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    The Business CommunicationThe Business Communication
    Home » Internal Communication » Advantage and disadvantage of formal communication

    Advantage and disadvantage of formal communication

    By Masudur Rashid20 Comments3 Mins Read Internal Communication
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    Merits or advantages or important of formal communication:

    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.
    • 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.
    Advantage of formal communication Disadvantage of formal communication
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    Masudur Rashid
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    👋 Hi, I am Masudur Rashid. I studied Management (Honors and Masters) but my real passion has always been Business Communication. Through this blog, I share simple tips, lessons, and resources to help students and professionals communicate with confidence.

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    View 20 Comments

    20 Comments

    1. Lisa Gardner - Thomas on November 9, 2015 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 on December 14, 2015 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 on October 14, 2017 8:08 pm

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

      Reply
    4. belaynesh afework on January 9, 2018 12:40 pm

      there is on impossible

      Reply
    5. epaphura calamine on October 23, 2019 1:55 pm

      they are interesting and understandable

      Reply
    6. Kiru johal on November 22, 2019 11:24 pm

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

      Reply
    7. Ally mfinanga on December 3, 2019 3:10 pm

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

      Reply
    8. Irene Gichuhi on March 3, 2020 11:25 am

      Wooowww…..good explanation👌

      Reply
    9. Peter on February 27, 2021 4:57 pm

      I like. it is good explanation thank you a lot

      Reply
    10. Tsamenyi Elvis on June 15, 2021 12:55 pm

      I like your answers

      Reply
    11. RUTENDO on September 14, 2021 1:03 am

      good explanation thank you so much

      Reply
    12. RUTENDO on September 14, 2021 1:04 am

      NICE explanation thank you so much

      Reply
    13. ANANIA MYEGA on November 27, 2021 2:24 pm

      Well!

      Reply
    14. ester zakayo on November 30, 2021 12:47 am

      Thank you for good explanation

      Reply
    15. Grace Wanjiru on January 26, 2022 10:20 pm

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

      Reply
    16. Binwell Ng'andu on March 14, 2022 9:56 pm

      Well, very understood keep it up

      Reply
    17. brian on January 26, 2023 5:43 pm

      thanks for the stuff its useful

      Reply
    18. Lilian Brown on February 20, 2023 9:17 pm

      This was really helpful

      Reply
    19. CAMPWITHMOM on December 4, 2024 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 on January 23, 2025 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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