HISTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF ORGANIZATIONAL
COMMUNICATION
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
COM 400 - COMMUNICATION IN PROFESSIONS
WEEK 1
A. INTRODUCTION:
The prerequisite for human life in this world is communication. Human life will look
empty if there is no communication. Interaction between humans either individually, in
groups or organizations cannot be established without communication. Actions and reactions
carried out by two or more people either individually, in groups or organizations are referred
to as communication actions. Communication actions are carried out by various methods,
namely verbal (oral and written) and nonverbal (gestures and body language).
In the current era, it is clear that there is a change from an industrial society to an
information society. Information technology, which is developing faster every day, is the
cause of this change. Very fast information technology can allow many parties to obtain
information with updates and real time. Changes that are accelerating in various sectors are
also stimulated by the rapid development of information. So that many in society experience
information overload or information overload because of the speed and ease of information.
There is the term junk food when it comes to food, but in this case it is known as junk
information and junk communication, namely the availability of content regarding
information and communication, but there is no provision of meaning, Goldhaber (Akhyar,
2017).
The speed of change in information affects the field of organizational communication. In
1800 communicating in organizations was different from 1900. The year 1900 was also
different in organizational communication from the year 2000. In this case this change is in
line with the introduction of humans with machines, TV, internet, smartphones, heavy
equipment, TV, Radio, E-mail, newspapers, facsimiles, satellites, etc. Communication in
organizations is seen as the glue of the organization or the blood of the organization.
Communication in organizations is seen as the glue of the organization or the blood of the
organization or the needle that embroiders the organizational system, Goldhaber (Akhyar,
2017).
The current media makes changes in people's behavior in conveying situations and
conditions in society, the need for faster and easier information requires information or
communication providers to better master the field of technology and communication.
Media was born to bridge communication between communicators and communicants who
have distance. Today's society has become smarter and more critical with the development
of the technological world. This then makes them more vocal in conveying issues or
problems that occur in the surrounding environment. Various issues or events are often
raised in the public sphere through various means, be it through the printed newspaper
media in the public complaints column or social media. Of course this is a realization of
today's society that is quick to express its opinions. Various forms of public expression are
often conveyed, ranging from writing on social media, going down the street or closing to
the street, hearings, to criticizing various policies. Facing a society that is critical of agencies
or organizations, as a dynamic institution the police are also able to provide information that
can change the public opinion that is so widely discussed. With public relations activities
and information, it is able to change public opinion and stem public discussion on social
media. Mass media and social media as one of the shapers and accommodators of opinions
society which very play a role in information disclosure. The media has the ability to design
the formation of opinions that develop in society, mass media and social media can be the
fastest input by an agency or organization and how organizations can respond quickly to
issues that develop in social media so that the reputation and image of the organization can
remain good. It is necessary to strengthen information in the media in countering the issues
and events that have troubled this community. In this case, public relations is very important
in carrying out its duties in addition to being a communication facilitator, public relations is
also a shaper of positive public opinion as well as a medium for channeling institutional
information to the public. Public relations cannot be separated from its role in countering
issues that occur within the organization, public relations must have the ability to counter
issues or opinions in the community into positive opinions. Public relations must also have a
sustainable plan in order to create and maintain goodwill and mutual understanding between
the police as a protector to the community. Because public relations have an obligation to
provide information and receive information from the public, as well as accommodate the
wishes and aspirations of the community. So that as public relations practitioners understand
the very important aspects of communication and information about the needs and
expectations of the public, so that information and communication can provide positive
opinions and the emergence of a good reputation in the eyes of the public.
society.
In the material on the history of the development of organizational communication, it
will explain how the origin of organizational communication and its development to date. So
that the material will be seen in theory. Viewed from the development of organizational
communication as a field of science in communication departments and or communication
associations. From this side, the study of organizational communication is all activities
carried out by members of the division or publishers of related journals. Organizational
communication can be viewed from what is studied and the publication of scientific articles
published by the number of students researching in this field.
B. ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION REVIEW, FORMERLY AND NOW
Organizational communication has experienced a historical journey from time to time.
Goldhaber and Barnet (Akhyar, 2017) divide two discussions in the development of
organizational communication. The first is the period 1900-1970s and the second is the
1970s until now. The concept of organizational communication is derived from the
following three things:
a. Traditional rhetorical doctrine
b. Old human relations theory
c. Various elements of organizational management theory
As an academic field of study, organizational communication is relatively new when
compared to other fields of study such as science. Communication scholars until the 1980s
were still asking fundamental questions: can the field of organizational communication be
identified? If it can be identified, then to whom? Is it to the field of oral/speech
communication? Communication? Language? Business communication? Or organizational
behavior? Then they propose that organizational communication is communication theory
applied to organizations.
There are three major periods in the development of organizational communication
scholarship as follows:
1. Preparatory Era: between 1900 and around 1940 (transition years 1938-1942)
2. Identification and consolidation era: around 1940 to 1970 (transition years 1967-1973)
3. The era of maturity and innovation: 1970 onwards
In the period 1900-1970s, there were several themes that developed in the study of
organizational communication. Individual behavior, understanding the sources of effective
communication from organizational individuals. Emerging areas of study included structural
discourse, traditional rhetorical theory, interpersonal interaction, and others. Operational
systemic, understanding the overall effectiveness of the organization without looking at
individuals, but rather the structure and systems of the organization, for example: processes,
channels and others.
