Communication which starts from lower level to upper level is defined as upward communication.
On other side, Communication which starts from upper level to lower level is defined as downward communication.
Upward communication and downward communication are contrary in nature. These two differ many characteristics in nature and other elementary factors. The following differences between upward communication and downward communication are noticeable:
Difference Between Upward Communication and Downward Communication
Diffirences Downward Communication Upward Communication 01. Definition Downward communication is a process of starting communication process from upper level to lower level. It is just opposite communication to downward communication i.e. it initiate from employees/subordinates/workers to superiors/boss. 02. Nature Such communication is for instruction, orders, advices and the like.So, Downward communication is directive naturally. It is for providing suggestions, complaints and the like to superiors. So, it is not directive in nature. 03. Application An authoritarian communication environment need to apply such communication. A Democratic environment may ensure the application of such communication. 04. Purpose Downward communication is to provide relevant information, orders, instruction to subordinates. It works as like as Feedback. 05. Frequency It happens frequently because of keeping organizational functions smooth and active. Upward communication does not happen so frequently. 06. Distortion People can't distort or get very little scope to distort message or information in such communication because of existing higher authoritarian communication. In Downward communication, Usually Messages can be distorted due to many reasons of sender. 07. Initiative Higher authority or Top level of organization take the initiative to start such communication. Lower level/Employees/Workers of organization take the initiative to start upward communication. 08. Management Downward communication is called as instruction type communication system. Upward communication is stated as like as consultative management.
Upward communication benefits are.
1. Fosters Friendly Relations
Upward communication helps to bring about co-operation, goodwill and
understanding among employers and employees. This stimulates friendly
relations.
2. Provides Valuable Feedback
Upward communication provides a valuable feedback. The superiors come
to know how their plans and policies; orders and instructions are being
received and executed.
3. Encourages Participation
By encouraging employees to make suggestion, upward communication helps
to bring in elements of participative management in the organization.
4. Two-Way Process
Upward communication is a part of a two-way process which promotes
better understanding between management and employees.
5. Making Suggestions
The employees are encouraged to make suggestions in the interest of the
organization. Some of these suggestions prove useful, and the employees are
suitably rewarded.
6. Introducing New Projects
Upward communication creates a healthy relationship between the
management and the employees and this in turn makes it convenient for the
management to introduce new schemes or projects.
7. Employee Morale
Upward communication develops and improves employer-employee relations
and promotes employee morale.
Resistance From Employees
Upward communication disadvantages are.
1. Resistance From Employees
Employees rarely initiate upward communication as they are afraid of
being ignored. Such communication often meets with improper recognition, so
they hesitate to initiate it again.
2. Fear of Incompetence
The subordinates communicating with the superiors fear that their
colleagues or work may be regarded by their superior as a reflection on their
own competence.
3. Indecisive Superiors
If the superiors do not take any decision in the light of upward
communication, the employee's loss confidence in their superiors.
4. Messages Not Heard
Often messages do not travel upwards; they merely rest with the
inactive or indifferent superior. Some managers are poor listeners, some simply
'hear' messages without taking any action.
5. Unwillingness to Admit Failure
Many employees in lower hierarchy are insecure about their jobs and
uncertain about their future prospects. They, therefore, feel unwilling to
discuss their on-the-job problems with their superiors.
Downward communication advantages are.
1. Useful for management
Downward communication is the backbone of an organization. The
management finds it useful to communicate necessary official information or
plan of work to employees.
2. Good organization
In downward communication, there is a clear-cut division of
responsibility and accountability. Discipline, satisfaction, harmony and
co-operation follow automatically.
3.Useful for employees
Downward communication is useful for employees as they are well
informed about their work from time to time. It gives them motivation and
raises the morale of employees.
4. Superiors well informed
Downward communication keeps the superiors well informed about the
development of the work as communication takes place along the well-defined
lines.
5. A Sense of belonging
In downward communication, the employees carry a strong feeling of
participation in the management of the organization. They regard themselves as
important employees.
Time consuming
Downward Communication disadvantages are.
1. Time consuming
Downward communication is time consuming communication because it moves
along the line of command of the hierarchy. It results in waste of time as the
line of communication is long.
2. Distortion
Downward communication has to pass through many levels of authority, so
there is a delay as well as distortion of the message.
