...------------------------------------------------- Informal organization The informal organization is the interlocking social structure that governs how people work together in practice. It is the aggregate of, norms, personal and professional connections through which work gets done and relationships are built among people who share a common organizational affiliation or cluster of affiliations. It consists of a dynamic set of personal relationships, social networks, communities of common interest, and emotional sources of motivation. The informal organization evolves, and the complex social dynamics of its members. Tended effectively, the informal organization complements the more explicit structures, plans, and processes of the formal organization: it can accelerate and enhance responses to unanticipated events, foster innovation, enable people to solve problems that require collaboration across boundaries, and create footpaths showing where the formal organization may someday need to pave a way. Contents * 1 The informal organization and the formal organization * 2 Functions of informal organizations * 2.1 Perpetuate the cultural and social values * 2.2 Provide social status and satisfaction * 2.3 Promote communication among members * 2.4 Provide social control * 3 Disadvantages of informal groups * 3.1 Resistance to change * 3.2 Role conflict * 3.3 Rumor * 3.4 Conformity * 4 Benefits of the informal organization * 4.1 Blend...
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...organization communication ranges from completing a task or mission to creating and maintaining satisfying human relationships within the organization. The structure of an organization is determined in part by the network of channels or paths along which information must flow between members or sub-units within the organization. Communication networks in government organization In the past, the concern of management of large bureaucratic structure such as government organization, in which the major focus of the organizational communication literature, was formal and top-down communication. The government needs systems for controlling the flow of information in order to balance the structure. Today, informal communication in which is generally associated with interpersonal, horizontal communication is primarily seen as a potential contribution to effective organizational performance. On-going, dynamic, and non-formal, if not informal, communication has become more important to ensuring the effective conduct of work in modern government organizations. [pic] Creating a climate of formal and informal communication Communication climate can be defined as the internal environment of information exchange among people through an organization's formal and informal networks. Communication climate is open when information flows freely and closed when information is blocked. Open...
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...along with changes of the world’s societies, have created new layers and augmented old layers within the formal communication networks of business. Formal communication networks are a flow of information and ideas through the command hierarchy of a business. On the other hand, informal communication networks also exist and ironically have become major sources of business communication. This happened with the advent of social media, increased reliance on technology and the inherent limitations of the formal communication networks. Within these communication networks are the actual flow of the ideas and information. Successful business is based on healthy communication and a large part of that is the flow of info and ideas between the top of the food chain down, then back up. This flow has many directions, with the main flows being upward-flowing and downward-flowing. Upward-flowing communication flows from employees to executives, providing insight into problems, trends, opportunities, grievances, and performance- thus allowing executives to solve problems and make intelligent decisions (pg.8). The upward flow can exist within formal or informal communication networks. In the current business world, a savvy group of executives should be aware of this dual existence. To better their business performance, executives should monitor informal communication and welcome formal communication. Just as feedback from customers is vital to the success of a business, so is the upward...
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...Communication Networks: Formal vs. Informal Communication Communication skills are essential for everyone in the business organization whether it is for business executives, sales employees or even labor workers. An example would be how sales representatives of the company are required be eloquent and persuasive speakers in order for them to be able to sell the products or how labor workers in the chemical factory also need to communicate effectively in order to avoid delay in production or conflicts or how business executives are able to convey their visions and delegate tasks to their subordinates. However, to reach optimal effectiveness in communication, simply having leaders or employees with good communication skills are not sufficient for business to succeed as it only accounts for small degree of communication effectiveness. Organization needs to develop effective communication networks for employers and employees to communicate throughout the organization structure. To be more specific, it is how organization improves the communication flow within and across each business departments. Communication networks are categorized into two categories: Formal and Informal Communication Networks. However the question remains whether which types of communication networks are more effective. Formal Communication The best way to describe formal communication networks is what is known as organizational chart. It is simply a system designed by management to dictate how communication...
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...significance and relevance of communication networks in your organization By Sylvia Zvavamwe Communication maintains and sustains relationships in an organization regardless of the type of the organization. How people in an organization communicate with each other determines or shows how satisfied they are with each other’s work. An organizational communication address how information circulates among employees and this circulation of information occurs through formal and informal communication networks. According to Fielding (1993), networks are “the interconnecting lines of communication used to pass information from one person or one section to another”. Networks ensure that information in an organization does not flow randomly, but, follow set up channels. Formal communication network include vertical, lateral and diagonal communication whereas, informal communication includes grapevine and bypassing networks. This essay is going to illustrate the significance and relevance of these formal and informal communication networks at the University of Zimbabwe. Formal communication network is whereby communication follows the hierarchical structure of the organization or the chain of command (Richmond 2005). According to Evans (1984) formal communication is applied to those communications which are routed through what have been called ‘official channels’. These definitions imply that formal communication is observed through formal organizational structures. For example...
