Meaning of Upward Communication
When information flows from subordinates to superiors, it is called upward communication. The purpose of upward communication is to provide information to the managers from subordinated. Through this communication, subordinates convey their opinions, suggestion, compliance etc. to their superiors. The lower-level employees initiate up ward communication and the message ultimately reaches to the upper-level management. It may take place in the form of feedback of downward communication. Some definitions of upward communication are mentioned below:
According to Ricky W. Griffin, “Upward communication consists of messages from subordinates to superior.”
In the opinion of Weihrich & Koontz, “Upward communication travels from subordinates to superiors and continue up the organizational hierarchy.”
Boone, Kurtz and Block said, “Communication that flows from a supervisee to a supervisor, is known as upward communication.”
According to L. C. Bovee and others, “Upward communication is the flow of information from lower level to higher levels in the organization.”
Bartol and Martin defined. “When the vertical flow of communication is from a lower level to one or more higher levels in the organization. It is known as upward communication.”
The following figure represents the upward now of information:
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that the communication where information flows from subordinates to superiors is as upward communication. Upward communication conveys information related to periodic updates, requests for data, clarification and directives and requests for additional financial support.
