Toward a Theory of Organization Communication: Consideration in Channel Selection

Abstract

The primary purpose of this paper is to facilitate a more systematic approach to develop ment of a single theory of ad ministration from the present formal and informal theories. It limits its focus to deter mining when the use of formal communication channels, infor mal channels or some combina tion thereof contributes to the effectiveness of the administra tor and when verbal, written or some combination of these methods facilitate an admini strator's effectiveness when using the formal and informal networks. Clarification of the alternatives available to the ad ministrator is attained by the specification of channels and methods of using them.

This article appeared in the March 1967 Journal of the Academy of Management. It is reprinted by permission.