Distinguishing Information and Communication: Key Differences

Often confused, the terms communication and information nevertheless deserve a clear distinction, which many theorists and practitioners have sought to make. Dimitris WEISS (Dimitri WEISS "Communication et Presse enterprise" quoted by Anni e BARTOLI in Communication et Organisation, Éditions organisations, P59.) believes that it is the purpose rather than the structure of the data transmitted that distinguishes the two notions. Thus, information simply refers to the transmission (including transmission and reception) of structured knowledge, whereas communication consists of exchanges of information with a view to changing the behavior of others.

For P. Joffre and G. Koeing, "the term information concerns situations in which only the receiver plays an active role; whereas the idea of communication deals with interactive relationships"(Quoted in, op. cit, P59. (6) Eugène ENRIQUER, quoted in Communication Audiovisuelle, by Guy CROUSSY, les éditions d'Organisations, 1990, P :146). Eugène ENRIQUER defined communication as follows: "communication is the process by which a source of information A (man, group or machine) tends to act on a receiver of information B, in such a way as to provoke in the latter the appearance of acts or feelings permitting a regulation of the activities of B or of the group to which A and B belong. This makes it possible to specify the nature of communication: controls on activities"(Eugène ENRIQUER, quoted in Communication Audiovisuals, by Guy CROUSSY, les éditions d' Organisations, 1990, P :146).

The Nature of Communication

To communicate, then, is to strive to transform others, the most unlikely change in context being the one that brings about the greatest change in the receiver's behavior. Philippe BILGER has defined communication as "a social character which, happily pushed to its limits, constitutes the manifestation of solidarity. It is not just like information for others, but with others. Compared to advertising, communication is distinguished not only by the apparent nature of the exchange, but also by the rejection of a form of imperialism: that of information and slogan. Communication is not a slogan, but an effort to participate. It calls on intelligence, and not only takes freedom into account, but also needs it. Communication cannot be conceived without a community spirit; it is designed to forge links and free initiatives as well as words. In this sense, it brings together citizens rather than subjects. Within the company or towards the outside world, communication doesn't impose but suggests, doesn't dictate but lets people know. It is precisely in this freedom that its strength lies (Philippe BILGER Quoted in, Management de la Communication enterprise, Patrick D' HUMIERES, EYROLLE S,1993, P: 21)".

Communication as a System of Exchange

Communication is first and foremost a system of exchange between living organisms. Indeed, we see that the act of communication, performed by one individual, triggers, in response, a change in the behavior of another individual. It includes all the mechanisms by which a relationship is created, exists, is maintained over time, is reinforced or disappears. In this sense, communication presupposes the spatial networks that carry information from one point to another, a zone of meanings and an organization that manages exchange values. It implies an understanding of the signs that make up the message, not only the ability to spot them, but also the capacity to analyze them through a series of transformations and associations between figure and meaning.

In a communicative act, the sender's aim is to inscribe his message in the receiver's memory. But to achieve this, the message must first cross the threshold of the temporary memory, which depends on the receiver's cognitive activity, particularly his "recollection" of the message. Recollection means not only repetition, but also elaboration of the message's meaning.

Pure information methods do not involve "feedback". There is indeed a transmission, but the transmitting source no longer knows anything about the destiny or fate of its message. Of course, the word "information" also implies the existence of receivers, but these remain theoretical, abstract, virtual or ideal, as long as they do not manifest themselves, as long as the sender is not informed about the conditions of reception, the intelligibility of the message, the reactions of the receivers.

In other words, while information suggests the existence of an open circuit of the form A⇴⇴B with no return, communication, on the contrary, implies the closing of the sender/receiver circuit, creating the following loop: A ⇴⇴ B ⇴⇴ A

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The Effects of Communication

Resulting in the following effects:

Increased security for B, less worry, tension, doubt... more job satisfaction, more sympathy.
Increased trust between A and B
Facilitates subsequent communication because of mutual learning of codes, norms and roles, and subsequent stabilization of the relationship.

In all cases, it appears that:

Information flows in one direction only, from sender to receiver.
Communication goes in several directions, with each sender becoming a receiver and vice versa, in the same communication sequence.

The Company's Role

The company is therefore concerned on several levels:

Information: As a transmitter of messages to the outside world or to Inside; - As a receiver of messages to be picked up and analyzed, whether from the outside or the inside.
Through communication: As a vector of interactive exchanges with its environment; As an organizer of meetings and exchanges between its staff.

Key Takeaways

Communication and information are often confused but have distinct purposes.
Information refers to the transmission of structured knowledge, while communication involves exchanging information to change behavior.
Communication is a two-way interactive process, while information is a one-way transmission.
Effective communication creates trust, understanding, and stability in relationships.
Companies must manage both information dissemination and communication processes internally and externally.