Public administration unit 5 discussion responses

1. Communication travels in three basic directions:  

2. Upward from subordinate to superior 

3. Downward from superior to subordinate 

4. Horizontally from one organizational unit to another 

 The two types of communication are formal and informal. Formal communication is written communication. Formal communication will less likely to be misunderstood, it is a definite response that requires no face-to-face, it can be traced at any time and preserved, and saves time from having small talk so it’s right to the point. A disadvantage is that some employees find themselves swamped in a sea of documentation and it is impersonal which fails to motivate employees. Informal communication is oral communication. Oral communication has immediate feedback and leads to a resolution of any misunderstandings. Having conversations can be more personal since people are directly dealing with each other. A disadvantage of informal communication is that it can be inaccurate and it can lead to classified information to be leaked. 

2. Information in government agencies travels in the directions:

Upward from subordinate to superior

Down ward from superior to subordinate

Horizontally from one organizational unit to another

There are  two types of communication formal and informal communication. A form of informal communication is the grapevine.  This form of communication can be helpful as it gives employees better knowledge of each other, i.e. likes and dislikes. The negative aspect of the grapevine is that it can cause distorted messages to float within the organization. Formal communication creates accountability. “By facilitating accountability, formal communication places natural restraints on arbitrariness, capriciousness, favoritism, and discrimination. The downside of formal communication is that it impersonal and final, failing to motivate employees” (Rouse 2016). An example would be the implementation of an attendance policy, some people may get a verbal warning and another may get written up right away.

3. Communication promotes motivation, circulates information, alters individuals attitudes, socializes and controls the structure via oral or written means in an organization. The two types of communications that exist in most organizations are informal communication and formal communication. Informal is usually oral and has the primary goal of this messaging is to preserve and establish relationships. Formal is written communication that travels slower, is official and binding and is typically conveyed from top leadership to various departments that funnels down to lower level employees. Informal allows for information to be shared faster but does not leave any paperwork which is sometimes needed while formal is slower but leaves a record of events, information and statements. 

4. Communication travels from through a thread of individuals both internally and externally. It's an important part of any organization and happens among businesses, buyers and sellers, salesperson and potential buyers etc. Communication varies in the following;

Internal Communication - This happens within an organization or a group that resides in the organization. The communication here can be received orally, written down, formally/informally and visual or audio visual. It's intent is to inform, educate and motivate those within the organization. However this form of communication has it's downfalls such as conflict between management and their subordinates that can lead to an abuse of internal communication tools like inappropriate email chains for instance. 

External Communication - This type of communication is meant to target people outside of the organization addressing the press, targeted audience, media government and other competitors. It does this through letters, brochures, press releases, phone calls, advertisements and public product launches. This communication type can be a disadvantage because competitors could use this information to their advantage or something may be released to the public that might damage the organization image. 

5. Oral communication is all messages or exchanges of information that are spoken verbally and is most common type of communication within a company. 

Written communication includes e-mail, texts, letters, reports, manuals and sticky notes. Written communication is very important it give a option for someone to go back and read the communication and analyze it. Electronic communication is becoming undeniable. Written communication is used to change in a company policy and document important messages.

There is also formal and informal communications. Written communication would be more formal , however, and a conversation that is verbal can be less formal.