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...The word ‘Communication’ has been derived from the Latin word ‘Communis’ which means ‘Common’. Thus ‘Communication’, strictly, stands for sharing of ideas in common. The term ‘Communication’ has many and varied meanings. Popularly speaking, it may refer to the various means or media of transmitting information from one individual to another from one place to another, e.g., telephone telegraph or television. According to some, it primarily concerned with the transmission of information in a governmental organisation e.g., grapevine, the complaint box, the grievance procedure or the formal chain of command. But the concept of communication with which we are primarily concerned is that it is the act of inducing others to interpret an idea in the manner intended by the speaker of writer. If one person speaks or writes something which is not understandable to others, it is no communication. In short, the entire concept of ‘Communication’ in administration includes: 1. Transmission of information, order and instructions from the top administrator to the middle level administrator and down to the ordinary employees. 2. Transmission of reports, ideas, suggestions, complaints, grievances from the lower cadre employees to the top administration. 3. Cross communication between management groups and the worker groups. 4. Communication to the employees or the administration through extra-administration agencies such as union or other interest groups. Herrbert A Simon...
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...this paper is to examine the social networks of survivors of domestic violence (DV) and intimate partner violence (IPV). The differences between their informal and formal social networks will be defined and closely examined, as well as how each network impacts the lives of the survivors. The uses of both their formal and informal networks, and the reasons for which the networks are used will be examined. The topic of isolation by the partner of the survivor will be explored. Finally, the topic of measures that could be changed within communities that could possibly assist survivors and their respective networks overcome obstacles will be explored. Clearly, domestic violence and intimate partner violence, that is physical, psychological,...
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...instructions and even emotions. Communication Network in Business organization A communication network refers to how information flows within the organization. Information within an organization generally flows through a system, rather than being a free flow. In the words of Adler, “Communication networks are regular patterns of person-to-person relationships through which information flows in an organization.” This means that the flow of information is managed, regulated. and structured. Communication networks may be formal or informal. We will deal with each of these in some detail. Formal Communication Network – A formal communication network is one which is created by management and described with the help of an organizational chart. An organizational chart specifies the hierarchy and the reporting system in the organization. Therefore, in a formal network, information is passed on only through official channels such as memos, bulletins and intranet (email within the organization). The organizational chart implies that information can flow in any of three directions – vertically, i.e., upward or downward, and horizontally. The forms of formal communication are as under: (i) Departmental meetings, (ii) Conference, (iii) Telephone calls, (iv) Company news bulletins, (v) Special interviews and special purpose publications and messages. Advantage of formal communication; The main advantage of the formal communication is that the official channels enable...
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...The word ‘Communication’ has been derived from the Latin word ‘Communis’ which means ‘Common’. Thus ‘Communication’, strictly, stands for sharing of ideas in common. The term ‘Communication’ has many and varied meanings. Popularly speaking, it may refer to the various means or media of transmitting information from one individual to another from one place to another, e.g., telephone telegraph or television. According to some, it primarily concerned with the transmission of information in a governmental organisation e.g., grapevine, the complaint box, the grievance procedure or the formal chain of command. But the concept of communication with which we are primarily concerned is that it is the act of inducing others to interpret an idea in the manner intended by the speaker of writer. If one person speaks or writes something which is not understandable to others, it is no communication. In short, the entire concept of ‘Communication’ in administration includes: 1. Transmission of information, order and instructions from the top administrator to the middle level administrator and down to the ordinary employees. 2. Transmission of reports, ideas, suggestions, complaints, grievances from the lower cadre employees to the top administration. 3. Cross communication between management groups and the worker groups. 4. Communication to the employees or the administration through extra-administration agencies such as union or other interest groups. Herrbert A Simon...
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...Informal Networks: The Company Behind the Chart by David Krackhardt and Jeff Hanson Harvard Business Review Reprint 93406 This document is authorized for use only in SP 2016 B66 OB 565 Leading Change by Ray Sparrowe, Olin Business School from December 2015 to June 2016. This document is authorized for use only in SP 2016 B66 OB 565 Leading Change by Ray Sparrowe, Olin Business School from December 2015 to June 2016. HarvardBusinessReview JULY-AUGUST 1993 Reprint Number RICHARD NORMANN AND RAFAEL RAMIREZ FROM VALUE CHAIN TO VALUE CONSTELLATION: DESIGNING INTERACTIVE STRATEGY 93408 DAVID A. GARVIN BUILDING A LEARNING ORGANIZATION 93402 GEORGE STALK, JR. AND ALAN M. WEBBER JAPAN’S DARK SIDE OF TIME 93409 DAVID KRACKHARDT AND JEFF HANSON INFORMAL NETWORKS: THE COMPANY BEHIND THE CHART 93406 BARBARA PRESLEY NOBLE REINVENTING LABOR: AN INTERVIEW WITH UNION PRESIDENT LYNN WILLIAMS 93410 ROBERT KELLEY AND JANET CAPLAN HOW BELL LABS CREATES STAR PERFORMERS 93405 HBR CASE STUDY IS THIS THE RIGHT TIME TO COME OUT? 93411 WORLD VIEW MANAGING RISKS IN MEXICO 93403 JOSEPH M. JURAN FIRST PERSON MADE IN U.S.A.: A RENAISSANCE IN QUALITY 93404 NANCY A. NICHOLS IN QUESTION WHATEVER HAPPENED TO ROSIE THE RIVETER? 93407 PERSPECTIVES IS THE DEFICIT A FRIENDLY GIANT AFTER ALL? 93401 ALISTAIR D. WILLIAMSON LAURENCE HECHT AND PETER MORICI This document is authorized for use...
