Case Study Masbet Corporation

Masbet Corporation wants to re-design its organisational communication strategy & re-adjust its focus away from downward form of communications. The new management, which has taken over reigns of the company, are of the considered view that, despite clear advantages offered by downward communication, such as: ease of delegation, discipline, unity of command, and unitary flow of instructions, lateral or horizontal mode of communication is a better way forward and more responsive to modern day business challenges. Some of the key disadvantages of downward communications faced by Masbet are as follows:

1. Explaining & Re-explaining: It is evident that if the instructions of supervisor or superior authority are unclear, ambiguous, or ambivalent,

In this mode, communication generally occurs between workers located at similar ranks & hierarchies in Masbet inc. Key advantage of this arrangement is that information flows amongst workers of equal status & position in organization. This makes communication between departments, units or group of people at similar level in the pecking order of an Organization. Known for enabling change in organisation, horizontal communication radically improves direct supervision, retains discipline & recognises feedback. Moreover, lateral communication also acts as a lubricant for unclogging, and can be used as tool for emergency communication. Masbet Inc will be better off & can achieve its buinsess objective by embracing lateral communications. The advantages of lateral communications are:

1. Improved Understanding:

Complex and dynamic business environment requires clear and cohesive messages. Deployment of horizontal communication will ensure that better understanding ensues amongst workers, even if they’re located at different locations, departments, or divisions. The important aspect is to be able to perform the task on hand with greater awareness and knowledge; and lateral communications ensures just that.

2. Enhanced

Timely implementation:

Policy level decision- which impacts the direction of a company & trajectory of growth are taken by senior management. But its implementation rests with the lower management; without their active involvement the plans remain at mere paper. Lateral communications streamlines channels of communication and ensure that decisions are implemented within a certain time limit. When decisions are co-consulted with all employees-regardless of their ranks- sense of participation creates a feeling of ownership and this bodes well in the long term.

5. Extent of Cordiality:

Access to information & free and unhindered movement of information implies that messages are received, as it is, and feedbacks are provided. Such healthy & timely interaction suggests enhanced level of communication, a factor important for forging cordiality. It not only facilitates co-operation among team members but also solves various organisational problems

6. Employee morale & sense of teamwork:

There is a direct correlation between employee morale & smooth flow of communication. More clear, cohesive & compelling message is, higher will be the levels of employee satisfaction.

7. Job