Page 2 - Lesson Note 8

Horizontal or lateral communication takes place between one division and

another. For example, a production manager may contact marketing manager to

discuss about schedule of product delivery, product design, quality etc.

The pattern through which communication flows within the organization is

generally indicated through communication network. Different types of
communication networks may operate in formal organization. Some of the

popular communication networks are presented and discussed in given figure.

Formal communication can be done in different ways — it may be vertical
communication or horizontal communication. The different forms of formal

communication network are shown in the above diagram.
(i) Chain Communication: Chain communication refers to the communication

between a superior and a subordinate. All the people in an organization from top
to bottom are linked with the help of a scalar chain as is shown in diagram (1). A is

placed at the highest rank, B is a subordinate of A, C is the subordinate of B, D is
the subordinate of C and E is the subordinate of D.
(ii) Wheel Communication: In this form of communication all the subordinates of

a superior talk to one another through his medium. The superior works as a hub
of a wheel. In the second diagram, A is the superior and B, C, D and E are the

subordinates. All the four subordinates communicate through the medium of A.
(iii) Circular Communication: This communication takes place among the

members of a group. Every member of a group can communicate with the nearest
two members. In diagram (3), A can have communication with B and E. Similarly,