THE ESSENCE AND FUNCTIONS OF COMMUNICATION IN MANAGEMENT: CLASSIFICATION AS A TOOL FOR MANAGING INTERACTION AND DECISION-MAKING

Abstract

The article presents a theoretical and applied synthesis of modern approaches to interpreting the concept of “communication” in management, marketing, public administration, and the social sciences. It substantiates that the polysemy of the term complicates the formation of a unified and controllable communication policy in organizations. The absence of a clear systematization of communication types, their functions, and application logic often leads to fragmentation of managerial actions instead of establishing a coherent interaction process that ensures coordination, decision stability, and predictability of results. Recent Ukrainian research shows a transition from descriptive interpretations of communication toward a managerial approach, in which communication acts as an infrastructure for coordination and decision-making, linked to digital transformation and behavioral factors within organizations. The study outlines interdisciplinary perspectives on communication (linguistic, philosophical, psychological, social) and emphasizes the need to combine a “mechanistic” view (transmission of information) with an activity-based approach focused on meaning co-construction, contextuality, and participant engagement. The distinction between the purpose of communication (mutual understanding, coordination, maintaining relationships, decision alignment) and specific managerial tasks (strategy design, channel selection, message clarity, dialogue facilitation, and risk management) is clarified, allowing communication to function as an effective management tool. Communication functions as a social process are systematized (integrative, socializing, cognitive, corrective, mnemonic, and synchronizing). A classification of communications is proposed as a methodological framework for managing communication policy across key dimensions: content, function, form, managerial goals, information flow direction, and interaction environment. The approach enables organizations to consciously choose message types and formats according to managerial objectives, improving coherence, reducing risks, and enhancing the quality of decisions.