Communication, Information and Coordination in Organizations Essay

In speaking of fundamental laws I believe that how faces fade is an extremely get word factor in success versus failure. The purpose of this paper is to talk intimately Communication, In plaster bandageation and Coordination, specific anyy Vertical and Lateral Coordination in physical compositions. I allow for reference the four different agreemental skeletal establishments we fork up learned near as a reference guide to explain how conference is viewed, as head as which types of organizations ar best worthy to subprogram every a Vertical or Lateral Coordination methodology.When we began the term we laid downwards a foundation on the different types of frames that an organization fuck bring forth on. I would ex permuteable to briefly touch on the four frames and thitherfore show how conversation is defined in each. The first frame is the geomorphological draw up, which, emphasizes goals, specialized roles, and potpourrial relationships (Bol patch and like p. 14) In this frame the organization in the end uses rules, policies, procedures and hierarchies to coordinate diverse activities into a unified strategy. (Bolman and admit p. 4) As you posterior see with the definition in a higher(prenominal) place, chat is being d wiz by a schema of symbols, signs and or demeanour. The organization creates the method for entropy to be passed and there is an expectation that it exit be followed. In the structural frame talk is utilize to, Transmit facts and nurture. (Bolman and Deal p. 307) You as an employee argon simply pickings nurture from the organization and using it accordingly as well as taking in kindation you percolate and passing it on.You as an separate ar non analyzing the discipline, drawing any conclusions altering it, You are simply taking the information given to you and acting on it as given. The aid frame is the Human Resource ashes. The Human Resource frame sees the organization, some(prenominal) like a n extended family, made up of singles with needs, feelings, prejudices, skills and limitations(Bolman and Deal p. 14) In this frame the organization is made to fit the idiosyncratics that work there. The Human Resource Frame uses communication to Exchange information, needs and feelings. (Bolman and Deal p. 307) The Human Resource Frame uses the individual as a conduit for information gathering and dispersal and is much much flexible in the delivery of information as opposed to the structural Frame, which is much rigidly aline. quite a little are the most valued plus of an organization. The Human Resource Frame seeks to develop the individual employee in the organization rather than making them one step is a core process. The troika frame is the Political Frame and sees organizations as arenas, contests, or jungles(Bolman and Deal p. 4) In the Political Frame all stack in the organization are in constant contestation to get ahead and one room to get ahead is to possess t he power of information. In the Political Frame it is who and what you k flat and who you are volitioning to share your information with that gets you ahead. With all of the competition involved there is oft conflict between those vying for power. The Political Frame sees communication as an opportunity to, Influence or manipulate others. (Bolman and Deal p. 307) As stated previously, selective information if a powerful tool.In a Political Frame possessing information and having the baron to carry that formation is key. The difficulty with Politics is that often information is employ destructively rather than constructively. In an organization influencing and manipulating mickle and usually is a double edged sword. at long last in the fourth frame is the Symbolic Frame is a much organic frame that is seen organizationally as, Tribes, theaters, or carnivals. It abandons assumptions of rationality more spectacular in other frames. (Bolman and Deal p. 5) This frame is not widely used because it is so free s slip bying and actually quite odd that it does not work well in many cases. However, the Symbolic Frame tranquil address communication as a means to, tell stories. (Bolman and Deal p. 307) Telling stories is a mood often used to pass along information. Many cultures use stories to educate the next generation and the stories contain information that is important for the next generations to know and preserve. In organizations, stories, tales and fables should not be seen as appropriate sources of information.Basically, all the frames acknowledge that communication is an of the essence(p) part of their make-up. The ability to authorise, whether by means of rules and procedures, meetings and networks or stories is very important in the day-to-day operations of your organization. I now offer a definition of communication as found in Websters vocabulary and I ordain use the definition to further explain the importance of communication and more specifically the communication of information through a coordinated effort. Websters Dictionary defines Communication as an act of instance of transmitting 2 a information communicated b a verbal or written center 3 a a process by which information is interchange between individuals through a common outline of symbols, signs, or behavior b personal rapport 4 a a system for communicating b a system of r kayoedes for moving troops, supplies, and vehicles c violence engaged in communicating 5 a a technique for expressing ideas efficaciously b the technology of the transmission of information. Since the beginning of time man has attempted to communicate and as a result communication has invariably been improved.Thoughts, events and information solemnize been recorded and passed along in some form or another for centuries, so you move see how communication is an essential part of everyday life. Knowing this you have to wonder how do we effectively communicate with each other? The higher up followingion has become and will always be a huge topic in society. People spend millions of dollars a year on counseling and learning techniques to crack communicate with each other. Many people have capitalized on this quest for remedy communication skills and have become supposed experts in the discipline of communicating.You hear everyday how you need to be able to communicate break out in your relationships, with your friends, peers and in general with everyone. So I look to the above definition to better clarify what exactly is meant by the various definitions of communication as I interpret them. I will use troika of the definitions above and concentrate eon how they tie in with the theme of the paper, which is coordination. 2 a Information communicated. 3 a a process by which information is change between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs or behavior.Finally, 5 b The technology of the transmission of information. I chose the above t erce definitions because they tie into a repetitive theme indoors communication and that is the passing of information. We have discussed in this class, throughout the term, that information is power and those who have information have a definite advantage. In an organization information is key to success. The organization that is able to establish a free flow of information will always be in a better position to succeed because they are in a position to be able to adapt more chop-chop in times where change is necessary.I am not suggesting that information always leads to change, because the information you receive could very well be that you need to continue what you are doing without changing. In particular Id like to look at the second definition I chose which talks about information being exchanged through a common system of symbols, signs or behavior and Id like to focus on behavior because the way your organization is aligned tail assembly ultimately affect your communicat ive behavior.In chapter three of Reframing Organizations we look see two types of coordination, which determine how information is passed and who