Effective Communication Strategies in Modern Organisations Assignment

This homework assignment delves into the multifaceted realm of organisational communication, exploring its definition, processes, objectives, and various methods and types. It examines communication channels and the barriers that can impede effective information exchange within organisations. The assignment provides detailed answers on communication theories, including the Shannon and Weaver model and Semiotic Theory, providing a comprehensive understanding of how messages are sent, received, and interpreted. Furthermore, it analyses the importance of group dynamics, the stages of team development, and factors affecting team effectiveness, such as cohesiveness, groupthink, and the impact of norms. Overall, the document aims to provide a holistic view of communication's role in shaping organisational behaviour and success.

Running head: COMMUNICATION
Communication
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Answer 1
Communication in the organisation refers to the activity of sending and receiving
messages among the employees of the organisation for achieving the common goals. This is
based upon the purpose of building relationship and conducting interactions among the internal
and external stakeholders. The communication process consists of 8 elements, namely, sender,
encoding, message, channel, decoding, receiver, noise and the feedback. The objectives of the
organisational communication includes exchanging information, plan development and
implementation, facilitation of the policy formulation, achievement of organisational goals,
establishing internal coordination, directing the subordinates, motivating the employees, creating
consciousness and increasing efficiency of the employees. Communication methods are of
various types, such as, written, verbal, non-verbal, and visual. Types of communication are
formal and informal, and, horizontal and vertical. The communication channels are electronic
mediums, written medium, face-to-face, mobile phones, media etc. The individual and
organisational barriers to communication include the semantic, psychological, organisational,
and personal. An effective organisational communication should be implemented for having a
systematic and easy to understand organisational process for the employees to increase their
productivity.
Answer 2
Shannon and Weaver model of communication (process theory) explains the basic mode
of organisational communication. It consists of 6 elements, namely, Sender or information
source, Encoder or Transmitter, Channel, Decoder (Receiver), Receiver (Destination) and Noise.
The authors explained that the elements of the process are interconnected through the channels of

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communication. The sender creates the message, selects the appropriate channel and sends the
message to the encoder. The encoder converts the message into machine language and sends
through another channel. The first receiver is the decoder who decodes the machine language to
make it understandable for the end receivers. Sometimes, the receptor machines also work as
decoder. The physical disturbances like the people, environment, technical glitches that do not let
the message delivered to the recipients as it was are known as noise. These can cause problems
in effective communication.
Semiotic Theory (study of signs) is another organisational communication theory which
is based on the signs and sign-using behaviour. This theory mainly consists of elements of non-
verbal communication, such as, icons, symbols, index etc. For example, traffic lights, sign of
smoke or fire, signs for restrooms, elevator, stairs, are used to deliver relevant messages to the
recipients. In an organisation, various signs are used for communication, such as, during
meetings or presentations, many important information or messages are conveyed through signs.
Answer 3
Group dynamics is an important aspect in the organisational behaviour and
communication. When two or more people come together for a purpose and with common
interest, it is known as a group or team. There are five stages of team development, namely,
forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning. An effective team performance is
dependent on cohesiveness, groupthinking and group’s productivity. Informal, formal and
interpersonal norms are followed for efficient functioning. Many factors affect the effectiveness
of the organisational teams and communication, such as, autonomy, team composition,

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environmental factors, internal and external process and functions, psychology of the team
members, and structure of the organisation.