Everything you need to know about the meaning of communication. Communication is an integral part of human existence. It is communication that contributes to success or otherwise of every human activity.

Communication is a process through which an information idea or opinion is transferred to more number of persons. If information is communicated to only one person, it will also be termed as communication.

But, the essential element of communication is that the communicated information should be understood correctly and transferred in the right direction.

Learn about the meaning of communication according to different authors like Charless E. Red Field, Newman and Summer, M. W. Cunning, Keith Davis, Theo Haimann, Billy J. Hedge, William Scott and Others.


What is the Meaning of Communication?

Meaning of Communication – According to Charless E. Red Field, Newman and Summer, M. W. Cunning, Keith Davis, Theo Haimann, Billy J. Hedge and a Few Others

Communication is the passing of information. Communication is necessary for better performance of job. A manager works through the co-operation of others. Therefore, he should communicate the policies, plans, programmes of management to the workers. Communication ends only when it reaches the destination. Communication is also a part of the function of management.

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The term ‘Communication’ is derived from the Latin word ‘communis’ which means common. Thus, information common to a person should be communicated to him. Literally, communication means to inform, to tell, to show or to spread information. It creates confidence among human beings and enhances good industrial relations.

Communication is a process through which an information idea or opinion is transferred to more number of persons. If information is communicated to only one person, it will also be termed as communication. But, the essential element of communication is that the communicated information should be understood correctly and transferred in the right direction.

According to Louis A. Allen, “Communication is the sum of all the things, one person does when he wants to create understanding in the mind of another. It involves a systematic and continuous process of telling, listening and understanding.”

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Charless E. Red Field, “Communication is the broad field of human interchange of facts and opinions and not the technologies of telephone, telegraph, radio and the like.”

Newman and Summer, “Communication is an exchange of facts, ideas, opinions or emotions by two or more persons.”

M. W. Cunning, “Communication is the process of conveying messages (facts, ideas, attitudes and opinion) from one person to another so that they are understood.”

Keith Davis, “Communication is defined as the process of passing information and understanding from one person to another.”

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“It is essentially a bridge of meaning between people. By using this bridge of meaning, a person can safely cross the river of misunderstanding that separates all people.”

Theo Haimann, “Communication, fundamental and vital to all managerial action, is the process of imparting ideas and making oneself understood by others.”

Billy J. Hedge, “Communication can be thought of as an attempt to achieve as complete and as accurate an understanding as possible between two or more people. It is an act characterised by a desire in one or more individuals to exchange information, ideas or feelings. This desire is implemented by using symbols, signs, actions and pictures as well another verbal arid non-verbal element in speaking and writing.”

William Scott, “Communication is a process which involves the transmission and accurate replication of ideas ensured by a feedback for the purposes of eliciting actions which will accomplish organisational goals.”

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D. K. Mc Farland, “Communication may be broadly defined as the process of meaningful interaction among human beings. More specifically, it is the process by which meanings are perceived and understanding is reached among human beings.”

Fred G. Meyer, “The act of making one’s ideas and opinions known to others.”

Herbert A. Simon, “Communication may be formally defined as any process whereby decisional premises are transmitted from one member of an organisation to another.”

Cyril I. Hudson, “Communication in its simplest form is conveying of information from one person to another.”

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Koontz and O’Donnell, “Communication is an intercourse by words, letters, symbols or messages and is a way that one organisation member shares meaning and understanding with another.”

C. G. Brown, “Communication has been defined as the transfer of information from one person to another, whether or not it elicits confidence. But the information transferred must be understandable to the receiver.”


Meaning of Communication – As Given by Different Authors and Management Thinkers

Different authors and management thinkers defined the term communication differently. According to Willim Scott, “Communication is a process which involves the transmission and accurate application of ideas, ensured by feedback for the purpose of eliciting actions which will accomplish organisational goals.”

According to Prof. Das Gupta, “To communicate is to inform, to tell, to show or to spread information. Whatever it’s etymological meaning from the managerial point of view, communication is the means by which a management gets its job done, it can affect both the morale and efficiency of employees…. Communication is a skill of management.”

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According to McFarland, “Communication is a process of meaningful interaction among human beings. More specifically it is the process by which meanings are perceived and understandings are reached among human beings.”

According to Ordway Tead, “No business can exist without communication.”

Luthan defines communication as “the transmission of commonly meaningful information. It is a personal process that involves the exchange of behaviours.”

Theo Haimann defines, “communication fundamental and vital to all managerial action is the process of imparting ideals and making oneself understood by others.”

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Allen defines, “Communication is the sum of all the things one person does when he wants to create understanding in the minds of another. It is a bridge of meaning. It involves a systematic and continuous process of telling, listening and understanding.”

M. W. Cumming defines “Communication is a process of conveying messages (facts, ideas, attitudes and opinions from one person to another so that they are understood.)”

