Module 3 Organisational CommunicationPage 52-58Normally included in Question 3 of Paper 2

3.1 What is an organisation? p.52Groups of people who work together towards a

mutual goal or goals.They have to communicate at various levels of the

organisation (internal comm)Sometimes they have to communicate with

members who are non-members (external communication)

Definition: Organisational Communication

It can be defined as the internal and external communication of members of an organisation at all levels in order to achieve the particular organisation’s goals.

THE ORGANISATIONAL FUNCTION – Management implements it:

Organise activities and resources (human and material). This is done by assigning duties, tasks, responsibilities and authority to specific individuals and groups.

They must determine and formalise the relationship between individuals and groups. This is necessary to promote cooperation and to achieve goals set by the organisation.

3.2 Basic hierarchical structures p.52

The logical structure of an organisation is done grammatically in a diagram called the organigram, organisational chart or organisational pyramid

It reflects three basic hierarchical structures:◦Line ◦Line and staff ◦Functional

3.2.1 Line organisation p.53

Putting specific senior staff members directly in charge of specific junior employees with the specific purpose of having instructions obeyed within the shortest possible time.

3.2.2 Line and staff organisation p.53

Staff functions, which refer to the expert knowledge of certain staff members, are increasingly being included in the line

organisation of business concerns.

3.2.3 Functional organisation p.55

Involves appointing an expert in a particular field as senior employee over a number of

similarly trained subordinates.

3.2.4 Channels of formal internal communication

Vertical (from higher levels to lower levels of authority and vice versa)

Horizontal or lateral (between employees on the same level or peer group)

Diagonal (around or across the formal lines of authority)

3.3 Forms of address p.56Senior colleagues should be addressed by their

titles: Mr, Mrs, Miss, Dr, Professor.Do not address a colleague by his first name in the

presence of members of the public or students.Employees on same level can address each other

on their first names.Address people according to their cultureRemarks during a meeting to the ChairpersonEnglish: uncle and aunt (only family members) Unlike in Afrikaans: oom and tannie

3.3.1 Appropriate forms for dignitaries p.57See page 57 (table) for full list

A Chief Justice is called Mr Chief Justice or in court we say Your Honour. On a letter we write The Honourable T.P. Jones, Chief Justice

3.4 Means (or methods) of communication p.57

Oral communication◦Helps to establish and convey a specific attitude

and build a specific interpersonal relationshipWritten communication◦ It offers concrete proof of an agreement

5.4 Means (or methods) of communication p.58

Non-verbal communication◦You can convey respect by speaking, dressing etc.

Electronic communication◦You can send information to anywhere in the

world

Why organisational comm is NB!?