Merits and Demerits of Formal Communication

 Merits of Formal Communication :

Formal communication through officially established channels have the following advantages:

1. Orderly Flow of Information : Such communication is systematic and ensures orderly flow of information and ideas.

2.Identified Source : The Sources of Communication Can be easily located.

3. Authentic Information : It is an officially recognised path of communication. Whatever information flows in whatever direction it is presumed to be authentic. 

4. Justification of Authority : It provides support to the authority of superiors over subordinates.

5. Answerability of Actions : Responsibility oft he actions taken on the basis of any formal communication can be easily fixed.

6. Control : Control is facilitated by formal communications providing information about work performance.

Demerits of Formal Communication :

There are various disadvantages of formal communication, some of them are mentioned below:

1. Time Consuming :This type of communication follows the scalar chain of authority and so is a slow moving processes.When it is routed through more than one authority level, it takes too much time.

2. Expensive: It is expensive as it requires lot of administrative work and use of formal channels.

3. Lack of Personal Touch : It is mostly conveyed in an impersonal manner. Personal warmth and involvement may be lacking.

4. Distortion: Accurate information may not be transmitted in view of the likelihood of unfavourable effects of the message or report or to avoid criticism. Even the information may be distorted in the process of transmission, through different levels in the organization.