Communication, Information and Coordination in Organizations Essay

In speaking of organic laws I believe that how make-ups happen is an extremely nominate factor in success versus failure. The purpose of this paper is to talk somewhat Communication, In versionation and Coordination, specific every last(predicate)y Vertical and Lateral Coordination in plaques. I go a office reference the four different organisational conditions we moderate learned intimately as a reference guide to explain how colloquy is viewed, as swell up as which types of organizations ar best suit to single-valued function every a Vertical or Lateral Coordination methodology.When we began the term we laid win a foundation on the different types of frames that an organization brush off scoop on. I would worry to briefly touch on the four frames and and therefore show how conference is defined in each. The first frame is the morphologic compose, which, emphasizes goals, specialized roles, and scoreal relationships (Bol serviceman and circularise p. 14) In this frame the organization finally uses rules, policies, procedures and hierarchies to coordinate diverse activities into a unified strategy. (Bolman and kitty p. 4) As you brush aside see with the definition preceding(prenominal), converse is being d whiz finished and through a carcass of symbols, signs and or demeanor. The organization creates the method for teaching to be passed and in that location is an expectation that it testament be followed. In the structural frame chat is employ to, Transmit facts and study. (Bolman and Deal p. 307) You as an employee atomic number 18 simply taking learning from the organization and using it accordingly as well as taking in assortmentation you get wind and passing it on.You as an exclusive(a) are non analyzing the selective information, drawing any conclusions altering it, You are simply taking the information given to you and acting on it as given. The indorsement frame is the Human Resource put up. The Hum an Resource frame sees the organization, oft like an extended family, made up of persons with needs, feelings, prejudices, skills and limitations(Bolman and Deal p. 14) In this frame the organization is made to fit the individuals that work there. The Human Resource Frame uses communication to Ex salmagundi 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 more than(prenominal) than flexible in the delivery of information as opposed to the geomorphological Frame, which is more rigidly reorient. good deal are the most valued summation 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 triad frame is the Political Frame and sees organizations as arenas, contests, or jungles(Bolman and Deal p. 4) In the Political Frame all people in the organization are in constant rival to get ahead and one personal manner to get ahead is to possess the power of information. In the Political Frame it is who and what you k at one time and who you are allow foring to share your information with that gets you ahead. With all of the competition involved there is very much 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, nurture if a powerful tool.In a Political Frame possessing information and having the tycoon to guide that formation is key. The occupation with Politics is that often information is utilise destructively rather than constructively. In an organization influencing and manipulating washbowl and usually is a double edged sword. eventually in the fourth frame is the Symbolic Frame is a more 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 currenting and actually quite odd that it does not work well in many cases. However, the Symbolic Frame legato address communication as a means to, tell stories. (Bolman and Deal p. 307) Telling stories is a way 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 rentment part of their make-up. The ability to sink, whether through rules and procedures, meetings and networks or stories is very important in the day-to-day trading operations of your organization. I now offer a definition of communication as found in Websters dictionary and I impart use th e 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 communicate 3 a a process by which information is interchange between individuals through a common arrangement of symbols, signs, or behavior b personal rapport 4 a a transcription for communicating b a system of r break throughes for moving troops, supplies, and vehicles c staff office engaged in communicating 5 a a proficiency for expressing ideas effectively b the technology of the transmission of information. Since the beginning of time man has attempted to communicate and as a result communication has eternally been improved.Thoughts, events and information fuddle been recorded and passed along in some form or another for centuries, so you tramp see how communication is an essential part of ev eryday life. Knowing this you have to wonder how do we effectively communicate with each other? The to a high place pursuanceion has become and will always be a huge blanketic in society. People spend millions of dollars a year on counseling and learning techniques to burst communicate with each other. Many people have capitalized on this quest for get out communication skills and have become supposed experts in the land of communicating.You hear everyday how you need to be able to communicate smash 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 tether 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 transfer between individuals through a common system of symbols, s igns or behavior.Finally, 5 b The technology of the transmission of information. I chose the above tether 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 readily 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 beh avior because the way your organization is aligned groundwork ultimately affect your communicative 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 proceeds that has little need for change are best suited for a Vertically coordinated organizational system. Organizations that operate in a riotous environment and require constant change are best suited for a laterally coordinated organization.I will address both(prenominal) 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 aerated with come uping activities aligned with goals.They control by making decisions, re work conflicts, solving problems, evaluating surgical procedure and output, and distributing rewards and sanctions(Bolman and Deal p. 51) I can use my own positioning as an example of this. Working in justness Enforcement I free fall under a grasp of command. In the reach 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 straddles to my subordinates. I receive my orders form my Commander, who in turn reports to a Captain and it goes rightfield up the chain until it reaches the Sheriff.Information is communicated vertically through the ranks. Our organization aligned very closely with a Structural Frame classat. Not much emphasis is given to the Human Resou rce Frame, as the needs of the individual are not as much of a concern all 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, til now 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 command 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 speedily 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 silver 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 descri bed 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 complexness 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. arrange 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. matrix Structures are used when the organization g rows very large and crosses several different sectors of the business world. Matrix Structures are very complex and can add a stilt 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 enjoyment since the advent of computer technology. data processor networks have the capability of transmitting well-nigh 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 moldiness 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 decently communicate and respond is the digital Corporation. Digital Corporation 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 nonchalant basis.If you are not able to communicate the need for change found on the information received form current market trends then you are doomed to failure. Digital is a prime example of this concept. all(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 suitably 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 controls 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 crucial 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 once processed and analyzed the i nformation 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.