Cross information

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A cross-information (also: horizontal information ) is spoken of within a communication structure at authorities or companies if one office forwards information directly to another office without the regular official channels being followed.

General

The transverse information is the result of a Fayolian bridge , in which positions communicate with each other horizontally and, as an exception, disregard the vertical hierarchy principle. The information is not provided vertically via the respective superior , but directly horizontally from point to point:

        ┌─────────────────────┐  
    ┌───┴──────┐          ┌───┴──────┐
 ┌──┴──┐    ┌──┴──┐    ┌──┴──┐    ┌──┴──┐
 A1    B1   C1    D1   E1    F1   G1    H1
┌┴┐   ┌┴┐  ┌┴┐   ┌┴┐  ┌┴┐   ┌┴┐  ┌┴┐   ┌┴┐   
A B   C D  E F   G H  1 2   3 4  5 6   7 8
        ┗━━━━━━━━━━┛
     Querinformation

In the diagram, D communicates with G horizontally, although he would have to communicate vertically with his superior B1.

Reinhard Höhn differentiated between three information paths in hierarchies , namely the information of the superior through his employees and vice versa and the cross-information between employees at different levels and areas. So that superiors do not have to fear that information is being exchanged "behind their backs", the employees have to inform their superiors retrospectively about cross-information that has been received.

Passerelle

Henri Fayol , after the Fayolsche bridge ( French passerelle , [ pɑsʀɛl ]) is named, the problem of long lines of communication had recognized, but the guidance target responsibility given priority. At Fayol, the official channels are only exceptionally put into perspective by the Fayol Bridge if lateral communication between two offices is permitted with the tolerance of the superior. Also in the cooperation between staff units and line units and the cooperation between staff units, the direct traffic route between these units is common.

Organizational aspects

In the case of direct traffic ( cross information ), the organizational units come into direct contact with each other, both in vertical and horizontal traffic. Only employees of the same rank are allowed to use this information channel. This is the only way to prevent higher-ranking employees from “sneaking out” information from lower-ranking employees of another line that they are not entitled to.

The cross-information is one of the three exceptions to the principle of official channels: It must take place between positions on the same level and is only permitted if the recipient of the information needs the information immediately in the work process ( time pressure ) or is at risk of delay . In work instructions or service instructions it can be specified when and which cross-information may take place; if necessary, the official channel must be made up later. If there is no regulation, cross-information is not permitted. Almost all single-line systems tend to form Fayol bridges on all hierarchical levels; Cross information is common here.

economic aspects

Strict adherence to the official channels involved more people than necessary, because they may also get information not for her utility bring. As a result, many people have to do with the same message without it being useful or necessary for their tasks. For this reason, strictly hierarchically organized companies or authorities are becoming more cumbersome. In addition, this process is more time-consuming, because in the diagram D would have to inform his superior B1, he would have to inform his superior C1 and only he would have to inform G. This could lead to a loss of information (“ silent mail ”), which could possibly result in wrong decisions .

The organizational means of cross information, on the other hand, reduces the risk of deteriorating information quality or even loss of information because it passes through fewer instances. They are addressed directly to the recipient without having to go through instances that do not need this information. Empirical studies show that up to 66% of communication in companies is cross-information.

Others

The so-called "short official channel" or "small official channel" describes colloquially a direct, informal communication with simultaneous violation of the specified information channels in the sense of cross information. It is therefore not a matter of official channels, but a euphemistic designation for a possibly contrary to duty.

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Henri Fayol , Administration Industrielle et Générale , 1917, p. 38
  2. Reinhard Höhn / Gisela Böhme, Management Brevier der Wirtschaft , 1974, p. 102
  3. Reinhard Höhn / Gisela Böhme, Management Brevier der Wirtschaft , 1974, p. 78
  4. Hans-Jürgen Kratz, Successful Leadership from AZ , 2017, p. 115
  5. Ewald Scherm / Gotthard Pietsch, Organization: Theory, Design, Change , 2007, p. 168
  6. ^ Howard Nothhaft, Communication Management as Professional Organizational Practice , 2011, p. 234
  7. Max Helbling, Communication in Human Resource Management , 2011, p. 21
  8. Dieter Holzinger, The organizational connection paths and problems of their general and mutual dependencies in commercial enterprises , 1962, p. 77 f.
  9. Reinhard Höhn / Gisela Böhme, Management Brevier der Wirtschaft , 1974, p. 36
  10. Olaf V. Uhde, Structure-Induced Communication Conflicts in Organizations , 1996, p. 57
  11. Reinhold Sellien / Helmut Sellien (eds.), Gablers Wirtschafts-Lexikon , 1980, Sp. 2116
  12. Edwin and Sauter-Sachs, Towards an Integrated Concept of Management Efficiency , in: Management International Review 33, 1993, p. 86