The period of 1940-1960, a significant development with the first Ph.D dissertation
writing with the title "Channels of Personnel Communication Within the Management
Setting" about the field of communication by Keith Davis in 1952. The year after World
War II ended, many scientific experts returned to campus and published scientific articles
whose research was conducted during wartime. The classification of organizational
communication research made by Tomplins is as follows:
1. Formal communication channels
2. Downward-directed communication
3. Relatively effective media differences
4. Upward directed communication
5. Horizontal communication
6. Supervisory communication and human relations
7. Data collection and measurement
8. Informal communication channels
C. PERIOD OF TRADITION RHETORIC:
(Sendjaja, 2011) The development of the birth of communication science can be traced
back to the Ancient Greek civilization, namely several hundred years BC. The term
"communication" in the current context was not yet known at that time. The term "rhetoric"
was the prevailing term of the era.
Actually, the study of rhetoric predates the Greeks (Golden, 1978; Fross, 1985; Forsdale,
1981) according to scholars. Rhetorical figures such as Kagemmi and PtahHotep are said to
have existed in Ancient Egyptian culture. The pioneer of the rhetoric tradition is Aristotle,
namely as a systematic and organized study effort that was only carried out in the Ancient
Greek Age.
According to Aristotle, the definition of "rhetoric: is to show all efforts aimed at
persuasion. Rhetoric includes three components continued Aristotle, which include:
1. Ethos (source credibility)
2. Pathos (matters concerning emotions/feelings), and
3. Logos (matters of fact)
According to Aristotle, persuasion efforts require three (3) factors, namely the credibility
and communication actors who carry out persuasion activities, the ability to stimulate the
emotions/feelings of the targeted parties, and expertise in disclosing various supporting facts
(logic).
The development of Aristotle's ideas was developed by Cicero and Quintilian. The
rhetorical guidelines that include five elements compiled by them include:
1. Invento (order of argumentation);
2. Dispositio (organization of ideas);
3. Etoquito (language style);
4. Memoria (memory);
5. Pronunciatio (the way the message is delivered).
The factors that determine the success of one's persuasion efforts depend on these five
elements according to Quintilian and Cicero. Coraz, Socrates and Plato are some other
rhetorical figures known at that time. Then the study of rhetoric became more established
institutionally, especially in England, France and Germany in medieval times. At this time,
prominent figures included Thomas Wilson, Francis Bacon, Rene Descartes, Jhon Locke,
Giambattista Vico and David Hume.
The principles of rhetoric expressed by Aristotle, Cicero and Quantilian are considered
to be the basis for the fields of speech communication and rhetoric in the late 18th century.
Rhetoric is no longer narrowly defined as an attempt at persuasion. However, rhetoric is now
defined by the ability of humans to utilize symbols to communicate with each other. At this
time, well-known rhetorical figures include: LA Richards, Richard M. Weaver, Stephen
Toulmin, Kenneth Burke, Marshall McLuhan, Michel Foucault, Jurgen Habermas, Emesto
Grassi, and Chaim Perelman.
D. PERIOD OF GROWTH: 1900 - WORLD WAR II:
The early 19th century may be credited with the growth of communication as a social
science discipline. There were three important developments that occurred in this era. First,
is the determination of communication technology such as telephone, telegraph, radio and
also TV. Second, the process of industrialization and modernization that occurred in
Western European countries and America. Third, the outbreak of World War I and II.
All of these changes gave patterns and directions to the fields of communication studies
that occurred in this era. The various fields of communication studies that have developed in
this period include the relationship of communication with institutions and political issues of
state, the role of communication in social life, social psychological analysis of
communication, communication and education, propaganda, and commercial
communication research.
At that time, the field of communication studies and the field of social life began to
develop in line with the modernization process that occurred. It was assumed that
communication had a real role and contribution to social change. Various empirical and
quantitative studies were carried out in observing the process and impact of communication.
In the field of communication and education studies, for example, aspects studied include
the use of new technologies in formal education, communication skills, communication
strategies, and reading and listening. Meanwhile, in the field of commercial communication
research, the influence of advertising with audiences and other dimensions concerning the
media industry began to develop in line with the growth of the advertising and broadcasting
industries.
The new ideas about communication that occurred during this era were directly or
indirectly influenced by the ideas of European social scientists. European universities at the
time (towards the end of the 18th century) were the world's leading intellectual centers,
especially Germany and France. Marx Weber, August Comte, Emile Durkheim and Sir
Herbert Spencer have various ideas that are seen as an influence on the development of
various communication theories that occur today. Gabriel Tarde and Georg Simmel are the
most important Some other European scientific figures and are considered to have a major
contribution as well (Sendjaja, 2011).
E. CONSOLIDATION PERIOD: WORLD WAR II – 1960s:
The Consolidation Period is the name for the period after World War II until the 1960s.
This is because, during this consolidation period, the approach to communication science as
a multidisciplinary social science (covering various sciences) began to occur. The
crystallization of communication science is marked by three (3) things, namely:
First, there was the adoption of a uniform repertoire of terms. Second, the emergence of
books that discuss the definition and process of communication. Third, there are
standardized concepts regarding the basics of the communication process. The
communication approach has become a cross-disciplinary approach in the sense that it
includes various other disciplines because it is realized that communication is a complex
social process.
