Human resources

Table of Contents

1. Topic pack - introduction
2. 2.1 Human Resource Planning - Notes
3. 2.1 Human resource planning - questions
4. 2.2 Organisational structure - notes
5. 2.2 Organisational structure - questions
6. 2.3 Communication - notes
   1. Communication
   2. Communication classification
   3. One-way and two-way communication
   4. Verbal / oral communication
   5. Non verbal communication
   6. Types of written communication
   7. Formal and informal communication
   8. Barriers to effective communication / noise
   9. Information and communication technology (ICT)
   10. Communication networks
7. 2.3 Communication - questions
8. 2.4 Leadership and management - notes
9. 2.4 Leadership and management - questions
10. 2.5 Motivation - notes
11. 2.5 Motivation - questions
12. 2.5 Motivation - simulations and activities
13. 2.6 Organisational and corporate cultures - notes (HL only)
14. 2.6 Organisational and corporate cultures - questions
15. 2.7 Employer and employee relations - notes (HL only)
16. 2.7 Employer and employee relations - questions
17. 2.8 Crisis management and contingency planning - notes
18. 2.8 Crisis management and contingency planning - questions
19. Printable version

One-way and two-way communication

A one-way communication is where there is no facility and/or expectation of a reply or feedback. An advertisement or notice on a board is an example. Its advantages are that is simple, quick and cheap. However, it allows no clarification or opportunity to correct inaccuracies and this may cause frustration in the receiver. It is often associated with authoritarian leadership and downward channels of communication.

Two-way communication is more time-consuming because the receiver has the opportunity to feedback and to question what has been said or written. The receiver is invited to contribute to the process so this kind of communication is often associated with democratic forms of leadership. If the message is complex, two-way communication is far more effective, and probably accurate, than one-way communication.