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

In a firm, the sales executive of the Mumbai unit sends a query directly to the accounts manager of the Pune unit, who is in a different department and at a higher level, without going through their respective superiors. This flow is best classified as:

This is diagonal or crosswise communication, since it passes between people at different hierarchical levels in different departments without following the line of command. Horizontal communication would need peers at the same level, while upward and downward flows occur within a single reporting line between superior and subordinate.

  1. ADiagonal (crosswise) communicationCorrect
  2. BDownward communication
  3. CHorizontal communication
  4. DUpward communication

Explanation

Diagonal communication occurs between persons at different levels in different departments, bypassing the formal chain. Horizontal needs the same level; upward and downward fail because the two are in different functions and not in the same line of command.

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