Friday, 2 January 2015

IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION - COMMUNICATION THEORY



IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION
BY
SMART LEARNING WAY

CONTENTS

Introduction
Meaning
Definition
Features
Importance
Advantages
Disadvantages
Conclusion

Introduction

Management is the art of getting things done through others A manager passes messages or orders to subordinates or employees and inform them about the work to be executed and the subordinates execute orders and inform the manager about the same. Such an exchange of messages is known as communication.  

The ordinary sense of communication is that, one person passes clear information to another person so that the latter understands the objective of the communicator and acts on it.

In modern times, so many speedy tools of communication are available. These tools include fax machines, computers, internet, mobile phones and SMS (Short Message Service) Facility.

All functions of management such as planning, organizing, staffing, leading, controlling etc. depend on Communication. 

Today communication has became an essential part of management.

Meaning

Communication is a mean of linking people to achieve a common purpose by transferring information from one person to the other. 

It includes  not only transfer of Information but also transfer of understanding. The information has to be understood  in the same way it is intended by the Sender of information. 

The top managers transmit information regarding objective and plans to the lower level managers who try to understand them in their right meaning and devise appropriate ways to achieve those objective in accordance with the plans.

The transfer of information and the transfer of understanding to interpret that information in its right meaning draws out a clear distinction between efficient and effective communication.

Definition

According to Koontz and Weihrich:

   “Communication is the transfer of information from a sender to a receiver, with the information being understood by the receiver.”
According to Newman and Summer:

   “Communication is an exchange of facts, ideas, opinions or emotions by two or more persons.”
According to Stoner and Wankel:

   “Communication is the transfer of information, ideas, understanding or feelings between people.”

But in simple words if we say…

   “Communication means exchanging information among individuals working in any organization.”


FEATURES OF COMMUNICATION

1. Goal-oriented Activity:

 Its aim is not to convey or receive information only. Rather its purpose is to realize the basic objectives of the business unit.  Communication is indispensable for realization of objectives.

2. Two-way process:

Communication is a two way process. It includes both the acts of giving and receiving information. The manager after issuing orders, try to know the reaction of the subordinates and also whether they have fully understood the orders or not.

3. Internal process:

Communication is internal to the organization in the sense that it is confined  to only members to the organization who use it.

4. Perpetual process:

Communication is a perpetual process. The exchange of views and opinions goes on continuously among the employees of a business enterprise. Communication begins as a business is launched and it ends only when the business is wound up.

IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION

The implementation of policies and programmers of management is possible only through effective communication. We can understand the importance of communication from the following point :

1.) Smooth running of the enterprise:

The management may have best planning, the most efficient personnel, but unless the policies and decisions are effectively communicated to the personnel, the business cannot succeed.

Effective communication is essential for motivating the employees. Even when two persons are working each must understand what other is trying to do and how. They may talk to each other, write to each other or make signs with hands. Any how they must get their ideas conveyed from one to the other.

The smooth running of the organization depends on an effective  system of communication. If there is communication gap then it can hamper the business activities.

2.) Maximum productivity:   

Effective Communication of policies and decisions to those who are to put them into action results in accurate and efficient performance.

Good communication results into increased productivity and production. Communication as an influence process plays a vital role in any organization.

3.) Assists other functions:

Communication helps other functions of management like planning, co-ordination etc. Top officials and lower level personnel communicate their ideas and suggestions on the formulation of a plan. In the words of Mary Cushing Niles, “Good communications are essential to co-ordination”. 

4.) Job satisfaction:

good communication promotes mutual understanding and this leads to job satisfaction among employees. Their complaints and grievances are brought to the notice of the top officials. This helps in developing good employer- employee relationship.

5.) Basis of leadership:

 it is impossible to think of leadership in the absence of effective communication between the leader and his followers. For leadership to exist a two-way communication establishing close relations between person is essential. The efficacy of leadership depends on unambiguous and comprehensive system of communication.   

6.) Establishment of Human Relations: 

            According to Robert D. Berth, “Human relations are impossible without Communication and communication is impossible without human relations.” Importance of human approach has been accepted almost commonly at present.  The views and opinions of the mangers are to be conveyed to the employees and the beliefs and complaints of the employees in turn are to be received by the manager. This is how a sound human relation gets established through communication.


Advantages

1.) Speedy flow:
The flow of communication should be speedy to reduce its cost. More the speed, more will be the value and the effectiveness of such information.

2.) Clear words and Language:
The words and language in communication should not be unclear or ambiguous.

3.) Flexibility:
 An effective communication system should be flexible. Flexible to adopt the environmental changes.

4.) Proper co-ordination :
An effective communication maintains proper co-ordination between informal communication systems.
5.)A leadership quality :
 An effective communication is the basic requirement of good leadership.     

Disadvantages

1.) Lack of planning :
Clear and effective communication is not possible without planning. Many a times the employees send unclear information without any planning or thought, leading to chaos.

2.) Faulty Translation :
At times, the middle order management gets nothings and messages from the top. Such nothing may not be in the vernacular and it is interpreted, translated and sent to the lower level. Here the purpose of communication fails because of errors in interpretation and translation.

3.) Badly Expressed Messages :
Many times, there is no uniformity in the messages. Important matters may be illegible or unclear and there may be errors or confusion in the formation of words and sentences.

4.) Unclarified Assumptions :
Many messages depend upon guess work and assumptions. If these are not clarified while transmitting messages they lose their meaning and importance.

5.) Poor listening and premature evaluation :
“Listeners are more but attentive listeners are few.” due to indifferent listening, complete information is not comprehended. Analysis and evaluation based on incomplete facts leads to wrong decision.     

Conclusion

   Communication is very important in every place of business. Communication is exchanging  information among individuals working in any organization. Communication is the process of passing information and understanding from one person to another. At every place of business and firm where there is large production and various departments, communication is of very much help in getting maximum production, increasing business and building good relationship between all in the company. Thus, communication plays vital role in all areas of management and business.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Managerial Communication

                        By Urmila Rai & S.M. Rai

Communication Today

                        By Reuben Ray

  Communication 

                        By Dr. C.S. Rayudu

 




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