Which of the following forms of communication do cross-functional teams rely heavily on?
A) downward
B) upward
C) reciprocal
D) lateral
E) virtual

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cross-functional teams consist of members from different functional areas within an organization who work collaboratively on a project or initiative. In such teams, communication flows horizontally or laterally among team members, as they need to share information, coordinate tasks, and solve problems together. Thus, cross-functional teams rely heavily on lateral communication, which refers to exchanges between colleagues at the same level who have different roles and responsibilities. This type of communication allows team members to leverage diverse perspectives, expertise, and feedback to achieve common goals. Downward communication involves messages from higher-level managers to lower-level employees, while upward communication refers to messages from lower-level employees to higher-level managers. Reciprocal communication denotes the mutual exchange of messages between two or more parties. Virtual communication involves the use of technology-mediated channels to transmit information across physical and/or temporal distances. While some of these forms of communication may be relevant for cross-functional teams, lateral communication is the most essential for their performance and success.

Which of the Following Forms of Communication Do Cross-Functional Teams