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...section, and ordering supplies. Communication between the owners is very informal. Change Companies have two networks of communication: formal, and informal. Formal communication, typically from top management down, conveys operation requirement such as policy, schedules, procedures, coordination, and is one-way. Informal communication takes place when information is interactive, happening (occurring in the now), and provides feedback. Sundown Bakery’s informal communication network worked well for the small shop operation. Making the transition from a close and friendly working environment to a structured and formal environment caused growing pains for Sundown Bakery. The operation has undergone a major change – from simplicity to complexity. Change is not always welcome and rarely easy. Change Demand for Sundown Bakery baked products increased and the decision to grow or continue with the current operation had arisen. The owners decided to grow; with growth came diversity: The first employees of Sundown Bakery were El Salvadorian, Korean, and French Canadian. Within one year, the bakery expanded in size, now operating in five locations. This expansion required the need of coordination between five locations and employees. To meet this change, Sundown Bakery hired an operations manager and employees. Informal to Formal As Sundown grew, its communication network changed from informal to formal. The days of a single shop and close employee input were gone. Sundown...
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...extent to bring about social change will actualize their potential for mobilization at the highest level of involvement. Individual effectiveness is also one of the perceptions of the model that is most influenced by social networks, directly but also indirectly via interest in the political issue and the perception of the organization’s effectiveness . This last result highlights the close interweaving between social ties and individual effectiveness. In other words, it stresses the interconnectedness of relational factors and human agency, and demonstrates that both structuralist and rationalist accounts are indispensable to explanation of individual participation. Conclusion Social networks matter, but they do so by performing various functions in the process of individual participation. They intervene at least three different ways. First, they intervene in the socialization and construction of identities. In this function, networks yield structures of meaning that enable individuals to create (or to solidify) identities and to establish cultural proximity with a specific political contention, usually in the long run. Here networks create an initial disposition to participate by developing specific meaning structures. As we have seen, only social networks...
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...organization: Formal Communication system and Informal Communication system. Formal communication is typified by the formal organization chart, which is created by management to defined individual and group relationships and to identify clearly the lines of responsibility. (Lehmam, C.M & DuFrene, D.D, 2012). Formal communication usually is associated with the use of the officially designated channels. Since these channels generally are specified by a hierarchical system of authority, formal communication is described according to the direction of flow in a hierarchy: Downward, Upward, and Horizontal. This essay focuses on informal communication andwill explain and provide an analysis of the managerial challenges associated with managing informal communication. Many scholars, workers, managers and other people argue that informal communication should be destroyed; (Robbins, S & Mukerji, D, 1994) however this essay will prove that informal communication is the most important in the organizations...
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...understand when and how to use them to get the greatest impact. 3. Consider the relational messages employees seem to have received from management as sundown’s business grew. Answer:the relational messages employees seem to have received from management as sundown bakery grew therefore, the message has changed from positive to negative or family feeling to bureaucrats. In addition, received control message rather than affinity message. 4. A.How have sundown’s formal and information communication networks changed as the company expanded? B. In what ways have both the formal and informal networks contributed to sundown’s growing pains? C.In what ways can these networks be used to improve the relationships between management and employees? Answer: A | Formal | Informal | Gather employee manual and talk to them by using memos | Hiring new employees for management to create new rules | B. There was less give and take of ideas between the owners and workers. Where some problems in formal no relational messages and in...
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...occur. The Components of Knowledge Transfer In principle, knowledge transfer can be broken down into distinct stages. The five steps to describe the process: idea creation, sharing, evaluation, dissemination, and adoption. 1) Idea creation: A massive literature exists on how to promote creativity. Robert Sutton has studied creativity in groups and offers the following list of questions to ask when assessing a group's potential for creativity. 2) Idea sharing: For information sharing to occur, two conditions must be satisfied. First, ideas must be in a form that others in the organization can interpret. Dissemination is easier when the knowledge can be made explicit or formal. For many skills and ideas, this involves transforming the idea into a codified, often written, format. Tacit, or informal, knowledge can be shared as well but the means of sharing are different, requiring...
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