Wednesday 16 January 2013

Communication Barriers

INTRODUCTION

Communication is a very important element in the delivery of information, mission, vision and all aspects of an organization. The objectives of an organization can only be achieved, understood and appreciated with effective communication. Effective communication will be drive the organization to new heights level. Any technology, as rich as individual, as strong as any building an organization but when there are communication barrier within the organization it will be shaken well and will have internal problems. When there is effective communication, mission, vision, objectives of the organization will be understood and appreciated by every employee and can drive the organization to a higher level of communication between individual and the other individual. Effective communication between individual builds a strong organizational culture (Parsons, 2012).

In communication there are some elements that are explained by Scramm that there was a sender and receiver. Sender will perform as well as encode to receiver. This transition will occur when there is feedback rotate between sender and receiver. The sender will send a verbal message to the recipient verbal or through a medium or without medium either directly or using equipment either opposed or confronted (Croft, 2004). When the recipient gets the message it will do feedback to the sender and the receiver upside down question would be about the sender. Clear explanation can be explained by a modified diagram Scramm communication model (Singhal).

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Model Of Communication (Schramm, 1954)

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The Shannon-Weaver Mathematical Model. (Dobra, 2008)

Element in this communication will determine the quality of communication and that's what happened in the communication of an organization. A good organization has good elements and complete in communication. Any problem in communication within the organization it will reduce the effectiveness of the communication.

In determining the effectiveness of communication within the organization which may well use a medium such as memos, letters, reports, bulletin boards, handbooks, newsletters and so on. Some organizational use a verbal media, choices include face-to-face conversations, telephone, computer, television, tape-recorded messages, sound or slide shows, e-mail, and so on (Lunenburg, 2010).

Effective communication is the communication that there is no barriers that is too heavy to be understood and barriers that can not be resolved. Barriers in communication model found in Schramm is noise. There are many barriers in the communication like process barriers, physical barriers, semantic barriers, and Psychosocial barriers (Eisenberg, 2010). The main barriers in the communication barriers is communication process itself in a model of communication that is available and the second is Psychosocial barriers. Lunenburg was explained that there are 14 barriers in the communication that is Sincerity, Empathy, Self-perception, Role perception, Efforts to distort the message, Images, Vehicle, Ability to Communicate, Listening Ability, Culture, Tradition, Conditioning, Noise and Feedback (Lunenburg, 2010). The other also state that the communication barrier consists of writing, language barriers, barriers of time and distance, medium used, and the human element itself (Could, 1969). While aspects of Technical, Infrastructure / Support Services, Social, Prerequisite Skills, Motivation, and Time / Interruptions also a barrier in communication (Dabaj, 2011). Lubomir describes that method breakdown, Recipient breakdown, chain of command, language, vague goals, medium, message passing, location and distraction are the things that often happens in organizations (Lubomir, 2007).

In these explanation, I would conclude the cause of communication barriers in only five of the many barriers that described and I will explain collectively these barriers easy to understand. It will discuss the barriers to communication such as Process Barriers, physical barriers, semantic barriers, Psychosocial and cultural barriers (Eisenberg, 2010).

COMMUNICATION BARRIERS

1. Process Barriers

Process Barriers are barriers to the communication process itself. In the model Schramm, Noise it is the communication barrier that truly effective communication disorder. When people are talking, noise from the external aspect of the conversation would disturb up to take it and actually have an impact on the effectiveness of the communication in organization. For example, an employer is giving orders to his subordinates in the meeting room but at the same time there are a number of barriers that cause orders not be delivered effectively to the subordinater like vacumm, road accidents, airplane and so on will to cause disruption in delivering the message to the recipient. Employees who hear instructions will be misbehaving and losing concentration and thinking of other aspects. Sounds accident under the office would interfere with the employee is not aware because there was thinking about the accident. The accident it will affect the communication between the employer with subordinates. Although brief but thought the employee was distracted. Although employers can only give directions but they will be wondering whether the sound accident is the sound their car. Anxiety is an barrier in the communication itself.

Additionally, in the process barriers, the communication model has been described that there are two things involved the sender, receiver, message and the medium used. When one is not in the process. It will make communication actually does not exist and when this happens it means the organization has experienced a communication breakdown. If in the process of communication no one identified, it as a whole disturbing. In the absence of the sender or recipient, communication as a whole did not happen. If an employer want to give instructions to its employees but subordinates was on vacation and could not be reached, meaning the process barrier occurs no receiver mean no transmitter.If the sender and the receiver is there on the same time there is no medium used or the message, it will also be totally disrupted. Whether the medium is non verbal and verbal such as telephone conversations, face to face, in writing, memos, letters and so on. Employer in an organization can not delivering messages or instructions if no medium itself. If the message to be conveyed is not up to the actual receiver it will bring problems in the organization and make communication ineffectiveneas. Such interference will take time to resolve because the employee is required to find or understand to whom the order is given and the instructions are actually directed and the same time the organization communication is actually not effective.

