The Communication Process: as Utilized in Organizations
The Communication Process: As Utilized In Organizations
Latesa Williams
For: Luanne Shirkey
ORM452 (Group & Organizational Behavior)
March 13, 2013
Abstract
Merriam-Webster defines communication as “(3a) a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behaviors; and (5a) a technique for expressing ideas effectively” (Merriam-Webster, 2013). This author is going to use this definition to describe the communication process and how it is used in organizations. The concept of, various forms of, and barriers to communication as well as ways to overcome the barriers will also be discussed in this paper.
There are many models depicting the communication process and each has a different number of steps that represent how the process flows. The seven step model will be used by this author for the purpose of describing how the communication process takes place within an organizational structure.
The source is who initiates the communication process. This starts when the person has an idea or concept that he or she would like to convey to others. In most organizations it can be done verbally or can be written. Many organizations are even using visual methods of communication. The source then encodes the information by determining exactly what it is he or she wants to present to the intended audience or receiver. Encoding is important because the source has to have a sense of what the audience already knows and what information he or she wants to add to it. For example, a department head would not hold a concept meeting with a team of engineers and talk to them about advertising issues. The message has to fit the receiver.
The channel is the way through which the message travels from the source. If the source chooses to communicate orally, he or she must use clear speech that is without jargon and is easily understood. If the source chooses to communicate through written
Latesa Williams
For: Luanne Shirkey
ORM452 (Group & Organizational Behavior)
March 13, 2013
Abstract
Merriam-Webster defines communication as “(3a) a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behaviors; and (5a) a technique for expressing ideas effectively” (Merriam-Webster, 2013). This author is going to use this definition to describe the communication process and how it is used in organizations. The concept of, various forms of, and barriers to communication as well as ways to overcome the barriers will also be discussed in this paper.
There are many models depicting the communication process and each has a different number of steps that represent how the process flows. The seven step model will be used by this author for the purpose of describing how the communication process takes place within an organizational structure.
The source is who initiates the communication process. This starts when the person has an idea or concept that he or she would like to convey to others. In most organizations it can be done verbally or can be written. Many organizations are even using visual methods of communication. The source then encodes the information by determining exactly what it is he or she wants to present to the intended audience or receiver. Encoding is important because the source has to have a sense of what the audience already knows and what information he or she wants to add to it. For example, a department head would not hold a concept meeting with a team of engineers and talk to them about advertising issues. The message has to fit the receiver.
The channel is the way through which the message travels from the source. If the source chooses to communicate orally, he or she must use clear speech that is without jargon and is easily understood. If the source chooses to communicate through written
References: Bovee, C.L., & Thill, J.V. (1992). Business Communication Today. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. “Communication. (2013). In Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary. Retrieved March 12, 2013, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communication” Diagram courtesy of Francis Abey. Retrieved 13 March 2013, from MBA Knowledge Base, http://www.mbsknol.com/business/elements-of-the-communication-process. Kinds of Communication: The 3 Communication Channels. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.bizmoves.com/skills/m8m.htm.