How does informal organisation support the formal organisation?

Informal organisation refers to a complex network of relations that arises out of the social interactions outside the office. They originate from within the formal organisation and are not deliberately created by the management. These relations are based on the friendship which develops between the working personnel on the basis of like nature. Following are the factors of informal organisation that support the working of formal organisation.

(i) Free Flow of Communication: Informal organisation helps in establishing a free flow of communication. It allows the workers to form informal relations outside the organisation. This facilitates faster spread of information, thereby assisting the formal organisation. For example, if A needs to talk about a problem to E. In a formal structure he’ll have to follow a scalar chain which may lead to delay in finding a solution for it. Thus, he can discuss it over lunch, thereby, shortening the length of communication.

(ii) Coordination: Through informal relations, working people develops a sense of belongingness towards each other and towards the organisation. This helps them over the working place as well. It promotes coordination among them by developing mutual trust and understanding. Thereby, it results in lowering down the rate of conflicts between the people. For example, if A and B are friends outside the office, then, they will work in coordination with each other at the work place as well.

(iii) Organisational Objectives: Along with the personal goals, informal relations help in fulfilling the organisational objectives as well. The managers can interact with the workers informally and assess their reactions on various matters. They can ask the workers for their suggestions and ideas regarding the inadequacies in the formal structure. Thereby, contributing to the overall organisational objectives in a better way.

(iv) Harmonious Environment: By developing healthy relationships, informal structure helps in building a harmonious working environment. It encourages cooperation between the people and maintains a peaceful environment at work. For example, if C and D have a dispute over some matter. They can discuss it outside the office and solve it without harming the formal working environment. Thus, conserving the amiable working environment.

(v) Efficiency and Productivity: Informal organisation fosters efficiency among the working personnel. By contributing to their well-being, it helps in increasing their productivity. Such relations help in fulfilling the social and psychological needs of the employees and thereby, increase their efficiency.

The informal organisation offers many benefits. Important among them are given as follows 

(i) Quick Feedback: Prescribed lines of communication are not followed. Thus, the informal organisation leads to faster spread of information as well as quick feedback. 

(ii) Social Needs: It helps to fulfill social needs of the members and allows them to find like minded people. This enhances their job satisfaction, since it gives them a sense of belongingness in the organisation. 

(iii) Organisational Objectives: It contributes towards fulfilment of organisational objectives by compensating for inadequacies in the formal organisation e.g., feedbacks on new policies etc can be tested through informal network.

The informal organisation offers many benefits Important among them are given as follows

1. Quick feedback: Prescribed lines of communication are not followed. Thus, the informal organisation leads to faster spread of information as well as quick feedback.

2. Social needs: It helps to fulfill social needs of the members and allows them to find like minded people. This enhances their job satisfaction, since it gives them a sense of belongingness in the organisation.

3. Organisational objectives: It contributes towards fulfilment of organisational objectives by compensating for inadequacies in the formal organisation e.g., feedbacks on new policies etc can be tested through informal network.