2. Physical barriers

Physical Barriers are barriers in the physical form. Lubomir explain that a physical barrier is defined as internal communications or equipment used. Phone calls, communication by fax, internet, telex and other electronic equipment are also said to be physical barriers (Lubomir, 2007). Walls, barriers, mirror, telephone boxes, and many more of a physical nature is a barrier in communication. Even are person also said to be a physical barrier. Although communication can occur, but the understanding of the communication that occurs possibility is different from what we want.Barriers such as glass wall is the most obvious example. \Employers can scold an employee with a glass wall behind the sign language but does the employee understand the whole conversation employers through the glass wall only.

Besides personal position that we want to send the message is also important. A person who speaks without looking physically employees face is a very poor communication. No disrespect in a conversation. Similarly, when an employer does not ignore the environment where they are. Geographical differences also factor into these communication barriers. For example, an employer who is London can not give orders to employees who were in Kuala Lumpur at 3 pm from London because in Kuala Lumpur during that time was eleven o'clock (Ganesh, 2009).

3. Semantic barriers

Semantic Barriers are word used in communication. Different sentences used is important in effective communication. When we are in different organizations and have different knowledge. The language we use must be on terms that are commonly used. Mouse in the language of technology is a tool to use in conjunction with the keyboard and the mouse in ordinary language is an animal. Target group here is very important in determining effective communication. Semantic Barriers should be adopted by the genre, including public communication (Askehave, 2003). In semantic barriers also an employer needs to know the current situation and the individuals within the organization. Deaf or hearing problems (Collier, 2012), older people have less memory (Sparks, 2007) and so should be considered in managing apply to a organization. When communication is performed because of hearing problems (Watson, 1984) then it is called Semantic barriers. Native language is also to be found in any one organization. For example 'AUK' in brunei language means 'yes' and a 'AUK' in Kadazan-Dusun means 'no'.

4. Psychosocial barriers

Psychosocial barriers are the biggest barriers in the organization. Lunenburg point Psychosocial barriers to the 14 elements of Sincerity, Empathy, Self-perception, Role perception, Efforts to distort the message, Images, Vehicle, Ability to Communicate, Listening Ability, Culture, Tradition, Conditioning, Noise and Feedback (Lunenburg, 2010) . While Golen describes it ot Attitude, Ideas, Reaction, Perception, Information Overload, Status, Timing and Speaking Loudly (Golen, 1984), Dabaj tells of the hidden barrier, resistance to new technology, Fear from technology, feeling, lack of direct feedback and no pressure to respond (Dabaj, 2011). Whatever communication expert opinion it still revolves around the individual and social community. In Psychosocial barriers, what to be explained is related to the individual's own either external or attitude. Great communication barriers in Psychosocial barrier is about honor, particularly title to a person by gender, status and type of titles we select (Russman, 2009). For example, for a married woman use the term 'Madam' is more accurate than 'miss'. Such barriers cause there is communication breakdown, the receiver may not be longer perform communication with senders.

In addition. Conditioning is also a barrier in communication. Uncomfortable conditions cause listeners less interested in communication and active listening forces also disrupted. There is also interference in communication terms provide responses and feedback as if the listener can not provide responses and feedback. When the listener can not provide responses and feedback, which means there are barriers to communication. A good communicator will see the reaction, perception and appropriate timing to deliver the message to the listener and to check that the listener does not get bored with the information overload and tones used are not using loudly speaking.

5. Culture Barriers.

Culture is a point in the social field according to Lunenburg. Less familiar culture of location is also a factor in the communication barrier. With the language we already know. Like Bongawan use language as language imitating peninsular Malaysia. When a person going to Tawau, the use of language 'We' do not mean 'we' but 'you', it's different from the areas around Kota Kinabalu. The term 'kau' in the culture of the peninsula it is the use of coarse language but the culture of the people of Sabah, it is commansense. Even when a person to ride around Kota Kinabalu you will hear the use of the term 'boss' also drivers already are 'boss' there call that's the culture of Sabah.

