The transmission of information between individuals, departments, or units within an organization at the same hierarchical level is a key element of internal operations. This type of exchange fosters collaboration and coordination without involving management tiers. An example of this would be marketing and sales teams conferring to align campaign strategies, or engineers sharing technical knowledge to resolve a project issue.
Its importance lies in its ability to enhance teamwork, improve problem-solving, and streamline workflows. By enabling direct interaction among peers, it reduces the potential for miscommunication and delays that can arise from vertical reporting structures. Historically, its significance has grown with the increasing emphasis on flatter organizational structures and employee empowerment.