According to Kelly it is a “field of knowledge dealing with systematic application of symbols to acquire common information regarding an object or event.”

Sigbond views communication as “the transmission and reception of ideas, feelings and attitudes both verbally and non-verbally eliciting a response. It is a dynamic concept underlying all kinds of living systems.”

Thus communication can be finally defined “as a process of transmitting information, ideas, facts, opinions, attitudes, feedbacks, problems, difficulties etc. from top level to bottom level and from bottom level to top level as well as from person to person i.e. intraocular with a view to meaningfully understanding them by others so that activation and interaction can be achieved and ensured in proper direction.”


Meaning of Communication 

Communication plays key role in the success of a manager. How much professional knowledge and intelligence a manager possesses immaterial if he is not able to communicate effectively with his subordinates and create understanding in them. Directing abilities of a manager mainly depend upon his communication skills.

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This is why organization always emphasizes improving communication skills of managers as well as employees. The word communication has been derived from the Latin word “communis” which means “common” which consequently implies common understanding.

It means when any idea, data or information spreads from its origin and become known to other sources and people. Therefore, communication may be defined as an exchange of facts, ideas, opinions or emotions to create mutual understanding.

“Communication is an intercourse by words, letters, symbols or messages and is a way that one organization member shares meaning and understandings with another.” – Koontz and O’Donnel.

“Communication is the art of developing and attaining understanding between people. It is the process of exchanging information and a feeling between two or more people and it is essential to effective management.” – Terry and Franklin.

“Communication is the process by which people attempt to share meaning via transmission of symbolic message.” – Stoner and wankel.

Communication is defined in indifferent ways. Generally, it is understood as a process of exchange of ideas, views, facts, feelings etc., between or among peoples to create common understanding.


Meaning of Communication 

Communication is an integral part of human existence. It is communication that contributes to success or otherwise of every human activity. Humans and animals communicate. A baby comes to convey its feelings like hunger, wants, satisfaction, sleep, etc.

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A dog barks to alert the master on noticing a stranger and withering crops cry for water. Corporate entities convey information through management information system, decision support system, strategic information system etc., to run the business. Communication enables a person to contact one another and makes, himself understood.

As man is a social animal, he wishes to express his feelings and emotions, and to exchange information. An organization is considered to be a group of persons constituted to achieve certain specific objectives. It is communication that eases coordination and integration which in turn leads to attainment of certain predetermined objectives.

The expression ‘business’ stands for any economic activity undertaken to earn profit and the communication undertaken in the process of goal attainment is termed as business communication. It is the lifeblood of any organization. It includes oral, written, gestural, upward, downward, horizontal, inward, outward and diagonal communication.

Communication can be defined in many ways. A few well known definitions are presented below which explain the nature of communication.

“Communication is the sum of all the things a person does when he wants to create an understanding in the mind of another. In involves a systematic and continuous process of telling, listening and understanding”. — Allen Louis

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Communication has been defined “as the transfer of information from one person to another, irrespective of whether or not it elicits confidence”. — Koontz and O’ Donnell

“Communication is an exchange of facts, ideas, opinions or emotions, by two or more persons”. — George Terry

Communication is defined as “the process of passing information and understanding from one person to another. It builds bridges of meaning between people, enabling them to safely cross the rivers of misunderstanding”. —George Vardman in his book ‘Effective Communication of Ideas’

Effective communication is “purposive interchange, resulting in workable understanding and agreement between the sender and receiver of a message”. — Keith Davis

“Communication is an interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information, through speech, writing or signs”. — Robert Anderson

“Communication is the process by which information is passed between individuals or organizations by means of previously agreed symbols”. — Peter IMtle

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“Communication is any behaviour that results in an exchange of meaning”. —The American Management Association

“Communication may be broadly defined as the process of meaningful interaction among human beings. More specifically, it is the process by which meanings are perceived and understandings are reached among human beings”. — D.E. Mc Far land


Meaning of Communication – With Definitions Given by Keith Davis and C.G. Brown  

Every business organisation is in the form of a human group which is established to achieve certain objectives. The accomplishment of the objectives becomes possible by having proper coordination among various human activities. The work of every individual working in the organisation is connected with the work of other individuals. It means that there is some connection between the works of different individuals.

In order to establish proper relation among the works of various individuals, exchange of ideas is very important which is possible only through communication. Thinking over something is not enough but in order to make it meaningful it has to be placed before other people and when we are doing so the process of communication is in progress. Thus, placing your ideas before others is communication.

These days the importance of communication has increased with the increase in the level of business. No single individual can accomplish a work single-handed. Division of work and specialisation are developing and this gives rise to the feeling of cooperation. In order to encourage mutual cooperation it is important that the people working in the business should be informed about the objectives of the enterprise. It is equally important for them to know the relationship among various works.

