he reports. Such network is appropriate for simple operations requiring little interaction among the members of the group. Speed Slow; Accuracy fair Saturation moderate

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WHEEL

WHEEL/STAR
The wheel network represents the communication pattern under which the subordinates can communicate with one and through one manager. Called a Wheel network since communications pass through the manager who acts as a central authority like the hub of a wheel.

SPEED-FAST; ACCURACY GOOD; SATURATION - LOW

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This is a decentralized Communication Network. Here the message moves in a circle. Here members of the group may have a formal leader or the supervisor but the interaction is primarily lateral among members SPEED SLOW, ACCURACY POOR, SATURATION-HIGH

CIRCLE

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A decentralized communication Network This completely connected network enables members to communicate freely with the others. Typically there is no leader, and the communication can be initiated by any one, even though one member either formally or informally can become the dominant member

ALL CHANNEL/Free Flow

SPEED FAST & SLOW, ACCURACY-GOOD; SATURATION-HIGH

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GOSSIP CHAIN (ONE TELLS MANY)

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CLUSTER CHAIN
(A FEW TELL SELECTED OTHERS)