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You are here: Home / Types of Communication / What is vertical communication? Types of vertical communication

What is vertical communication? Types of vertical communication

Posted By The Business Communication 11 Comments

Within an organization when communication occurs among persons of different positions, stage system vertical communication. It is a kind of internal communication. In this type of communication, information moves completely and from bottom to top. When information moves all the way through or from superiors to subordinates, it really is known as downward communication. On the other hand, when information flow form bottom to top or form subordinates to superiors, stage system upward communication. Here information may be transmitted through formal or informal channels.

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    • Types or Varieties of vertical communication
  • These two types of communication are explained below:
    • Downward communication
    • Upward communication

In the following, we are quoting some definitions of vertical communication;
L. C. Bovee and his associates opined, “Vertical communication is a flow of information up and down the organizations hierarchy.”

According to Stoner and Freeman, “Vertical communication consists of communication up and down the organization’s chain of command.”

Ricky and W. Griffin defined, “Vertical communication is communication that flows both up and down the organization, along formal reporting lines.”

The following diagram represents the vertical patterns of communication:

What is vertical communication and Types of vertical communication

In conclusion, we can say that vertical communication occurs when information flows either form superior to subordinates or form subordinates to supervisor within an organization structure.

Types or Varieties of vertical communication

When information flows from superiors to subordinates or from subordinates to superiors, method Vertical communication. In accordance with its nature, vertical communication is especially classified inside the following 2 types:

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  • Downward communication and
  • Upward communication

These two types of communication are explained below:

Downward communication

Downward communication occurs information flows much better than subordinates. Superiors send information, orders, instructions, decisions, etc. for their subordinates through downward communication. Downward communication could possibly be of written or oral. Written forms of downward communication are manuals, handbooks, notices, electronic news displays, etc. whereas, face-to-face conversation, telephonic conversation, speeches, meetings, etc. include the oral media of downward communication.

Upward communication

Upward communication occurs when information flows from subordinates to superiors in the organization hierarchy. The aim of upward communication is usually to provide information for the managers from subordinates. Generally, subordinates convey their failings, attitudes, opinions, suggestions, complaints, etc. making use of their superiors through this communication. Upward communication is initiated with the lower to the next stage the organization and reaches the content up the management hierarchy.

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Filed Under: Types of Communication Tagged With: Difinetion of vertical communication, Types of vertical communication, Varieties of vertical communication, What is vertical communication

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Florence says

    September 27, 2014 at 3:37 pm

    You have pasted good piece of information but due to literature work and referencing, it would be good if you add the names of those who posted the piece and the year.
    Thank you.

    Reply
  2. Abubakar Saadu Bebeji says

    February 5, 2016 at 11:38 pm

    Your page will be useful to the students as well as their teachers, so thank you for this recordable contribution.

    Reply
  3. Julia says

    August 31, 2017 at 3:45 am

    Yes I agree also information is good it needs names of authors for referencing.

    Reply
    • The Business Communication says

      August 31, 2017 at 12:22 pm

      Author name is: Masud & Bappi

      Reply
      • tove einarsson says

        March 11, 2020 at 4:46 pm

        Can you post the surname as well? Would really like to use this as a reference.

        Thanks!

        Reply
  4. idrissa kargbo says

    November 4, 2017 at 7:59 pm

    i love the way you answer my question vertical communication

    Reply
  5. festus festo says

    November 23, 2017 at 2:42 pm

    have enjoy the way the idea beings shared. thanks a lot and bring more

    Reply
  6. Ticha Masiiwa says

    March 26, 2018 at 1:45 pm

    thank u so much for the information. may u plz help me with guidelines on how the following question can be tackled.
    with special reference to an organisation of ur choice, xplain how the following channels of communiction can be utilised:
    a. vertical comm downwards
    b. ” ” upwards
    c. horizontal comm
    d. diagonal comm

    Reply
  7. Prince Abia says

    February 8, 2019 at 1:54 am

    This information is very good for both the students and teacher, but it could have been better you include the author’s name and year of publication.

    Reply
  8. Paul K Zulu says

    February 13, 2019 at 1:50 pm

    wow, i like this

    Reply
  9. Karen says

    May 31, 2022 at 12:59 pm

    Please write full information of scholars, anyway the information about the vertical comm is good. Thank you

    Reply

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