"Within the realm of communication studies, organizational communication is a field of study surrounding all areas of communication and information flow that contribute to the functioning of an organization."
The exchange of information and ideas within an organization that affects decision-making, coordination, and performance.
Organizational Communication Theory: The different theories and models that explain how communication takes place within organizations, including classical, human relations, and systems theory.
Communication Networks: The different ways in which communication and information flow through formal and informal channels (such as the grapevine), as well as the various patterns of communication within organizations.
Power and Control: How power and control are exercised within organizations, and the different ways in which communication can serve as a tool for either maintaining or challenging power structures.
Organizational Culture: How communication and other forms of social interaction shape the shared beliefs, attitudes, norms, and values that define an organization's culture.
Organizational Change: The role of communication in facilitating or impeding organizational change, including the phases of change, resistance to change, and communication strategies for managing change.
Diversity and Inclusion: How communication plays a role in creating and managing diversity and inclusion in organizations, including cross-cultural communication, identity and difference, and strategies for creating more inclusive organizational cultures.
Socialization: The various communication processes (both formal and informal) through which new employees and members are socialized into an organization's culture, values, norms, and practices.
Organizational Ethics: How communication is used to promote ethical behavior within organizations, including the ethical implications of different forms of communication and ethical leadership.
Conflict and Negotiation: The role of communication in managing and resolving conflicts within organizations, as well as the various strategies and tactics used in negotiation processes.
Organizational Learning: How communication processes contribute to organizational learning and knowledge creation, including the role of dialogue, feedback, and collaborative inquiry.
Technology and Communication: The ways in which technology is changing organizational communication and the challenges and opportunities presented by new forms of digital communication.
Leadership and Communication: The role of communication in effective leadership, including different leadership styles, communication strategies for building trust and influencing others, and the challenges of leading in today's complex and dynamic organizations.
Internal Communication: Communication that takes place within an organization among different levels of employees falls under this category. It includes formal and informal communication, such as staff meetings, memos, emails, or intra-office messaging.
External Communication: Communication that takes place outside the organization's premises or with stakeholders, such as customers, suppliers, and partners, falls under this category.
Upward Communication: Communication from lower-ranking employees to higher-ranking managers or superiors to inform them about the progress of work, feedback, suggestions falls under this category.
Downward Communication: Communication from higher-ranking managers or superiors to lower-ranking employees/staff regarding work, rules, policies, and expectations is categorized under downward communication.
Diagonal/Horizontal Communication: This occurs between employees at the same level or department of the organization. It includes group discussions, meetings, and other forms of informal communication to exchange ideas, share information, or address issues.
Interpersonal Communication: It involves communication between individuals, such as between a manager and a subordinate, colleagues, or team members, to build relationships and work collaboratively.
Mass Communication: Occurs through various media like television, radio, newspapers, and other mass media channels to communicate with a large audience, which could be external or internal.
Crisis Communication: This is a form of communication used to manage or mitigate the impact of an unexpected current event that could affect an organization or its reputation.
Informal Communication: It involves conversations, informal chats outside office premises or after office hours, instant messaging, group chats and social media, or grapevine communication.
"The scope of organizations included in this field of research have also shifted over time."
"Now both traditionally profitable companies, as well as NGOs and non-profit organizations, are points of interest for scholars focused on the field of organizational communication."
"Organizations are formed and sustained through continuous communication between members of the organization and both internal and external sub-groups who possess shared objectives for the organization."
"The flow of communication encompasses internal and external stakeholders."
"The flow of communication encompasses internal and external stakeholders and can be formal or informal."