Question

Pam, a human resources manager, is frustrated that the company's slow computer network seems to be hurting overall productivity in the company. She schedules a meeting with Vladimir, a digital technology manager in the company, to discuss the problem and try to develop some solutions. This is an example of which of the following types of communication?
a. Downward
b. Diagonal
c. Horizontal
d. Upward
e. None of these are correct.

Answer 1

Answer:

c. Horizontal

Explanation:

Communication is the transfer of information and knowledge from one person, entity or group to another involving a sender, a message and a recipient. Communication can take the form of verbal, non-verbal and written and it can be over many modes such as face-to-face, telephone call, fax or email.

In a business organization, communication can occur between different departments and employees at different levels of the organizational chart. This can derive the four types of communication in the question.

A. Downward communication occurs when a top level manager communicates with someone lower down the chart but in the same department. For example, the finance manager may explain to their accountants regarding changes in tax policies.

B. Diagonal communication is when two people on different levels and from different departments communicate. For example, the HR manager may talk to a marketing employee regarding sexual harassment in the workplace.

C. Horizontal communication is the case where two employees on the same level of the organizational chart communicate but are from different departments. As in this case, where the HR manager and digital technology manager are both managers but from different departments.

D. Upward communication occurs when a low-level employee communicates with a superior who is existing in the same department. For example, production workers may consult their supervisor about certain bottlenecks in production.