This can be done only through communication. It is important to make it clear at this point that the importance of communication is not limited to the business alone but it is needed in government works, army, hospitals, homes, etc.

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The word communication has been derived from the Latin word ‘communis’ which means ‘common,’ meaning thereby common among two or more than two people, in equal measure. In this way communication means sharing thoughts among two or more than two people. Thus, under communication the sharing of thoughts among different people is done in such a manner that the listener is receiving them in the same spirit with which they are being told.

The following definitions of communication have been given by different scholars of management:

According to Keith Davis, “Communication is the process of passing information and understanding from one person to another.”

According to C.G. Brown, “Communication has been defined as the transfer of information from one person to another, whether or not it elicits confidence or becomes an exchange or interchange. But the information transferred must be understandable to the receiver.”

Two things come out vividly from the ideas presented by various scholars about communication. Firstly, the exchange of facts, ideas, opinions or emotions, and secondly, the receiver should receive in the same spirit with which these things are being communicated to him. Therefore, it is not enough for a superior to give orders but it is equally important to see whether they are being received properly or not.

It is very important to understand the message clearly from the point of view of organisational efficiency. Thus, higher the extent of degree of understanding in communication, more will be the possibility that the different individuals to move rapidly towards the attainment of the pre-determined objectives of the enterprise.


Meaning of Communication – With the Views Given by Wibur Schramm,  Louis A Allen, Koontz and O’Donnell and D. E. McFarland

Communication is the nervous system of an organisation. It keeps the members of organisation informed about the internal and external happenings relevant to the task and interest. The success of an organisation depends very much upon the co-ordinated efforts of people working at different levels to achieve the common goal, only effective communication can integrate thoughts and efforts of the people. Without communication the very existence of the organisation is in danger. It is a managerial skill based upon human behaviour.

Communication is a process of passing information and understanding from one person to another. Communication is a system through which two or more persons come to exchange ideas and understanding among themselves, In other words, communication means the imparting, conveying or exchange of ideas, knowledge, etc., whether by speech, writing or signs.

The term communication is derived from the Latin word ‘Communis’ that means ‘common’ and thus if a person affects communication he has established a common ground of understanding. Literally, communication means to inform, to tell, to show or to spread information. Thus, communication may be interpreted as an interchange of thought or information to bring about understanding and confidence for good industrial relations. It brings about unity of purpose, interest and efforts in an organisation.

(1) Wibur Schramm has said that “the essence of communication is getting the receiver and the sender ‘tuned’ together for a particular message.”

(2) Louis A Allen has said -“Communication is the sum of all the things one person does when he wants to create understanding in the mind of another. It is a bridge of meaning. It involves a systematic and continuous process of telling, listening and understanding.”

(3) According to Koontz and O’Donnell -“Communication is a way in which one organization member shares meaning and understanding with another.”

(4) According to C. G. Brown -“Communication is the transfer of information from one person to another, whether or not it elicits confidence. But the information transferred must be understandable to the receiver.”

(5) D. E. McFarland has said -“Communication may be broadly defined as the process of meaningful interaction among human beings. More specifically, it is the process by which meanings are perceived and understandings are reached among human beings.”

To conclude from the above definitions communication does not merely mean sending or receiving message. It is much more than that. It includes proper understanding of the message, its acceptance and action on it. In the broadest sense, communication refers to the whole process of man’s life in relation to the group and includes an exchange of information, a system of communicating and a process by which meanings are exchanged among human beings.


Meaning of Communication

An organisation is a group of two or more than two people, who collectively work to achieve organisational goals. Selection of goals and their achievement can only be possible if human activities are coordinated.

In organisations, work is divided among various persons, which is needed to be coordinated, because there is a close inter-relationship between works of different individuals. In order to establish the coordination, thoughts, ideas and suggestions are transferred and this transfer is possible only through communication.

The word communication is derived from the Latin word “COMMUNIS” which means common, i.e., common among two or more people in equal measure. In this way, communication means sharing thoughts or ideas among two or more persons.

A person spends most of his time in communication, i.e., in writing, reading, speaking, listening, etc.

As far as groups are considered, no group can come into existence or survive without communication. Existence of group demands for exchange of ideas, thoughts, information, etc., which requires communication.

Communication not only involves transfer of ideas, thoughts, information, it also includes understanding of the meaning. Receiver of information must understand it, in the same sense of the sender.

According to C.G. Brown, “Communication has been defined as the transfer of information from one person to another, whether or not it elicits confidence or becomes an exchange or interchange. But the information transferred must be understandable to the receiver.”

In words of Keith Devis, “Communication is the process of passing information and understanding from one person to another.”

According to Koontz and O’Donnell, “Communication is an intercourse by words, letters, symbols or message, and is a way that one organisation member shares meaning and understanding with another.”

