What is a communication network?

Communication networks often follow predefined rules and use official channels. They are also mostly confined to written form, in other words, text, but there are some communication networks, such as ones used for video conferencing and voice calls that use verbal communication methods.

Communication networks tend to use communications that have these characteristics:

• Rationality

• Structure

• Goal or objective-orientation

Rationality is used in communication networks to reduce personal biases and is often dictated by a set of rules and routines within an organization. These guidelines apply to internal communications in the form of:

• Internal emails

• Group emails

• Internal Instant Messages (like Slack, etc.)

• Video conferencing applications (like Zoom, Skype, etc.)

Communication networks' dependency on rationality makes it impersonal, focusing on specific positions or roles within an organization, instead of personal attributes. It is meant to be simple, clear, and easy to understand, and is also often based on an organization's individual hierarchy. Communication networks must have structured communications.

This means communications should be:

• Explicit

• Prescriptive

• Involves information that applies to all or some of the employees of an organization

Communication networks tend to be used for goal or objective-oriented tasks, meaning they will contain directives or prescriptions for specific tasks that must be completed efficiently to achieve a desired outcome. Most communication networks are strictly task-related and seek to improve the productivity of an organization's employees.