WAYS OF OVERCOMING THESE BARRIERS

According to the American Management Association (1955) there are several ways to overcome communication barriers. Namely (Bolarinwa, 2009);

· Clarify of ideas

· Examination of purpose.

· Understanding of human and physical environment

· Planning, consultation and discussions

· Request for support and approval

· Weigh and consider the content and also the overtones of the message

· Communicate helpful and palatable messages

· Actions must be congruent with communication

· Listen well to get the organization move forward.

Based on this, we can say that although there are communication barriers to create effective communication, there are several ways to overcome it barriers (Stoner, 1999).

1. Clarify your ideas before communicate. Before starting the conversation to make sure we have know idea. Keep it clear in advance. Make sure we have set goals and how to communicate ideas and to whom it is to be served.

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Message of Communication (Dobra, 2008)

2. Examine the true purpose of each communication. Before you communicate, ask yourself what you really want to accomplish with your message - obtain information, initiate action, change another person's attitude? Identify your most important goal and then adapt your language, tone and total approach to serve that specific objective.

3. Understanding of the human and physical environment. That means we know beforehand that we want to talk to human and environment there. Good employer would get angry when subordinates call into the room so as not to embarrass there employees infront there partner. That social climate pervades the work Relationships Within the company or department and sets the tone of its communications; custom and past practice - the degree to Selatan your communication.

4. Planning, consultation and discussions, in planning communications. Such consultation often helps to lend additional insight and objectivity to your message. Moreover, those who have helped you plan your communication will give it their active support.

5. Weigh and consider the content and also the overtones of the message, while you communicate, of the overtones as well as the basic content of your message. Your tone of voice, your expression, and your apparent receptiveness to the responses of others - all have tremendous impact on those you wish to reach. Frequently overlooked, these subtleties of communication often affect a listener's reaction to a message even more than its basic content.

6. Request for support and approval, when it arises, to convey something of help or value to the receiver. Consideration of the other person's interests and needs.

7. Communicate helpful. While communications may be aimed primarily at meeting the demands of an immediate situation, they must be planned with the past in mind if they are to maintain consistency in the receiver's view; but, most important of all, they must be consistent with long-range interests and goals. For example, it is not easy to communicate frankly on such matters as poor performance or the shortcomings of a loyal subordinate - but postponing disagreeable communications makes them more difficult in the long run and is actually unfair to your subordinates and your company.

8. Actions must be concruent with communication. In the final analysis, the most persuasive kind of communication is not what you say but what you do. For a manager, this means that good supervisory practices - such as clear assignment of responsibility and authority, fair rewards for effort, and sound policy enforcement - serve to communicate more than all the gifts of oratory.

9. Listen well to get the organization move forward. Be a good listener. When we start talking we often cease to listen - in that larger sense of being attuned to the other person's unspoken reactions and attitudes. Listening demands that we concentrate not only on the explicit meanings another person is expressing, but on the implicit meanings, unspoken words, and undertones that may be far more significant.

CONCLUSION

For conclusions, Communication is the process of transmitting information and common understanding from one person to another. The elements of the communication process are the sender, encoding the message, transmitting the message through a medium, receiving the message, decoding the message, feedback, and noise. A number of barriers retard effective communication. Process barriers, physical barriers, semantic barriers, psychosocial barriers and culture barriers. To improve the effectiveness of communications, all manager, employer must be have good skill in communication. Communication with the people around us is something that we do everyday in our lives.

In many organizations, there are many different types of media used either in person or is not face to face. for example, e-mail is a communication tool that many people use today. Mobile phones are also used in communication. but a other communication methods. but not a way to convey important messages and urgent. To find out whether it is important or not, it depends on how communication is implemented. Whether it is effective or ineffective. How information is transmitted (sent, coding, receiving and decoding) that you are communicating with (what is their preference for communication style), what is the message and how its importance?.

In this situation, effective communicators know that listening is just as important as talking. Even if someone expresses their thoughts and feelings very well; if the other person isn't listening, the message won't get across. Listening to the other person not only means you're hearing what they're saying, but also trying to understand what they're trying to convey. Future managers and leaders must strive to become powerful communicators by acquiring good perception of their target audience and being precise in their expressions. They should have good command over the process of reshaping opinion of their audience and remain both friendly and congenial in their disposition. In Management communications play a crucial role in setting corporate objectives, formulating strategies and facilitating management through planning, organizing, staffing, leading and controlling. Effective communication structures are a core component to implementing effective communication patterns and evoking a strong culture to shape a more effective organization.

 

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Tulisan: Mazuin Mustapa

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