Communication Barriers (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Business): Revision Note

Introducing communication barriers

• Barriers to communication hinder the flow of information, leading to potential misunderstandings, conflicts and inefficiency

Main barriers to communication

Problems caused by communication barriers

Language or terminology

• When employees use complex or technical language that others do not understand, the message can be misunderstood or ignored

  • For example, a manager sends an email with financial jargon that non-finance staff cannot follow, leading to confusion about budget limits

Poor timing

• Messages sent at the wrong time can be missed or cause stress

  • For example, telling employees about a major change at the end of a busy shift may lead to frustration or lack of attention

Information overload

• If people are given too many messages at once, they may ignore or forget important details

  • For example, a long email covering ten topics may result in staff missing a key update about health and safety

Noise and distractions

• Background noise or interruptions make it difficult to focus on the message

  • For example, announcements made in a loud factory might not be heard clearly by workers.

Technology problems

• Delays or failures in communication systems can stop messages from being delivered or received

  • For example, an important video meeting is missed because the link didn’t work or the internet connection failed

Lack of feedback

• If no feedback is given, the sender cannot be sure the message was understood correctly

  • For example, a team leader sends a task by email but receives no reply, leading to delays in completing the work

Wrong method chosen

• Using the wrong communication method for the message or audience can cause misunderstandings

  • For example, posting a notice about a sudden meeting change may not reach all employees in time

How can communication barriers be reduced or removed?