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CMA Foundation · Fundamentals of Business Laws and Business Communication · Introduction to Business Communication

A head office sends a circular through five levels of management before it reaches the shop floor. By then, the content is shortened and altered, and key deadlines are missing. Which statement best identifies the barrier and the usual remedy?

This is an organisational barrier, specifically filtering and distortion through too many levels of hierarchy. The suitable remedy is to shorten the chain, use direct channels such as a circular to all, or give written confirmation, so the message reaches the shop floor intact.

  1. APersonal barrier; remedy is to increase salaries
  2. BSemantic barrier; remedy is to use only technical terms
  3. CPhysical barrier; remedy is to shift to a quieter office
  4. DOrganisational barrier of filtering across levels; remedy is to shorten the chain and use direct channels or written confirmationCorrect

Explanation

Passing a message through many levels causes filtering and distortion, an organisational structure barrier. The remedy is to reduce the number of levels or send the message directly or with written confirmation. Changing salaries, using technical terms or moving offices does not address the loss of content in transit.

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