ContentsBusiness Communication Defined...............................................................................................................2

Social Environment Theory..........................................................................................................................2

Rhetorical Theory........................................................................................................................................3

Semantic Barrier..........................................................................................................................................3

Physical Barriers..........................................................................................................................................4

For Writing Mode....................................................................................................................................4

For Speaking Mode..................................................................................................................................4

Attitudes & Values.......................................................................................................................................4

Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................5

References...................................................................................................................................................5

Business Communication DefinedIn all areas of business such as clerical, technical, management and social positions effective

communication in writing and speaking is useful. In every job description today we can find

strong communication skills listed by organizations’ doing the advertisement of job vacancies

because communication is a prime responsibility in various fields, i.e. sales, marketing, teaching,

public relations, marketing professionals, customer relations and labour relations etc (Singh,

2009). For the purpose of keeping strategies and goals up front, the organization uses best

strategy i.e. to use communication effectively at all levels including, suppliers, customers,

employees and shareholders etc. Because managers make decisions constantly, effective

communication will allow them to understand company goals clearly and ultimately increasing

the chances of decisions taken to be beneficial for the company (Guffey, Loewy, 2013). Now we

will discuss some barriers or constraints that can be faced while communicating with employees

and shareholders.

Social Environment Theory This theory outlines a very important factor which can be a solid constraint while

communicating with employees within the organization. According to this theory we need to

understand the culture and the rules of the organization while communicating with employees

and shareholders i.e. both written official rules which includes practices and policies of the

company and the unwritten rules as well (Guffey, Ellen, 2010). For example, we must consider

the social context and the situation in which we are communicating. This theory has highlighted

important constraints that should be considered while communicating with employees and

shareholders within the organization.

Rhetorical Theory This theory adds more variety about the communication process issues for us to understand.

According to this theory communication is circular instead of linear i.e. it is not about only

sending a message and receive no response or static, but it is about creating response or dynamic.

According to Eisenberg et, al (2007) for business communicators in organizations, it is even

more important because while communicating with shareholders it is essential to stick with

accuracy and with employees it is essential to produce desired response which is only possible

when we have this constraint under control i.e. the linear aspect of communication has to be

undertaken while communicating within the organization.

Semantic Barrier This barrier is mostly considered in verbal & non- verbal communication because a very basic

rule of communication states that the symbols used while communication by the sender must

contain the same message in both the receiver’s minds and the sender’s minds. While

communicating with shareholders and employees this barrier needs to be considered because if

symbols used while communication contain different meanings for employees and shareholders,

it can produce negative results and damage the purpose communication. Communication with

employees and shareholders include sensitive information and messages which if perceived

different can produce adverse results. Even though it is very difficult to be sure that the message

is sent clearly via symbols as it was intended and differences in semantic understanding can

happen anytime, but a careful consideration to this constraint can minimize the chances of this

error to happen (Corrado, 2008).

Physical Barriers As we all know that words are not the only aspect on which a communication consists especially

when we talk about corporate communication and organizational communication where we have

to communicate with employees and shareholders on consistent basis. Your audience, the content

of presentation or document and your own physical experience are another set of barriers.

Various physical barriers can interrupt and create problems to even good ideas while

communication. For example according to Tanner & Raymond, (2011):

For Writing Mode For written mode while having a meeting with shareholders & employees there are several

possible constraints such as unreadable word processor, jagged or jammed margins, physical

blocks, unclear photocopies and un- structured content etc.

For Speaking Mode Possible constraints for speaking mode while communicating with shareholders and employees

are, slamming doors, blowing air conditioning, speaking too quickly, not enunciating, ringing

telephones and mumbling etc. These constraints can divert the attention of the employees and

their interest in communication, so they need to be considered while starting organizational

communication.

Attitudes & ValuesBoth attitude and personality are complex cognitive process. The positive and optimistic attitude

while communicating with shareholders and employees can lift the entire meeting and can

impact them a great deal by communicating the intended message with conviction, ultimately

producing successful results. However, a pessimistic, hostile and un-enthusiastic attitude can be

a constraint while communicating with employees and shareholders, ultimately producing

negative and un-intended results. According to Hooker, (2008) overcoming this constraint can

help in managing cultural differences as well while communicating in an organizational context.

ConclusionThe list of constraints while communicating with employees and shareholders can go on, but as

per our understanding a broad category for these constraints can be cultural values and social

norms especially when they come under the organizational umbrella where things are more

complex. All other constraints somehow fall under this category if the organizations possess a set

culture. Adherence to cultural and social values probably makes it easy to overcome the

communication constraints within an organization.

References1. E.M. Eisenberg, H.L. Goodall, & A. Trethewey, A. (2007). Organizational

communication: Balancing creativity and constraint, 5th ed. Boston: Bedford/St.

Martin’s.

2. Frank M. Corrado, (2008) Communicating with employees: Improving Organizational

Communication. Axzo Press.

3. Guffey, Mary Ellen. (2010). Essentials of Business Communication. 8th ed. Thomson

Southwestern.

4. John Hooker, (2008) Cultural Differences in Business Communication. Tepper School of

Business, Carnegie Mellon University.

5. John F. Tanner Jr. and Mary Anne Raymond, (2011) Principles of Marketing & Business

Communication. One Bridge Street Irvington, NY. Flat World Knowledge, Inc.

6. Kevin Finch, Chris Hansen and Rick Alexander, (2010) Internal Communications.

Province of Nova Scotia, Crown Copyright. [Online] Available<

http://novascotia.ca/cns/pubs/ItsNotRocketScience.pdf> Accessed [31-03-2013].

7. Marry Ellen Guffey, Dana Loewy, (2013) Essentials of Business Communication. South-

Western, Cengage Learning.

8. Manisha Singh, (2009) Business Communication. Think Tanks. Biyani Group of

Colleges, Biyani Shikshan Samiti.