Certified Hospitality Manager (CHM) Practice Exam

What is organizational communication?

1. The way in which members of an organization interact to accomplish goals

2. Only formal communication between management and staff

3. A vague way of relaying information

4. The use of technology to communicate updates

The correct answer is: The way in which members of an organization interact to accomplish goals

Organizational communication is defined as the way in which members of an organization interact to accomplish goals. This encompasses both formal and informal communication channels, facilitating the flow of information, ideas, and feedback throughout the organization. It involves various levels of interaction among employees, management, and stakeholders, which is crucial for fostering teamwork, collaboration, and a shared understanding of objectives. The emphasis on accomplishing goals highlights the purpose behind organizational communication; it is designed to enhance efficiency, productivity, and engagement within the workforce. By understanding and improving communication practices, organizations can align their teams towards common objectives, ultimately driving success. Other options offer a more limited or distorted view. For instance, formal communication is an essential aspect of organizational communication but does not capture the entirety of how members interact and collaborate. Describing organizational communication as vague overlooks its structured and purposeful nature, and the notion that it relies solely on technology ignores the many face-to-face and other non-digital forms of interaction that also play a vital role in effective communication.