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You are here: Home / Internal Communication / Advantage and disadvantage of formal communication

Advantage and disadvantage of formal communication

Posted By The Business Communication 20 Comments

Merits or advantages or important of formal communication:

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  • The main advantages of formal communication are given below
  • These disadvantages of formal communication are given below

The main advantages of formal communication are given below

  • Increase overall efficiency: This type of communication is used by following the predetermined rules so it increases the overall efficiency of the organization.
  • Easy communication system: The top level management communicates with their employees by using formal downward communication system. Again the employees communicate with their higher authority to use this system. It is very much easy to communicate with each other.
  • Permanent record: The copy of formal communication is always preserved in the file and it is used as reference. As a result, it is easy to seek the copy of it if necessary.
  • Quick accomplishment of work: Sometimes the rapid communication is to be needed with the employees. To use the formal downward communication system it is possible to communicate with the employees quickly. So the work may be done timely.
  • Maintenance of discipline: Under the formal communication system the workers are bound to be careful to their own duty. So ultimately it makes discipline in the organization.
  • Ease of cooperation and coordination: Cooperation and coordination is very much essential to carry out the business activity smoothly. Formal communication is a part of coordination. So, coordinated activities can be done properly and easily through formal communication.
  • Use as reference: Documents of formal communication is recorded by the organization. So, these recorded documents are used as a source of the employees.
  • Ease of delegation of authority: Authority is delegated by the superiors to the subordinates through the help of this communication.
  • Free from mistakes: Since formal communication has well-defined rules and regulations. So, there is a little chance of mistakes in exchanging information within the employees.
  • Related Articles
    - What is Formal Communication? Formal vs Informal Communication
    - Methods of Internal Communication
    - Advantages of Internal Communication
    - What is Internal Communication? Characteristics of Internal Communication
  • Others: Increasing attention, reliability, accuracy, smooth communication system, free form distortion, easy to understand, increasing company goodwill, etc.

Formal communication has many advantages, but it is not defective.

These disadvantages of formal communication are given below

  • Wastage of time: Top-level management communicates with their employees by maintaining the board of succession, not by-passing any executive or any level. That is why it takes a lot of time and it wastages much time of the concerned person.
  • Inflexibility: Ordinarily the formal communication is inflexible. If somebody out of the channel intends to change his views it is not possible. Even when it is needed to change, it is very much difficult.
  • Lack of initiative: Under this communication system everybody does their duty by following specific predetermined system. So it makes the obstacle to develop the creativeness of the employee.
  • Authoritarian attitude: In this system the sender is higher authority and the receiver is lower staffs. Generally the superior’s order cannot be disobeyed. It creates an authoritarian culture in the organization.
  • Lack of cordiality: In the formal communication system the subordinate staffs strictly follow the order of superior authority. So the implementer of the order does not obey their duty properly.
  • Costly: In this system the organization policy and rules are obeyed properly. Sometimes it creates crucial situation and it is a time being factor. For these, the cost of formal communication system is higher than those of others.
  • Others: Lack of personal relation, delay in decision making, not suitable for motivation, creates misunderstanding, create mental distance.
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Filed Under: Internal Communication Tagged With: Advantage of formal communication, Disadvantage of formal communication

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lisa Gardner - Thomas says

    November 9, 2015 at 12:55 pm

    I find this form of communication insightful! Statistic of population wise In and if used any in State of Washington and in what areas? Pretty interesting! Website!

    Reply
  2. Intranet Software says

    December 14, 2015 at 11:46 pm

    The info is helpful. The organizations today are using the internet to create organizational forums where members of the organization can discuss about various issues and get a solution.

    Reply
  3. Livinus T Liberius says

    October 14, 2017 at 8:08 pm

    It is nice since it gives very good explanations which is understandable

    Reply
  4. belaynesh afework says

    January 9, 2018 at 12:40 pm

    there is on impossible

    Reply
  5. epaphura calamine says

    October 23, 2019 at 1:55 pm

    they are interesting and understandable

    Reply
  6. Kiru johal says

    November 22, 2019 at 11:24 pm

    😍😘 Good explanation ….Thanks so much ……😘😘

    Reply
  7. Ally mfinanga says

    December 3, 2019 at 3:10 pm

    Ooooooh my god this is amaizing I love this🙏🙏💪💪

    Reply
  8. Irene Gichuhi says

    March 3, 2020 at 11:25 am

    Wooowww…..good explanation👌

    Reply
  9. Peter says

    February 27, 2021 at 4:57 pm

    I like. it is good explanation thank you a lot

    Reply
  10. Tsamenyi Elvis says

    June 15, 2021 at 12:55 pm

    I like your answers

    Reply
  11. RUTENDO says

    September 14, 2021 at 1:03 am

    good explanation thank you so much

    Reply
  12. RUTENDO says

    September 14, 2021 at 1:04 am

    NICE explanation thank you so much

    Reply
  13. ANANIA MYEGA says

    November 27, 2021 at 2:24 pm

    Well!

    Reply
  14. ester zakayo says

    November 30, 2021 at 12:47 am

    Thank you for good explanation

    Reply
  15. Grace Wanjiru says

    January 26, 2022 at 10:20 pm

    The explanation had enabled me to understand more ,,, thanks 😊😊

    Reply
  16. Binwell Ng'andu says

    March 14, 2022 at 9:56 pm

    Well, very understood keep it up

    Reply
  17. brian says

    January 26, 2023 at 5:43 pm

    thanks for the stuff its useful

    Reply
  18. Lilian Brown says

    February 20, 2023 at 9:17 pm

    This was really helpful

    Reply
  19. CAMPWITHMOM says

    December 4, 2024 at 9:31 am

    This is a great overview of formal communication! I appreciate how you highlighted both the advantages and disadvantages. It’s interesting to see how while formal communication can enhance clarity and professionalism, it can also create barriers or slow down decision-making. I’d love to hear more examples of how these dynamics play out in different organizations!

    Reply
  20. Y2meta says

    January 23, 2025 at 6:28 pm

    I found this post on formal communication really insightful! The advantages you mentioned, like clarity and professionalism, definitely stand out. However, I can also see how the disadvantages, such as rigidity and slower decision-making, can be challenging in fast-paced environments. It’s a great reminder that the key is finding the right balance for effective communication in different contexts!

    Reply

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