There are at least seven figures who have a major role in this period. They include
Claude E. Shannon, Norbert Wiener, Harold Lasswell (political science expert), Paul F.
Lazarsfeld (sociologist), Kurt Lewin and Carl I. Hoviand (both psychologists) are referred to
by Wilbur Schramm as the founding fathers (founders and pioneers) of communication
science. It is called so because their various ideas are seen as the foundation for the
development of various communication theories. Wilbur Schramm is seen as an
institutionalizer, namely as a figure who pioneered efforts to institutionalize communication
education as an academic field of study. It was because of him that the development of the
field of communication studies into an established and institutionalized social science
discipline was realized. The Institute of Communication Research founded by Schramm in
Illinois in 1947 was the first communication science educational institution in the United
States. Meanwhile, two other figures, Claude E. Shannon and Norbert Wiener, are referred
to as "communication engineers".
The terms Mass Comunnication (Mass Communication) and Communication Research
(Communication research) began to be widely used. The field of communication studies
began to be described and divided into several fields levels, which include intrapersonal
communication, interpersonal communication, group and organizational communication,
macro-social communication and mass communication. Furthermore, in line with the
development activities that occur in all countries, including developing countries regarding
specific studies on the role and contribution of communication in the process of social
change, the diffusion of innovation, has also begun to be widely carried out.
F. PERIOD OF COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY: 1960s – NOW:
(Sendjaja, 2011) The development of communication science has become increasingly
complex and has led to specialization since the 1960s. Since 1950, according to Rogers
(1986) the development of communication studies as a discipline has begun to enter the take
off period. The rapid development of communication science at this time is reflected in
several institutional indicators, including:
1. The number of universities offering communication education programs is increasing and is
not only limited to developed countries such as the United States, but also to developing
countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa.
2. Professional associations in the field of communication are also growing in number and
scope of membership, both regionally and internationally.
3. The growing number of communication research and development centers.
In the scientific field, the progress of communication science is also reflected by:
1. There is an increasing amount of communication literature such as books/journals, scientific
or applied research results, monographs, and other forms of publications.
2. There is a growing diversity of specialized fields of study in communication.
3. There are more and more theories and models of communication produced by experts. As an
illustration, to date there are 126 definitions, about 50 theories and 28 communication
models.
The term for this time is the period of communication and information technology which
is characterized by several factors, namely:
1. Advances in communication and information technology such as computers, VCRs, Cable
TV, Parabolic dishes, Video home computers, communication satellites, teleprinters,
videotext, laser vision, and other remote communication tools.
2. The growth of the media industry is not only national, but also regional and global,
3. Dependence on the global/international economic and political situation, especially in the
context of the center and its periphery.
4. Increasingly vigorous economic development activities in all countries
5. The widespread process of democracy (liberalization) of the economy and politics. As a
result, many communication studies (especially in developed countries such as the US) tend
to focus on the process and social impact of the use of communication media technology,
regional and global information dissemination and concentration (e.g. transborder data
flow), political and economic aspects of information, competition between media, social
impact and interactive technologies such as computers, human-machine communication, the
impact of telecommunications on intercultural relations, and aspects related to information
management. The approach of economic disciplines began to be applied because it was
realized that information today is a commodity that has added value.
(Musfialdy, 2012) Organizational communication is heavily influenced by Frederick
Taylor's theory (management theory) and Max Weber's theory (bureaucracy theory) which
sees that communication in organizations is governed by clear standards. In the 1960s and
1970s, the view of the organization as a system developed, further developments in the
1980s confused people with rationality and objectivity in the view of the system from which
a cultural view emerged that saw in the organization there was history, values, rituals, and
behavior of organizational members.
Society is an organizational society, all humans are born in organizations, learn in
organizations and spend much of our lives working in organizations, Littlejohn (Musfialdy,
2012). Communication is the most frequent activity in organizations, which is 75%-95% of
all organizational activities. Of these activities can be detailed 5% for writing, 10% reading,
35% speaking and 50% listening.
The organizational communication is carried out within the framework: as much as 44%
for routine communication; 26% for HR development (human resources) including for
employee assessment, employee counseling, training, selection, employee promotion, etc.;
19% for traditional management such as supervision, giving instructions, reporting, etc.;
11% for net-working including coordinating with other departments, finding competitor
information, etc.. Therefore, the management of HR that is competent become requirement
in determining the success of the organization/company. Especially in the current era of the
Industrial Revolution 4.0 and digitalization which generally has four major challenges that
must be faced, namely, speed, chaos, change and flexibility (Febrianty et al., 2020).
Goldhaber added (Musfialdy, 2012), that every human being in relation to the
organization will be associated with a running show. The point is that humans cannot show
that they do not issue messages. In the office the message performance can be in the form of
memos, reports, speeches and balance sheets that can represent the ideas of the sender of the
message. Therefore, in interpreting messages there will be a process of transfer and
exchange of messages and this is where the cultural reality mentioned by subjectivists is
important. The existence of artifacts, gestures and actions will illustrate a meaning that
humans have through live performances.
