Formal and Informal Modes of Communication and Organizational Culture

Running head: 601
601
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

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Table of Contents
Part 1..........................................................................................................................................2
Answer to Question 1.................................................................................................................2
a. Formal and Informal Modes of Communication....................................................................2
b. Three Examples of Formal Communication..........................................................................3
Answer to Question 2.................................................................................................................3
a. Organizational Culture...........................................................................................................3
b. Applying the Cultural Components to the Chosen Organization...........................................4
c. Impact of Country Culture in terms of Work Ethic and General Work Behaviour...............5
d. Recommendations of How the Organizations can Demonstrate Culture in Daily Activities 5
Part 11........................................................................................................................................6
a. Key Strengths in:....................................................................................................................6
b. Improvements in:...................................................................................................................6
c. Action Plan for Undertaking Improvements:.........................................................................7
References:.................................................................................................................................8

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Part 1
Answer to Question 1
a. Formal and Informal Modes of Communication
Formal
 Upward: Upward communication refers to the procedure of information flow from
lower levels of hierarchy to upper levels (Koc, 2013). This mode of communication is
becoming increasingly popular in organizations.
 Downward: Downward communication takes place when messages and information
flows down via a formal chain of hierarchical structure or command of an
organization (Spaho, 2013). The orders and the messages start at upper levels of the
hierarchy of an organization and then move towards the bottom.
 Horizontal: The horizontal communication refers to transmission of necessary
information between the divisions, people, units and the various departments
belonging to same level of organizational hierarchy (Harper, 2015).
 Diagonal: This is also referred as the cross functional communication between the
employees belonging to the different organizational hierarchy levels (Nwogbaga,
Nwankwo & Onwa, 2015). Diagonal communication is becoming quite popular in the
larger organizations having project based or matrix structures.
Informal
 Grapevine: This is a type of communication represents an unofficial, informal and
personal system or channel of communication taking place within an organization due

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to prevalence of a gossip or rumour (Singh, 2013). This represents a complex flow of
oral information web that enables linking all members belonging to the organization.
This mode of communication however does not have a specific direction or pattern
and is therefore horizontal by nature.
b. Three Examples of Formal Communication
1. Meetings: Unscheduled meetings taking place within the premises of the firm and
mostly related to the work are usually formal
2. Legal or Commercial Notices: This also represents an example of formal
communication since they have commercial or legal relevance.
3. Publications: Company information published as a wide distribution in the form of
blog entry, white paper and press release is also an example of formal communication
Two Example of Informal Communication
1. Rumours related to restructuring that spreads to every member of the firm before
being announced officially is an example of informal communication
2. Influence based on the social connections in opposition to the proposed structures
of authority of the organization (Krackhardt, 2014). For instance, a manager might possess
greater power compared to most of the executives of a firm as a result of the influencing
skills and social network can be represented as an example of informal communication.