Louis Allen states, “Communication is the sum of all the things one person does when he wants to create understanding in the mind of another. It is a bridge of meaning. It involves a systematic and continuous process of speaking, listening and understanding.”

According to Hudson, “Communication in its simplest form is conveying of information from one person to another.”

The American Management Association defines communication as “any behaviour that results in an exchange of meaning.”

In essence, communication is a process of exchange of ideas, thoughts, facts, opinions, etc. and receiver should receive the content in the same sense with which they are communicated.


Meaning of Communication

Communication may be defined as:

“An interpersonal process of sending and receiving symbols that have messages attached to them”.

A similar but less technical definition is given by Miller, Catt and Carlson

“The sharing of meaning between the sender and receiver of a message”.

In a managerial and, rather starry-eyed, context communication may be formally defined as:

“An interactive process of providing and passing of information that enables an organisation to function efficiently and for employees to be properly informed about developments. It covers all kinds of information and the channels of transmission”.

This definition is starry-eyed because a quango such as ACAS would find it politically impossible to admit that, in reality, the purpose of much communication is to obfuscate. Governments, politicians and some industrialists expend a huge effort on communications designed to ensure that the public do not appreciate the “real” situation.

The ultimate example must be the email by Jo Moore, an information officer in the British Labour Government. When jets had crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York on 9/11 she realised that it would monopolise media attention and people would not notice domestic news.

Her insensitive and cynical email attempted to obfuscate govern­ment policy by advising other information officers that- “It is now a very good day to get out anything we want to bury. Councillors’ expenses?” Jo Moore’s email is by no means an iso­lated example. Company communications are awash with disinformation.

Presidents and prime ministers routinely express full confidence in colleagues who, backstage, they are forcing to resign. Chief executives of companies about to go bankrupt routinely assure shareholders of the organisation’s financial stability (it gives them time to sell their own shareholdings!). Sales representatives routinely promise their managers that a big new order is “certain next month” (it gives them time to jump ship and find another job!).

In the hierarchical days when Fayol first identified the management processes rep­resented by the mnemonic POSOCRB, communication was synonymous with reporting. Bosses needed information from subordinates in order to co-ordinate their activi­ties and make decisions, It was also acknowledged that bosses needed to communicate to subordinates in order to give orders and instructions. Nowadays, the situation is much more complex. Furthermore, the increased use of teleworking, part-time staff and fixed-contract or short-term employees has made organisational communication much more difficult.

Communication, good or bad, pervades any organisation. Shannon and Weaver (1949) produced what is probably the most thorough analysis of the stages of communication, but subsequent researchers have modified their model.


Meaning of Communication – With the Views of David H. Holt, D.E. Mc Farland, Thes Haimann, Keith Davis and C.G. Brown 

The co-ordination among the employees who are engaged in the different activities of the organisation is possible only through communication which provides for exchange of information, ideas, facts and opinion. Communication is the passing of information and understanding from one person to another. It is an essence of management. The purpose of communication is to supply the necessary information to those to whom it is conveyed for better job performance and active cooperation. Communication is the blood of an organisation. It is essential part of the management function on to know what is going on in the organisation and what type of behaviour of the employees. It is the process by which superiors teach others to manage their work.

The word communication is derived from the Latin word ‘Communis’ which means common. According to Oxford English Dictionary communication means “The imparting conveying or exchange of ideas, knowledge etc., whether by speech, writings or signs”. It is a system through which two or more persons come to exchange ideas and understand among themselves. It act as bridge by which a person can safely cross the river of misunderstanding that separates people. It keeps the employees of the organisation informed about the internal and external happenings relevant to the task and interest. The manager spends most of his time on communicating with the superiors, subordinates, peers and other parties dealing with organisation such as – customers, trade unions, and government officials. Thus, the manager requires communication skills to get results from others.

Some views on communication are as follows:

Communication is the sum of all the things a person does when he wants to create understanding in the mind of another. It is a bridge of meaning. It involves a systematic and continuous process of telling, listening and understanding. David H. Holt

Communication may be broadly defined as the process of meaningful interaction among human beings. More specifically, it is the process by which meanings are perceived and understandings are reached among human beings. – D.E. Mc Farland

Communication is the process of passing information and understanding from one person to another. It is the process of imparting ideas and making one self-under-stood by others. – Thes Haimann

Communication in the process of passing information and understanding from one person to another. The act of communication thus include as transmitting and receiving information from one person to another with a view to create mutual understanding. – Keith Davis

Communication is the transfer of information from person to another, whether or not it elicits confidence. But the information transferred must be understand to the receiver. – C.G. Brown

On the basis of above mentioned views on communication, the communication does must merely mean sending or receiving information. It also includes proper understanding of the information, its acceptance and action on it. It is an integral element of interpersonal behavior in the organisations.


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