Few topics have received more attention in both academic and practitioner literature than communication. In this discussion, “communication” refers to the field and process of communication, whereas the plural, “communications,” refers to individual messages sent or received. In the contexts of large and small groups, interpersonal relations, communication theory, the general political realm, and even relations between nations, communication has been the focus of intensive research as well as practical application.

This attention is not unprecedented, however, particularly in the context of public organizations. Every major theory of organization has included (explicitly or implicitly) assumptions about the nature, roles, and processes of communication in various organizational settings. Observers of organizations traditionally approached the subject by attempting to define the types and flows of communication.

There are many types of organizational communications. One of the most important distinctions is between formal and informal. Formal communication is official written documentation within an organization, including email, memos, minutes of meetings, and records. They form the framework for organizational intent and activity. Informal communication are all forms of communication, other than official written documentation, among members of an organization. They supplement official communications within an organization.

In this era of participatory management in both the public and private sectors, all employees are being asked to address a wider range of organizational problems. Upward flows of communication have increased in importance and can contribute measurably to the effective functioning of an organization.

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