Question

Explain any two organizational barriers to communication.

Discuss organisational barriers to communication.

“There are some barriers to communication which are concerned with organisational structure and rules and regulations”. State such barriers.

Answer 1

Organizational barriers to communication are:

1. Hierarchical Structure: Communication in organizations with fixed hierarchies frequently passes via multiple levels of authority. This can cause delays, distortion, or even loss of critical information as it passes up or down the chain of command. For example, messages from lower-level employees may not reach upper management, or vice versa, due to intermediates' screening.
2. Information Overload: When employees or managers get filled with too much information, they struggle to understand it all properly. Important messages may be missed or mistaken, resulting in poor decisions or delayed actions. This barrier is frequent in organizations with a large flow of email, meetings, and reports.
3. Organisational policy: If the policies of an organisation do not encourage the free flow of information and ideas, then it is likely that communication will become restricted. As an illustration, subordinates in an organisation that is highly centralised are hesitant to communicate with their superiors.
4. Rules and regulations: Rigid rules and procedures can prevent effective communication. Communication through the prescribed routes may be delayed. Effective communication requires proper organisational facilities such as a suggestion box, complaint box, regular meetings, social gatherings, and operational openness.
5. Status: A high level of superiority might generate a psychological distancing. A status-conscious manager may inhibit subordinates from expressing their emotions freely.