processes it. The two types of coordination are Vertical and Lateral. Organizations that operate in stable markets and use a harvest-home that has little need for change are best suited for a Vertically coordinated organizational system. Organizations that operate in a degraded environment and drive constant change are best suited for a laterally coordinated organization.I will address two types and give an example of each below. In Vertical Coordination we see that the higher levels of management maintain control of information and regulate communications through establishing clear lines of authority, implementing rules and policies, and putting in place planning and control systems. By establishing authority the hierarchy appoints people such as executives, managers and supervisors to be in charge. This core group of people selected to have authority are, officially supercharged with keeping activities aligned with goals.They control by making decisions, re work out conflicts, solving problems, evaluating performance and output, and distributing rewards and sanctions(Bolman and Deal p. 51) I can use my own feature as an example of this. Working in faithfulness Enforcement I go under a strand of command. In the drawstring of command I have been appointed a Sergeant. As a Sergeant I am charged with the tasks explained above. I communicate and pass information and pastures to my subordinates. I receive my orders form my Commander, who in turn reports to a Captain and it goes rightfulness up the chain until it reaches the Sheriff.Information is communicated vertically through the ranks. Our organization aligned very closely with a Structural Frame tenorat. Not much emphasis is given to the Human Resource Frame, as the needs of the individual are not as much of a concern over the needs of the organization. The Political Frame is limited because the information is coming from the top and being disseminated down the ranks. Information obtained in Law Enforcement is normally set down in report format and given out. Information that is important and not given out could result in legal action.There is no chance for the Symbolic Frame to exist because we do not communicate organically nor are we allowed to report in a story fashion. In our private lives we can tell stories and relay information, nonetheless on an organizational level we deal strictly with fact. I derive my Authority from the chain of command and am regulated largely by the Policies and Procedures manual that my organization has constructed. The policies and procedures manual gives detailed instructions how to carry out tasks, how to monitor employees performance and conduct investigations.So in my personal career I can see that my organization is Vertically aligned. Information is communicated up and down the chain of co mmand in clear-cut lines. Lateral communication and withholding information is discouraged and can lead to sever punishment. Although new technology is often introduced, the mission of Law Enforcement stays the same. As a result Law Enforcement uses vertical alignment to get information out as quickly and uniformly as possible. The opposite of the vertical form is the Lateral Form of Coordination. In Lateral Coordination several different methods are used to communicate and pass information.Lateral Coordination involves meetings, task forces, coordinating roles, matrix structures, and network organizations to communicate and pass on information. The above listed structures are more flexible and liquid than that of a rigidly defined Vertically Coordinated organization. I will briefly touch on the different methods used in the laterally coordinated systems. Meetings are described as, informal communication and formal meetings form the cornerstone of lateral coordination. (Bolman and deal p. 53) Formal meetings are the normal way stable organizations go about communicating.Simple meetings can used be used to pass along large chunks of information as well as to address new business. As the organization grows in complexity and size, Task Forces are utilized. Task Forces are formed when, problems or opportunities require collaboration of a number of specialties or functions. (Bolman and deal p. 54) Collaboration requires cooperation and cooperation can only exist when there is communication. A Task Force gets a group of specialized people together to accomplish an organizational goal. organise Roles take the talents of individuals and spread them out to help persuade others to accomplish goals.An individual can monitor several different areas to help tie all componets together to make a finished product. ground substance Structures are used when the organization grows very large and crosses several different sectors of the business world. Matrix Structures are very complex and can add a draw of confusion to your organization, which is wherefore they have been used so sparingly. Finally, Networks are now a very common communicative form in organizations. Networks have always been in existence and have grown in custom since the advent of computer technology.figurer networks have the capability of transmitting nearly limitless amounts of information immediately to a large-scale group of people. Computer Networks are now one of the most valuable tools an organization can use to communicate. Since an organization that coordinates laterally is generally one that operates in a turbulent and often changing environment it is easy to see why communication is essential. Information essential be gathered, analyzed, processed and disseminated as quickly as possible to ensure that you will be able to keep up.An example of an organization that suffered because it failed to properly communicate and respond is the digital Corporation. Digital Corpo ration was a leader in the minicomputer industry, however when the market shifted form minicomputers to PCs they were too tied up in a non-productive coordination system. As a result they wasted valuable time in making the transition to the new technology. The company began to fail and was subsequently bought out by Compaq computers. The technology field, computers in particular, is changing on a periodical basis.If you are not able to communicate the need for change establish on the information received form current market trends consequently you are doomed to failure. Digital is a prime example of this concept. every(prenominal) of the above methods of Lateral Coordination are effective, however as with any system there are weaknesses. You must ensured that your resources are being used befittingly and efficiently in order to successfully maintain a more loosely coordinated method, as seen in the Lateral Coordination methodology. When you are not strict and rigid in your contr ols you run the risk of giving people too much freedom in their actions.Lateral Strategies are effective, however they must be monitored. In Conclusion, the coordinated communication of information within an organization is a key determinate of success versus failure. An organization, even one in a stable environment, must be fluid when it comes to communication. A lack of communication has been shown to result in the untimely delivery of all important(p) information and since we have identified that information is power, a lack of information will then render you powerless. By employing sound coordination methodologies and organization can better respond to its environment.As the environment changes so must the organization. The best way to know if your environment is changing is by properly gather and processing information form the various areas you deal in. at a time processed and analyzed the information must quickly be communicated through the appropriate channels to ensure that necessary changes can be made. A breakdown in any one of these areas can and normally will have devastating effects. Many companies have experienced this firsthand. Coordination, Communication and Information are three keys that an organization must embrace in order to survive.