G. IDENTITY CLASH: THE EMERGENCE OF ORGANIZATIONAL
COMMUNICATION AS A FIELD OF STUDY:
Charles Redding, Mcphee & Tompkins' article (Akhyar, 2017) discusses the historical
sequence of the journey of organizational communication study or research starting from the
roots of organizational communication theory identified in the following terminology:
1. Business English
2. English speech
3. Basic communication skills
4. Dale Carnegie Course
5. Industrial Psychology (1910-1940s)
6. Traditional management theory
7. Industrial journalism
8. Proto-human relations
The closest example of the first time the word Organizational Communication was
found was when HA Simon wrote in his book Administrative Behavior (1945) which
discussing about the organization communications system. Then Bavelas and Barrett (1951)
suggested that communication is the essence of organized activities and the basic process of
all functions. There are at least 3 dimensions: 1) message content; 2) technique and 3)
channel. The label organizational communication became significant in the 1960s. At that
time, the Conference on Organizational Communication was held in Alabama in 1967.
Charless Redding mentioned the development of 1942-1947 as Seminal Years. The
instrumental figure was Alexander R. Heron who first wrote "Sharing Information with
Employees" published by Stanford University Press in 1942. The influence of wartime
communication courses published in the Quarterly Journal of Speech included:
1. Speech Training of Army and Naval Officers (1943)
2. Public Speaking in the Army Training Program (1943)
3. Discussion Methods in War Industry (1945)
Later on, the influence of TWI (Training Within Industry) was discussed. The goal of
TWI was to train millions of workers in the war industry to be more productive and
efficient. In this period of crystallization (1948-1958) many publications were launched on
the topic of organizational communication. Then the start of a master's program with a
center of study in the field of speech. Then the emergence of doctoral studies in the same
field. At this time various concepts and discourses about communication have begun to
crystallize or narrow down.
H. MAPPING COMMUNICATION STUDIES APPROACHES ORGANIZATIONS:
Jablin & Putnam (Akhyar, 2017) mentioned that there are several schemes offered in the
mapping of organizational communication studies, including Allen, Gotcher and Seibert
with 17 work areas, namely:
1. Interpersonal relationship
2. Communication skills
3. Culture and symbolism
4. Information flows and channels
5. Power and influence
6. Decision making and problem solving
7. Communication network
8. Communication and management styles
9. Communication environment linkage
10. Technology
11. Language and message
12. Structure
13. Uncertainty and information quality
14. Group
15. Ethics
16. Intercultural
17. Climate
Of the many schemes, there are several references shown:
a. Topic-oriented preferences, i.e. assuming and reproducing a particular view of
communication and organization
b. Preference for data collection tools that shape the content of the study.
I. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION
STUDIES :
The development of the study of modern organizational communication has developed
very rapidly. Here are examples of some of the research, in 1950 the president and CEO of
100 major world companies formulated four major communication problems, Goldhaber
(Akhyar, 2017), namely:
a. The use of communication media that is considered insufficient
b. Lack of communication skills of the organization's personnel
c. Management does not want to provide information to subordinates (downward
communication)
d. Little opportunity for upward communication with management.
Then there are the results of a 1980 study conducted on large world organizations
regarding communication problems in organizations, namely:
a. Employees receive insufficient information about their tasks and the organization.
b. Management does not follow up on messages or feedback from employees
c. Message sent too fast or too slow
d. Issues or rumors that develop due to lack of openness and candor
e. Impersonal channels replace direct contact
f. Lack of employee input into decision-making
Therefore, improving organizational communication means improving the organization.
Failure to communicate (failure to communicate or communication breakdown) can be fatal
for the organization. Zelko (Goldhaber (Akhyar, 2017)) suggests organizational
communication as an interdependent system of both internal (upward, downward,
horizontal) and external (public relations, sales, advertising). Zelko and Dance suggested
several communication skills in business including: making speeches, listening,
interviewing, counseling, conferencing, selling and persuasion.
According to Thayer in Goldhaber (Akhyar, 2017) there are three kinds of
communication systems in organizations:
a. Operational communication, which is related to the tasks and data of the organization.
b. Regulatory, in the form of instructions or directives
c. Maintenance and development (PR, employee relations, advertisement, and
training)
Meanwhile, according to Greenbaum (Akhyar, 2017), communication is divided into
two forms, namely formal communication (according to structure and hierarchy), and
informal communication that is not structural. What is interesting is the discussion of Wiio's
Law. This concept was proposed by Professor Osmo Antero Wiio, a professor of economics
at the University of Helsinki, and also a member of the Finnish parliament. Wiio's Law
states that communication usually fails, except by accident. The full rule is as follows:
a. Communication usually fails, unless by accident.
b. If communication can fail, it will
c. If communication can't fail, it usually still fails a lot
d. If communication seems to be working in the desired way, there is a misunderstanding
e. If you are satisfied with your message, communication is bound to fail
f. If a message can be interpreted in multiple ways, it will be interpreted in a way that
maximizes damage.
g. There is always someone who knows better than you and what you mean by your message.
h. The more we communicate, the worse it gets. The more you communicate, the faster
misunderstandings spread
i. In mass communication, the important is not how things are but how they will be.
j. The importance of a news story is inversely proportional to the square of its distance.
k. The more important the situation, the more likely you are to forget something important that
you remembered a moment ago.
