Surveys suggestion boxes and employee newsletters are considered to be ____ types of communication.
Options:
- A) Downward
- B) Upward
- C) grapevine
- D) lateral
The Correct Answer Is:
- B) Upward
Answer Explanation:
Surveys, suggestion boxes, and employee newsletters are considered to be upward types of communication. This choice is correct because these communication methods primarily involve information flowing from employees or lower-level members of an organization to their managers, supervisors, or higher-level decision-makers.
Let’s delve into the details of why this answer is correct and why the other options (A) Downward, (C) Grapevine, and (D) Lateral are not the most appropriate categorizations for these communication methods.
Upward Communication:
Upward communication refers to the flow of information from subordinates or employees to their superiors, managers, or higher-ups in an organization. This type of communication serves various purposes, such as providing feedback, sharing ideas, reporting problems, and giving suggestions.
Surveys, suggestion boxes, and employee newsletters all fit under the umbrella of upward communication for the following reasons:
Surveys: Surveys are a valuable tool for collecting feedback, opinions, and suggestions from employees. They are often designed to gauge employee satisfaction, gather input on organizational changes, or identify areas for improvement.
The data collected from surveys is then presented to higher-level management for analysis and decision-making. This process clearly exemplifies upward communication, as it involves employees conveying their thoughts and sentiments to their superiors.
Suggestion Boxes: Suggestion boxes are physical or digital platforms where employees can submit their ideas, concerns, or suggestions anonymously or with their identities disclosed. The purpose of suggestion boxes is to provide an avenue for employees to communicate their thoughts and recommendations directly to management.
These suggestions are then reviewed and considered by higher-level decision-makers, making this form of communication a classic example of upward communication.
Employee Newsletters: Employee newsletters are publications created by organizations to disseminate information, updates, and news relevant to employees. While they may contain information from various sources, such as management announcements, they often include contributions and insights from employees.
Employees can submit articles, share success stories, or contribute to sections like “Employee of the Month.” By featuring content generated by employees, employee newsletters facilitate upward communication, enabling employees to share their perspectives and experiences with a broader audience, including management.
Now, let’s explore why the other options are not the most appropriate categorizations for these communication methods:
(A) Downward Communication:
Downward communication is the flow of information from higher-level members of an organization to lower-level employees. This type of communication typically involves instructions, policies, goals, and directives from management to staff.
Surveys, suggestion boxes, and employee newsletters do not fit this category because they primarily involve information going from employees to management, which is characteristic of upward communication.
(C) Grapevine Communication:
Grapevine communication, also known as informal communication, is the transmission of information through informal channels within an organization. It often involves rumors, gossip, and unverified information that spreads among employees.
Surveys, suggestion boxes, and employee newsletters are not forms of grapevine communication because they are structured and official methods of communication that are designed to collect and disseminate accurate information. Grapevine communication, on the other hand, is typically spontaneous and can be unreliable.
(D) Lateral Communication:
Lateral communication refers to the exchange of information between individuals or departments at the same hierarchical level within an organization. It fosters collaboration, coordination, and knowledge sharing among peers.
Surveys, suggestion boxes, and employee newsletters are not examples of lateral communication because they involve communication between employees and their superiors or management, which is a hierarchical relationship. Lateral communication, in contrast, occurs between individuals or groups of equal rank within the organization.
In summary, surveys, suggestion boxes, and employee newsletters are considered upward types of communication because they involve the transmission of information from employees or lower-level members of an organization to their superiors or management.
This classification is appropriate because these communication methods serve the purpose of gathering feedback, suggestions, and insights from employees, which is essential for organizational improvement and decision-making.
The other options, downward, grapevine, and lateral communication, do not accurately describe these communication methods because they do not align with the direction and nature of information flow associated with surveys, suggestion boxes, and employee newsletters.
MBA,BBA.
I am Smirti Bam, an enthusiastic edu blogger with a passion for sharing insights into the dynamic world of business and management through this website.
I hold a MBA degree from Presidential Business School, Kathmandu, and a BBA degree with a specialization in Finance from Apex College,
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