3. Authoritarian approach
In downward communication, there is too much concentration of authority
at the higher level. As people in the lower levels are merely receivers of
decisions. So they unconsciously receive such message and miscommunication
results.
4. Over and under Communication
Downward communication suffers from over communication or
under-communication. In over-communication supervisors talk too much and merely
waste the time of his subordinates. Due to this, the juniors are not respecting
the seniors and there is indiscipline among the juniors. In
under-communication, the supervisor does not talk enough and leaves his
subordinates to his guessing about what he wants them to do.
5. Different priorities
In downward communication, the employees seek information about job
security, salary, promotion and other beneficial schemes, but the management
prefers to pass down orders and directions only. The gap between their
priorities leaves the employees and employers dissatisfied.
6. No confidential matter
In downward communication, confidential matter cannot be disclosed at
lower levels.
Communication which starts from lower level to upper level is defined as upward communication.
On other side, Communication which starts from upper level to lower level is defined as downward communication.
Upward communication and downward communication are contrary in nature. These two differ many characteristics in nature and other elementary factors. The following differences between upward communication and downward communication are noticeable:
| Diffirences | Downward Communication | Upward Communication |
| 01. Definition | Downward communication is a process of starting communication process from upper level to lower level. | It is just opposite communication to downward communication i.e. it initiate from employees/subordinates/workers to superiors/boss. |
| 02. Nature | Such communication is for instruction, orders, advices and the like.So, Downward communication is directive naturally. | It is for providing suggestions, complaints and the like to superiors. So, it is not directive in nature. |
| 03. Application | An authoritarian communication environment need to apply such communication. | A Democratic environment may ensure the application of such communication. |
| 04. Purpose | Downward communication is to provide relevant information, orders, instruction to subordinates. | It works as like as Feedback. |
| 05. Frequency | It happens frequently because of keeping organizational functions smooth and active. | Upward communication does not happen so frequently. |
| 06. Distortion | People can't distort or get very little scope to distort message or information in such communication because of existing higher authoritarian communication. | In Downward communication, Usually Messages can be distorted due to many reasons of sender. |
| 07. Initiative | Higher authority or Top level of organization take the initiative to start such communication. | Lower level/Employees/Workers of organization take the initiative to start upward communication. |
| 08. Management | Downward communication is called as instruction type communication system. | Upward communication is stated as like as consultative management. |
Downward communication advantages are.
1. Useful for management
Downward communication is the backbone of an organization. The
management finds it useful to communicate necessary official information or
plan of work to employees.
2. Good organization
In downward communication, there is a clear-cut division of
responsibility and accountability. Discipline, satisfaction, harmony and
co-operation follow automatically.
3.Useful for employees
Downward communication is useful for employees as they are well
informed about their work from time to time. It gives them motivation and
raises the morale of employees.
4. Superiors well informed
Downward communication keeps the superiors well informed about the
development of the work as communication takes place along the well-defined
lines.
5. A Sense of belonging
In downward communication, the employees carry a strong feeling of
participation in the management of the organization. They regard themselves as
important employees.
Drawbacks of downward communication are followed:
Time consuming
Distortion
Authoritarian approach
Over and under Communication
Different priorities
No confidential matter
Downward Communication disadvantages are.
1. Time consuming
Downward communication is time consuming communication because it moves
along the line of command of the hierarchy. It results in waste of time as the
line of communication is long.
2. Distortion
Downward communication has to pass through many levels of authority, so
there is a delay as well as distortion of the message.
3. Authoritarian approach
In downward communication, there is too much concentration of authority
at the higher level. As people in the lower levels are merely receivers of
decisions. So they unconsciously receive such message and miscommunication
results.
4. Over and under Communication
Downward communication suffers from over communication or
under-communication. In over-communication supervisors talk too much and merely
waste the time of his subordinates. Due to this, the juniors are not respecting
the seniors and there is indiscipline among the juniors. In
under-communication, the supervisor does not talk enough and leaves his
subordinates to his guessing about what he wants them to do.
5. Different priorities
In downward communication, the employees seek information about job
security, salary, promotion and other beneficial schemes, but the management
prefers to pass down orders and directions only. The gap between their
priorities leaves the employees and employers dissatisfied.
6. No confidential matter
In downward communication, confidential matter cannot be disclosed at
lower levels.
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