J. SUMMARY MATERIAL:
The speed of change in information affects the field of organizational communication. In
1800 communicating in organizations was different from 1900. The year 1900 was also
different in organizational communication from the year 2000. In this case this change is in
line with the introduction of humans with machines, TV, internet, smartphones, heavy
equipment, TV, Radio, E-mail, newspapers, facsimiles, satellites, etc. Communication in
organizations is seen as the glue of the organization or the blood of the organization.
Communication in organizations is seen as the glue of the organization or the blood of the
organization or the needle that embroiders the organizational system, Goldhaber (Akhyar,
2017).
Organizational communication has experienced a historical journey from time to time.
There are two discussions in the development of organizational communication. The first is
the period 1900-1970s and the second is the 1970s until now. The concept of organizational
communication is derived from the following three things Traditional rhetoric doctrine, Old
human relations theory and Various elements of organizational management theory.
Organizational communication is heavily influenced by Frederick Taylor's theory
(management theory) and Max Weber's theory (bureaucracy theory) which sees that
communication in organizations is governed by clear standards. The 1960s and 1970s
developed a view of the organization as a system, further development in the 1980s people
were confused with rationality and objectivity in the system view from here a cultural view
emerged that saw in the organization there was history, values, rituals, and behavior of
organizational members.
Society is a society of organizations, all humans are born in organizations, learn in
organizations and spend much of our lives working in organizations. Communication is the
most frequent activity in organizations, accounting for 75%-95% of all activities
organizational activities. These activities can be broken down into 5% writing, 10% reading,
35% speaking and 50% listening.
The organizational communication is carried out within the framework: as much as 44%
for routine communication; 26% for HR development (human resources) including for
employee assessment, employee counseling, training, selection, employee promotion, etc.;
19% for traditional management such as supervision, giving instructions, reporting, etc.;
11% for net-working including coordinating with other departments, finding competitor
information, etc. Therefore, the management of HR that is competent become requirement in
determining the success of the organization/company. Especially in the current era of the
Industrial Revolution 4.0 and digitalization which generally has four major challenges that
must be faced, namely, speed, chaos, change and flexibility.
TASKS AND EVALUATION:
1. Explain the role of media and information technology in influencing organizational
communication.
2. List 3 concepts of organizational communication according to Goldhaber and Barnet.
3. Name the classification of organizational communication research made by Tomplins.
4. Summarize the development of organizational communication science in the period of
rhetorical tradition, the growth period: 1900 - World War II, consolidation period: World
War II - 1960s, and communication technology period: 1960s - present.
5. List the problems of organizational communication according to the results of the 1980
study.
THE ROLE OF ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION
A. INTRODUCTION:
Regardless of the context and field, communication is a process that includes sending
and receiving messages and understanding messages conveyed through certain media. Some
communication activities carried out by message senders and message receivers are writing,
listening, speaking, and observing.
Organizational communication as a discipline is more than half a century old. Starting
from W. Charles Redding's article published in the journal The Speaker in 1937 with the title
"Speech and Human Relations", since then organizational communication began to be
studied academically. However, organizational communication as a discipline has gained
popularity since W. Charles Redding and George A. Sanborn published their collection of
articles entitled "Business and Industrial Communication: A Source Book" in 1964. In that
year, the themes of organizational communication were more widely studied. Because of his
services, W. Charles Redding was named the father of organizational communication
(Wrench, 2012: 35).
The components that support the communication process in general. The communication
components in question are the source (source/communicator), message (message content),
encoding (the process of creating a message in accordance with a certain code), channel
(communication channel/media), the process of using the code to interpret the message
(decoding), receiver/communicator (receiver), feedback (feedback), context (context),
interference/obstacles (noise), and effects. Organizational communication is important for
the progress and development of the organization, through good and effective
communication, the organization will avoid conflict and misunderstanding between
members / individuals and sections or divisions of the vision, mission and strategy and
action programs of the organization to achieve common goals.
B. COMMUNICATION RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ORGANIZATION :
The discussion of organizational communication science on the subject matter of the
form and role of communication that takes place in an organization, methods and
techniques, media, processes, inhibiting factors, communication ethics, and the development
of organizational communication in the era of the industrial revolution 4.0 / era society 5.0.
The relationship between communication concepts and organizations lies in the focus of
study on people who are in the organization and are involved in contributing to achieving
common / organizational goals. Effective communication is to make everyone in the
organization have the same perception and perspective in understanding and implementing
the vision and mission of the organization.
Communication as a process, communication occurs in various communication contexts,
namely interpersonal communication, interpersonal communication, group communication,
and mass communication. The scope of communication fields includes communication
management, political communication, educational communication, social communication,
organizational communication, business communication, marketing communication,
development communication, therapeutic communication in nursing, and others.
The core of an organization is leadership, leaders who are able to communicate well to
avoid conflict will succeed in building an effective group.
Good communication management is inseparable from communication ethics that are
upheld and agreed upon, so that there is no overlap and confusion in conveying the content
of the message / news. A good communicator should respect and appreciate each other.
Communication can be done directly or with gestures and movements. The way
organizations communicate verbally by speaking and listening, and non-verbally with body
language (gesture) and Image. How to communicate with colleagues and customers, viz:
having confidence, speaking effectively, mastering positive thinking, how to speak on the
phone, and using social media, as well as developing listening and reading skills.
