Communication Network

There are different types of network of communication. Communication Network

means the channels by which information flows. Networks can be of two types :

(A) Formal Network and

(B) Informal Networks.

(A) Formal Networks : Formal network are used for task-related communications.

These are generally vertical type and follow the authority chain. Widely used formal

networks are as follows :

              (1) Chain network

              (2) Wheel network

              (3) All channel network.

1. Chain Network : The formal chain of command strictly followed in this type 0:

network. Chain network can be depicted as follows : 

2. Wheel Network : Here leader plays the key role. Other members depend on the

leader for group communication. It is as follows:

3. All Channel Network : This network allows all group members to communicate

 with  each other freely. It can be shown by the following configuration :

(B) Informal Network : Informal Networks do not follow authority chain. Here

information can move to any direction freely. There are four informal networks :

              l. Single strand chain.

              2. Gossip chain.

              3. Probability chain and

              4. Cluster chain.

1. Single strand chain : It indicates the passing of information by a long line. Here

the 1^st  person tells to 2nd person who tells the message to 3rd person and so on. This

process continues to the last receiver.

2. Gossip chain : Here the leader is the pivotal person. All flows of information ha\

to pass through the leader. This is also ‘known as restricted Network.

Personal Communication Network

The way through which a person communicates with others is known as personal

communication network. Depending on the flow of information and degree of freedom for

feedback there are different types of personal communication networks. According to

Betty R. Ricks and Kay F. Gow three basic personal communication networks are as

follows :

           l. Open Networks

           2. Restricted Networks

           3. Closed Network

1. Open Networks : In this type of networks feedback from the receivers are

encouraged. There are complete freedom for feedback and diagonal communication. Each

member can communicate with others freely.

Features: 

(i)      freedom for feedback;

(ii) diagonal or cross communication is allowed;

(iii) open environment for exchange of information.

          open networks can be depicted as follows:

2. Restricted Networks : In restricted networks there is a key person who act as a

`hub’. Messages are exchanged with and through this key or pivotal person. There are

scopes for feedback but diagonal communication is not allowed.

  Features :

   (i) freedom for feedback;

   (ii) diagonal communication is not allowed;

   (iii) a key person acts as a hub for exchange of information.

Flow of information in restricted networks can be shown as follows :

3. Closed Network : There is no scope for feedback in a closed network. ln this case

 person provides the information but feedback is not possible. This is an one-way flow

of information.

Features :   (i) one-Way flow of information;

                             (ii) no scope for feedback.

 Closed network can be illustrated by the following figure: