What is a communication network? What is its significance in the organizational scheme of things?

What will be an ideal response?

Answer: An identifiable pattern of communication that occurs with some regularity within and between organizations, whether using formal or informal channels, is typically called a communication network. Put another way, communication networks are stable systems of interconnections; networks involve consistent linkages between particular sets of senders and receivers.

The importance of communication networks to managers is that they can provide significant and regular information (both of the formal and informal type) that might otherwise take a much longer time to obtain. This is especially so if various communication links had to be set up "from scratch" each time a new issue or problem came up. Also, when managers are members of established networks, it can make it easier for them to influence the other people or groups involved in the networks. Consequently, for both of these reasons, managers need to pay particular attention to what networks they can, and want to, be a part of, and to the composition of those networks. It is no accident that the term networking has come to signify a process that has the potential for gaining advantages for a manager (or anyone for that matter). It helps to have one or more sets of individuals with whom one can interact easily and regularly, thereby building a sense of confidence and trust. Research has shown, in fact, that networking—building and maintaining contacts both within and outside an organizational unit—can have positive effects on salary growth and career satisfaction.