Organizational communication is the sending and receiving of information/messages in
complex organizations. Internal communication, human relations, management union
relations, communication from superiors to subordinates (downward), communication from
subordinates to superiors (upward), horizontal communication or communication from
people of the same level in the organization, communication skills and speaking, listening,
writing and communication program evaluation.
Messages are part of the elements of communication. A message is something that the
communicator conveys to the communicant. The anatomy of the message or news includes
the form, meaning and presentation of the message described as follows:
Effective communication is a shared understanding between the person delivering the
message and the person receiving the message. Effective organizational communication is a
good communicator and communicant, obtaining the right information at the right time
(effective communication) organizational communication is the right people, getting the
right information, at the right time).
The main components that are important in communication organizations pay attention
to:
1. Language and words that are easy to understand.
2. Choice of the right time to deliver the message
3. Follow applicable ethics and norms
4. Be polite and well-mannered.
5. Where communication takes place.
6. To whom the communicator is.
The types of information and its flow differ at each level of management, namely:
1. Budget information and instructions from top management to middle management,
operational management, and operational personnel to serve customers and suppliers
2. Daily operation information from operational management and operational personnel
managing customers and suppliers.
3. Performance information from operational personnel to operational, middle, and top
management for reports to the organization's stakeholders.
Organizational communication activities in accordance with applicable communication
ethics. Ethics comes from the Greek ethos which is character, moral character or there is a
habit where ethics is closely related to the concept of individual or group as a means of
assessing the truth or evaluation of something that has been done. Etiquette is an attitude
such as manners or other rules that regulate the relationship between civilized human groups
in association. Formulate communication ethics by paying attention to Who, What, Where,
When, Why, and How. Organizational communication ethics are norms, values, or measures
of good behavior in communication activities between individuals, groups, or between
individuals and groups in an organization.
Organizations such as universities formulate the ethics of meeting with lecturers,
namely: 1. dress neatly, 2. use polite language, 3. say greetings, introduce yourself and your
status, explain briefly, 6. use the pronoun "I", pay attention to the time, 8. say thank you.
Inter-personal organizational communication are: 1. Oral communication (the main
means of communication) examples: speeches, discussions, informal rumors;
2. Written communication (communication in the form of writing/symbols) examples:
memo, fax, email, bulletin, chat; and 3. Non-verbal communication (complementary
communication) includes gestures, intonation, mimic, physical distance.
Communication plays a very important role in life in this world. There are many forms
of communication including:
1. Intrapersonal Communication-Communication with oneself. It involves thinking, and
speaking to oneself.
2. Communication Inter personal-Communication between people. This communication is
simply communication between two people.
3. Group Communication - Usually this concerns communication that occurs between small
groups. Examples: family, and neighbors.
4. Public Communication - Communication from one communicator to an audience. Examples:
tabligh akbar, speeches, lectures and public lectures.
5. Mass Communication - Communication that uses mass media such as radio, television,
magazines, newspapers and others.
Communication as a process of sending messages to achieve a common meaning
between the sender of the message and the recipient of the message using language through
the media. Communication is also defined as the process of conveying information from
communicators to communicants through certain media. Organizations include group
communication or involve more than one person. Organizational communication is a form
of corporate communication program, which is studied in the field of public relations. The
perpetrator of organizational communication is the organization as an institution. The
organization as a unity of parties who are heading towards certain communication targets
that are outside themselves. Organizational members interact or communicate with each
other, interactions that occur between members and leaders.
Organizational communication is the sending and receiving of various messages to
internal and external organizations in formal, and informal groups of an organization and
unofficial.
1. Formal communication channels;
Formal communication channels include the exchange of information such as organizational
goals, policies and procedures. Communication channels are approved by the organization
itself and are oriented towards the interests of the organization. It contains the way of
working within the organization, productivity, and the various jobs to be done in the
organization. Some of the most common examples of formal communication include
company business plans, strategies, goals, annual reports, agreements, company-wide
communications, safety guidelines and procedures, board presentations etc.
2. Informal communication channels
Informal communication channels are also used to convey official business messages but in
a more relaxed manner. Socially approved communication channels. The orientation is not
to the organization, but rather to its individual members. Some examples of informal
communication include workplace conversations addressing various issues that team
members may have, lunchtime conversations, and ongoing collaboration among team
members.
3. Unofficial communication channels
In addition to official communication channels, there are also unofficial communication
modes that are quite common in the work environment. Unofficial communication includes
employee communication outside the work environment on non-work related topics.
Organizational communication also involves dyadic communication, public
communication and also interpersonal communication. Communication according to
organizational structure, namely downward communication, upward communication, and
horizontal communication.
Communication has an important role in every life. With communication we can share
knowledge, interact, and establish a relationship. There is no one in this world who does not
communicate. Communication is not only with fellow humans. With animals it also includes
communication. The meaning of communication is so broad, because there is verbal and
non-verbal communication. Cues are included in communication. So there is no one in this
world who does not communicate.
Conrad in Tubbs and Moss (2005) identifies the functions of organizational
communication as follows:
1. The command function, relating to the right and obligation to discuss, receive, interpret and
act on an order.
2. Relational function, creating and maintaining personal relationships with other members of
the organization.
3. The ambiguous management function, deals with choices in organizational situations that
are often made under unclear circumstances.
Managers performing management functions require communication and
communication control to achieve organizational goals.
