The 6 types of organizational communication

Communication processes are an essential part not only in social relationships, but at the organizational level, within the business context. Organizational communication allows messages to be transmitted and received and to maintain group and work cohesion among workers.

That is why more and more companies choose to hire people who are in charge of managing, stimulating and improving communication in the company. There are different types of organizational communication, according to some parameters. Let's see what each of them consists of.

• Related article: "The 28 types of communication and their characteristics"

Communication inside and outside the company

Organizational communication is that communication that occurs in companies, either through their employees, as in relation to the organizational context. It encompasses all those messages, behaviors and attitudes that are emitted in the work context, with the purpose of transmitting an idea, a goal, a task, etc. It also has to do with the identity of the company.

Thus, it is an essential part in any company, since through effective organizational communication, it is possible to create a work environment adequate, as well as keeping all its members informed about the relevant issues, necessary to develop the work activity in a efficient.

That is why today it is very common to find a professional fully dedicated to developing this field, through the creation strategies and the implementation of processes and tools that facilitate fluid communication between workers in the business.

At the same time, These communication professionals also work on the image that the company projects outside, in society or in the business fabric (configuring your business identity, your "brand"); In other words, they are in charge of managing what messages the company emits and how it emits them (either through social networks, advertising, etc.).

Types of organizational communication

Depending on the type of communication (specifically, at what level the communication occurs, if within or outside the company), we find two types of organizational communication: internal and external. We are going to know what each one of them consists of, in addition to their subtypes:

1. Internal communication

The internal communication of a company is the one that occurs within it, between its employees. Is It is carried out through meetings, communications, reception manuals, brochures, etc. In turn, we find different types of internal organizational communication, according to the classification parameters that we use:

1. 1. According to its degree of formality

Depending on its character or typology (or degree of formality), internal organizational communication can be of two types: formal and informal.

Formal internal organizational communication It is made up of all those messages that are emitted and received among the company's workers, through official acts, such as meetings, assemblies... That is, it is a communication that has a more "official".

This is information that is usually recorded, through the acts of the meetings, for example. That is why you can go to it if needed.

Informal internal organizational communication It is the one that has a less formal, less official character; that is, it encompasses situations of interaction between the members of a company, when they are talking and exchanging messages or impressions during their break time, for example.

It is usually an oral communication; it is the one that allows to promote a good work environment.

1.2. According to the directionality of the information

Thus, internal communication can also be of three types, if we look at the criterion of which direction the flow of information follows: ascending, descending and horizontal. For communication within a company to be effective and productive, these three types must exist: ascending, descending or horizontal.

The first of the types of internal organizational communication according to its directionality is ascending: this consists of communication that is transmitted "from the bottom up", that is, from the workers ("pawns") to their department heads, area heads and managers. In other words, it is the information communicated by the low ranks to the intermediate and high ranks (at the hierarchical level).

How is this type of communication carried out? Through different channels and tools: meetings, suggestion forms, surveys, interviews, etc.

Internal downward communication is the one that goes "from top to bottom.", that is, from the bosses or managers, towards their workers. In other words, at the hierarchical level, it is the information transmitted by high-ranking workers to intermediate and lower ranks.

It is done through meetings, phone calls, letters, brochures, reports, speeches, instructions (oral or written), etc.

Finally, the third of the types of organizational communication according to its directionality, is horizontal communication; is occurs between co-workers who are in the same rank or hierarchical level (for example between department heads, area heads, workers, etc.).

Like the previous ones, you can take different channels or routes; meetings, informal chats between colleagues, calls, emails, etc. This type of communication allows to promote cohesion between workers and teams, improving their work and personal relationship.

• You may be interested: "Work and organizational psychology: a profession with a future"

2. External communication

The second of the types of organizational communication, according to the level at which it occurs, is external communication; This encompasses the communication processes that take place to publicize the company outside.

It has more to do with advertising issues, the projected image of the company, social networks, etc. It also allows to know the opinion that people outside the company have, of the company itself (that is, what society thinks of the company).

Thus, external communication is formed, in addition to advertising, by press releases, communiqués, information brochures, etc.

Components (edit)

There are three components or elements in every communicative act, within the different types of organizational communication. These three elements are part of communication; They are key pieces that influence the entire process and that allow it to develop. We talk about:

1. People

They are the people who communicate within the company, or who facilitate the communication processes of the same (in external communication, for example). Being a process of human interaction, it is evident that the characteristics of the people will influence the act and the communicative process (on how the information is transmitted, what information is selected, how it is received, etc.)

That is, it will influence the person's state of mind, his personality, his relationships with his colleagues (type, frequency ...), his rank or hierarchical level within the company, etc.

2. Contents

The contents in every communicative act they have to do with the objectives that the emission of certain messages is intended to achieve, as well as with the issuer and the receiver of the same, the channels or means of communication that are used, etc. All this will influence, like the previous component, what is obtained with this communicative act and the final result of said process.

3. Environment

Finally, the environment refers to the setting where communication takes place; that is, to the organization itself, but also to its specific spaces (office, cafeteria, elevator ...). The environment is a component that also influences and affects communication, influencing the issuers and recipients of messages, and vice versa (that is, people can also influence the environment).

Bibliographic references:

• Hogg, M. (2010). Social psychology. Vaughan Graham M. Pan American. Publisher: Panamericana.
• Oliveras, E.F. (2017). Types of organizational communication in the company. P&A Group.