(a) Explain any four organisational barriers to communication.

Organisational barriers to communication : 1. Organisational policy: If the organisational policy, explicit or implicit, is not supportive to free flow of communication, it may hamper effectiveness of communications. 2. Rules and regulations: Rigid rules and cumbersome procedures may be a hurdle to communication. Also, communications through prescribed channel may result in delays. 3. Status: Status of superior may create psychological distance between him and his subordinates. A status conscious manager also may not allow his subordinates to express their feelings freely. 4. Complexity in organisation structure: In an organisation where there are number of managerial levels, communication gets delayed and distorted as number of filtering points are more. 5. Organisational facilities: For smooth, clear and timely communications if facilities such as frequent meetings, suggestion box, complaint box etc. are not provided, free flow of communications may be hampered. Or Q (b). State any four characteristics of directing function of management. Characteristics of Directing: 1. Directing initiates action in the organisation, while the other functions (that is planning, organising and staffing) performed by the manager prepare a setting for action. 2. Directing takes place at every level of management that is from top executive to the supervisor wherever superior – subordinate relations exist. 3. Directing is a continuous process that takes place throughout the life of the organisation irrespective of people occupying managerial positions. 4. Directing flows from top to bottom through the organisational hierarchy such that every manager can direct his immediate subordinate and take instructions from his immediate boss.