Internal organizational communication is the process of conveying messages between
members of the organization that occur for the benefit of the organization, such as
communication between leaders and subordinates, between fellow subordinates, and others.
1. Vertical communication, which is communication from top to bottom and from bottom to
top.
2. Horizontal or lateral communication, which is communication between people such as from
employees to employees, managers to managers. Messages in this communication can flow
within the same section of the organization or flow between sections. This lateral
communication facilitates the exchange of knowledge, experience, methods and problems.
External organizational communication is communication between organizational
leaders and audiences outside the organization.
1. Communication from the organization to the audience. This communication is carried out
generally informative, which is done in such a way that the audience feels involved, at least
there is a mental connection. This communication can take various forms, such as:
organizational magazines; press releases; newspaper or magazine articles; radio speeches;
documentary films; brochures; leaflets, posters; press conferences.
2. Communication from the audience to the organization. Communication from the audience to
the organization is feedback as an effect of the activities and communication carried out by
the organization.
The communication system in the organization is: 1. with regard to organizational work;
2. with regard to organizational arrangements such as orders, rules and instructions; 3. with
regard to organizational maintenance and development. This includes personal and
community relations, advertising and training.
Internal communication with external and perceive the role of communication primarily
as coordination of personal and organizational goals and the problem of activating activities.
The perception of organizational communication is:
1. Organizational communication occurs in a complex open system that is influenced by its
own environment both internal and external.
2. Organizational communication includes message and its flow, purpose, direction and
medium.
3. Organizational communication includes people and their attitudes, feelings, relationships
and skills.
The role of communicator, an organizational leader, manager, or administrator must
choose one of a variety of communication methods and techniques tailored to the situation at
the time of communication.
The leader spoke, making it clear, the importance of organizational communication to
achieve the organization's leadership objectives. Each level of management requires
information communication systems (messages) to carry out organizational activities
including: strategic planning, management planning, management control, and transaction
processing. Organizational activities carry out different organizational functions according
to power and authority in the areas of marketing, production/operations, logistics, finance,
accounting, and information technology.
Managers perform managerial functions of planning, organizing, actuating/leading, and
controlling in organizational communication as interpersonal, informational, decision
makers, coordinators, controllers, persuaders, and coaches.
The basic concept of organizational communication includes the following aspects:
1. Process; an organization is a dynamic open system that is a process of creating and
exchanging messages among its members.
2. Messages; Messages in organizations are meaningful arrangements of symbols about people,
objects, events generated by interactions with people.
3. Networks; Organizations consist of a group of people, each of whom occupies a specific
position or role in the organization. The creation and exchange of messages from these
people occurs through a pathway called a communication network.
4. State of Interdependence; The fourth key concept of organizational communication is the
state of interdependence of one part with another.
5. Relationships; The organization is an open system, a system of social life, so the functioning
of these parts lies in the hands of humans.
6. Environment; All the totality of physical and social factors that are taken into account in
making decisions about individuals in a system. This environment can be divided into
internal environment and external environment.
7. Uncertainty; The difference between available information and expected information.
8. Complexity; The organization involves at least two or more members who are divided into
units/departments according to their functions and fields.
C. COMMUNICATION BARRIERS ORGANIZATIONS:
One component of communication that can interfere with the communication process is
interference or noise. Interference or communication barriers is a term used to express
various disturbances and obstacles in communication between the communicator and the
communicator/receiver of the message. Communication can be said to be successful if the
message sent has little distortion. Interference or communication barriers can be physical,
psychological/human, cultural, linguistic, technical, information overflow, and literacy.
The following are some types of communication barriers that often occur, including:
1. Physical barriers occur when communicators cannot physically see communicants, due to
different locations.
2. Psychological/human barriers occur because individuals have differences in attitudes,
interests, and motivations which can make each individual see things differently. These
differences can create communication barriers.
3. Socio-cultural barriers occur because each individual has a different cultural background so
that it will be different when sending and receiving messages.
4. Linguistic barriers occur when in the process of communication we give inappropriate
expressions, inappropriate interpretations, use ambiguous words and use inappropriate
vocabulary.
5. Technical barriers occur when someone as a communicator uses technology to send a
message. Such as poor sound system, weak video signal, and telecommunication network
signal.
6. The information overflow barrier occurs when there is so much information available but the
person has limitations in absorbing the information.
7. Digital literacy barriers are knowledge and skills barriers to using digital media,
communication tools, or networks in finding, evaluating, using, creating information, and
utilizing it in a healthy, wise, intelligent, careful, precise, and law-abiding manner in order to
foster communication and interaction in everyday life.
Ways that can be done to remove communication barriers include:
1. Make it in writing; The first step to avoid communication barriers is to make notes. Take
notes of every conversation and see if there are any mistakes in the communication process.
This way, each party can see the facts and clarity that occurred in the communication
process.
2. Be aware of deadlines; Put in your calendar the deadlines required for a task or project.
Communicate this notice to all team members and make sure everyone is aware of the
deadline. This is the way to remove the second communication barrier.
3. Listen to others; Eliminate your own perceptions, thoughts or feelings. This will only lead
you to anger, disappointment and even stress. Try to listen more to what someone is saying.
Pay attention to the words and intentions of the person. If you are not clear, ask the person to
clarify. Start listening to others. Try to understand the issue at hand and position yourself not
just from one side. This may not make you comfortable, but it's a great way to remove
communication barriers.
