Barriers of Effective Communication            

Communication is not always successful.

Certain barriers in communication affect the clarity, accuracy and effectiveness of the. message. These barriers humper the growth of communication and relegate it to the status of a conversation where feedback is not expected.

If either the speaker or the listener has problems in adjusting his frequency with the co-interactants barriers would automatically be created.

The barrier to communication of information can broadly be grouped into the following categories.

A. Institutional Impediment                                                                 

There are three basic institutional impediments. These are-

i. Status of a person and organization

Information mainly flows among equal level of status. It is very difficult for person of lower status to enter into such network of information.

ii. Structural (Hierarchical)

Information flows from top to bottom or from bottom to top level in administrative hierarchy.

iii. Secrecy (Fear of Losing)

Managers and officials sometimes fear that if they provide the information to somebody else their own secrets will be lost.

B. Organizational Barriers                                                                   

This types of barriers develops due to the problems with physical distance between members with respects to their functional specialization of tasks, power, authority and status relationship, values held, and ownership of information.

1. Organizational attitude.

2. Organizational rule and regulations .

3. Status of relationship.

4. Structural complexities.

5. Inadequate organizational facilities.

6. Noise

• This Barriers reffer to the hindrances is the flow of information among hierarchy structures and functional structures etc. Eg. Functional specialization.

C. Individual / Emotional / Psychological Barriers                            

The problem of this barrier arises due to differences in individual competencies to think and act. which would include physical aliments or handicaps. It is also because of individual skills in receiving and transmitting information, which would include poor listening and improper reading skills and adverse psychological conditions.

1. Premature evaluation

2. In - attention

3. Loss in transmission

4. Under-reliance on written message

5. Failure of communication

6. Filtering

7. Either or thinking

8. Assumptions

9. Snap reaction

10. Differing perception

•This barriers due to the emotional character, traits and mental capabilities and limilation of human beings Eg. Poor Retention.

D. Financial Barriers                                                                           

Financial barriers are of the following types -

i. Rising cost in production of document 

It reduced the production of the document and reduced the purchasing power of the user.

ii. Portal and other transportation charges.

iii. Cost in running libraries and information centres pushed libraries to shift from free services to fee based service.

iv. Currency exchange and import controls some countries have import restrictions for certain classes of literature.

v. Dwindling Budgets

The dwindling budget of libraries and individual toward information procurements.

vi. Royalties

The scope of royalties increases the price of the literature.

E. Semantic / Language / Linguistic Barries                                      

The linguistic barriers can be of the following types

i. Inter Linguistic problem

ii. Intra language problem

Jargon is such an neologism (coining or using of new words), Synonyms (words formed similar meaning), acronyms (words formed from the initial letter of a nome), etc.

Semantic Barriers : Different people assign different meanings to one specific message. This is due to the problems with meaning, significance, and the sending and reception of the meaning and content of the massage.

i. Faulty language

ii. Defective translation

iii. underlying assumptions not clear

iv. Use of technical words or jargon

v. Different evaluation and meanings.

•The Barriers are caused by a misunderstanding between the sender and receiver arising due to different interpretations (meaning) of words, signs, and other symbols. Power and status cause such misunderstandings.

F. Technological Barriers / Technical Barriers                                   

They are barriers which arise due to technological advancements in the field of communication. Technology generates lot of information, which it beyond the capacity of the recipient. Further, the media advancements on account of technological process increase the barriers. The ideas and massage have to reach from the transmitter to receive in the same sense. If it does not happen, it is on account of barriers in communication.

Overcoming Communication Barriers : —

Following points should be kept in mind in order to overcome different communication barriers : -

1. Constructive environment should be created for expression of ideas.

2. Proper communication channel should be used to transfer ideas / information.

3. One should try to maintain a positive attitude while communicating by being open minded.

4. One should use direct, simple language and avoid words that have more than one meaning.

• The barriers are due to limited access to relevant, appropriate and useful hardware and software.

5. Free flow of information should take place between different levels both vertically and horizontally.

6. One should try to understand the ideal / information through proper listening before giving feedback.

The technical barriers can be of the following type -

i. Poor presentation of documentary products.

ii. Less number of copies.

iii. Lack of special system / equipment - certain classes of documents need special equipment for reading or viewing, ex. Microfilm / fiche.

iv. Complicated system - The complicated nature of system needs lot of patience and practice to get the required information.

v. Lack of Awareness - Many of the users are not aware as to what services are available and what service can provide him the needed information.

vi. Underqualified staff of libraries / documentation centres.

vii. Lack of proper organizational structure.

viii. Lack of bibliographical control tool.

G. Cross Cultural / Geographic Barriers                                             

Culture is a shared set of values and attributes of a group. The communication barriers are also seen because of time geographic locations, and the effects of time upon reception of the message and other cross cultural factors.

H. Physical / Channel / Media Barriers                                              

Physical Barriers / channel and media barriers: The effectiveness and accuracy of communication is also affected by the physical barriers like distance, noise or channel and the media used in the process.

In this category, problems that confront the media used in the process. In this category, problems that confront the issue of how best to communicate a message are included.

They are the most obvious barriers. These include noise, closed doors. faulty pieces of equipment etc.

I. Cultural Barriers                                                                               

The barriers are due to different norms of social interaction in different culture.

J. Personal Barriers                                                                              

The barriers are products of experiences and factors such as attitude, emotion and behaviors for eg. fear of challenges to authority.

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