Factors Deteriorating the Effectiveness of Downward Communication
Although organizations extensively use downward communication, effectiveness and success of this communication is hindered by some factors. These factors are discussed below:
Incompleteness: Sometimes it is observed that executives send message to their subordinates without any explanation and clarification. As a result, the subordinates cannot understand the agorae meaning of the message and often confuse what to do. In such a situation, downward communication cannot reach its goal.
Suspecting attitude: It is a normal phenomenon that subordinates always suspect and distrust their superiors. Consequently, they always hesitate whether to abide by the instructions of their superiors. This also hindered the success of downward communication
Lack of idea from whom to receive information: Subordinates should be directly supervised by one superior. But in some cases, due to complexities in organization structure the subordinates do not know who is their supervising boss, from whom they will receive orders and instructions. This also hamper efficacy of downward communication.
Neglecting attitudes of executives: Sometimes top-level executives send information to the lower level subordinates by neglecting the immediate subordinate. This subverts the organization structure and creates future problem in smooth flow of information of downward communication.
Finally, we can conclude that attention should be given to the above stated factors to make downward communication effective and successful.