4. Focus more on the goal, task or project at hand; The next step to removing communication
barriers is to set clear goals for the team. Determine This will be a strong foundation for the
task, so there will be no miscommunication or overlapping work. Make a plan that includes
goals, steps to be taken and the person responsible for the task. This keeps everyone focused
and knows who to go to if they need something. If you apply this repeatedly when
communication barriers arise, planning will get you through them with ease. Those 'made-
up' thoughts and feelings will also disappear. There is no more room for individual
interpretations and perceptions.
5. Attend training; Poor communication will have a negative impact on your work. However,
having communication skills is not something that can be done in a flash. You need to be
committed, a leader and have a clear plan. So, try to join a communication training that will
give you the knowledge of removing communication barriers. Involve other team members
in the training as well. This way, everyone will have the opportunity to improve or even
enhance their communication skills.
6. Hold face-to-face meetings; The next way to remove communication barriers is to hold face-
to-face meetings. These face-to-face meetings are a way to ensure that everyone in the team
has understood the goal at hand. It also allows the team to look at the problem and find a
way to solve it.
7. Remove hierarchical barriers; Don't be afraid to challenge the traditional ideas of the
organization. Eliminate hierarchical barriers that often become communication barriers. As a
leader, you must make every team member feel that their voice is heard too. Create an open
forum that allows everyone to express their opinions and ideas for the organization
regardless of their title. Here's how to foster open communication and remove
communication barriers.
8. Establish proactive communication as a priority; The next step to removing communication
barriers is to establish proactive communication and make it a priority. If there is a failure,
the cause is communication. If you build proactive communication, everyone will have the
opportunity to share their ideas. And when your team is faced with a problem, you and your
team will be able to find a solution to overcome it.
9. Learn from past communication failures; When you encounter a failure, you will know
where the miscommunication was and how to overcome it. This will serve as a warning sign
for you in the future. Learn from past experiences and use them as tools that can help you
remove communication barriers in the future. (https://www.studilmu.com/blogs/details/9-
cara-menghilangkan- communication-barriers).
D. ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION COMPETENCIES IN THE DIGITAL
ERA:
Utilizing digital communication technology, every organization needs to equip itself
with communication competency. This competency is very necessary considering that
communication problems from day to day are increasingly complex, so that every
organization in the digital era needs to have sufficient communication skills to be able to
exist. (Suwatno, 2018)
Stephen Littlejohn and David Jabusch (1982) define communication competence as the
ability and willingness of each individual to participate in a communication activity to
produce maximum meaning. The definition not only requires knowledge of appropriate
behavior, but also requires motivation to carry out communication activities that produce
mutual understanding.
Meanwhile, Fred Jablin and Patricia Sias (2001) say that the concept of communication
competence must be understood through an ecological model consisting of 4 systems,
namely:
1. Microsystem, which consists of the members of the organization and other people who are in
close proximity to the work environment (e.g. supervisors, co-workers and clients).
2. The mesosystem, which represents the inter-relationships between existing microsystems
(e.g., what an individual learns from the project implementation team may affect his
competence in the functional work group of which he is a member).
3. Macrosystem, which does not represent the immediate context in which the individual
works, but directly or indirectly influences (e.g., the major divisions of an organization or
the organization as a whole).
4. Exosystem, which represents the overall cultural belief system, knowledge, social,
technological and political ideologies.
Communication competence must be possessed by every individual in the organization
comprehensively and holistically, from the microsystem to the exosystem level, and not only
at the internal level but also externally. For this reason, the organization must be able to
solve internal organizational communication problems both in the formal context
(horizontal, vertical and diagonal) and in the informal context (grapevine). In addition, the
organization must also have the competence to overcome the problems of external
communication of the organization, especially those related to marketing and public
relations.
Communication competencies that are holistic and comprehensive are currently needed
by organizations because problems and potential organizational crises can occur at various
levels, both at the micro, meso, macro and exo levels. In the context of digital
communication, the organization's inability to manage digital communication can have a
rapid impact on various levels of the existing system. This is because digital communication
has a very fast way of working, so that an issue that is not managed properly will become a
wild ball that is destructive.
If the communication competence of each individual in the organization can be managed
effectively, then the changes that occur in the realm of digital technology can be adapted
properly. So that digitalization in organizational communication is not deconstructive but
constructive.
E. SUMMARY MATERIAL:
The role of organizational communication according to authority in the management
level interacts internally and externally to the organization. Organizational communication
includes formal, informal, and unofficial forms of group communication. The essence of
organizational communication is the transmission of information (messages) to achieve
organizational goals.
Communication competence must be possessed by every individual in the organization
comprehensively and holistically, from the microsystem to the exosystem level, and not only
at the internal level but also externally. For this reason, the organization must be able to
solve internal organizational communication problems both in the formal context
(horizontal, vertical and diagonal) and in the informal context (grapevine). In addition, the
organization must also have the competence to overcome the problems of external
communication of the organization, especially those related to marketing and public
relations.
TASKS AND EVALUATION
1. Explain the definition of organizational communication?
2. How does communication relate to organizations?
3. Describe the barriers to communication and how to overcome them?
4. How does information technology affect organizational communication?
5. What is the role of organizational communication for organizational progress?
