Communication

Comparison Between Upward and Downward Communication
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Correlation Between Upward and Downward Communication
Upward communication is when the information within an organization flows from the junior employees to the top-level management (Lunenburg, 2010). This mode of communication usually enables the junior employees to be able to air their opinions, grievances or ideas to the top management. It requires a free environment where the employees are granted a say in the company management. Since the information flows from the subordinates to the senior management, it helps increase acceptance of the decisions made by the administration (Kato, Numagami, Karube & Sasaki, 2013). In this communication style, information can be transmitted either via through oral media where employer and employee meet open door policy or grievance procedure. Moreover, it can also be conducted through written media whereby suggestions, complaints, reports, and letters are sent to the top management (Lunenburg, 2010). However, this communication style may suffer due to long chains of command; management may fear criticism; and low confidence in the top management.
On the other hand, downward communication entails the transfer of information and messages from the senior management to the junior employees. In this case, the top management initiates the communication, to assign responsibilities, convey instructions, orders or warnings to the junior employees in the company (“Downward Communication Dynamics in Organizations,” 2018).

This mode of communication helps the management in conveying the mission, vision, objectives, goals, procedures, and policies of the company. It can be done either through written or oral media (“Downward Communication Dynamics in Organizations,” 2018). However, there are various shortcomings such as message filtration and distortion, the reliability of sources, confusion and misunderstanding, overload of messages, and unclear messages (“Downward Communication Dynamics in Organizations,” 2018).
There exist some significant barriers that may hinder upward communication. In this case, there may be filtering of information when the messages are passed through an intermediary. Filtering usually alters the original information thus limit its effectiveness and may make it incomprehensible (Green & Knippen, 1999). Communication mediums can also cripple upward communication, and this may be due to the top management using various communication channels that may not be accessible to the junior employees. Whenever the communication mediums are inappropriate, confusion is likely to be encountered for those people getting the messages (Green & Knippen, 1999). The cultural difference also has an impact on the language that may be used in upward channels. This may be common in multinational companies since they have a diverse workforce. In this case, the company may be required to hire managers that are familiar with cultural difference and may help translate the information to the other top-level managers.

References
Downward Communication Dynamics in Organizations. (2018). Retrieved from http://www.people-communicating.com/downward-communication.htmlGreen, T. B., & Knippen, J. T. (1999). Breaking the barrier to upward communication: Strategies and skills for employees, managers, and HR specialists. Westport, Conn: Quorum Books.
Kato, T., Numagami, T., Karube, M., & Sasaki, M. (2013). Types of Upward Communication and Organizational Characteristics in Japanese Firms. Hitotsubashi journal of commerce and management, 1-16.
Lunenburg, F. C. (2010). Formal communication channels: Upward, downward, horizontal, and external. Focus on Colleges, Universities, and Schools, 4(1), 1-7.