The grapevine is formed by individuals and groups in an organization. It’s a form of communication that’s bound to exist in an organization, and it is a self-proven fact that whatsoever be the effect of grapevine on the organization, management cannot do away with it. It has both advantages and some disadvantages. Importance and Steps, Oral Communication: Definition, Importance and Examples, Communication Cycle: Definition, Barriers and Importance. Information that spread in grapevine communication is often based on rumors and is mostly incomplete information. Grapevine is an informal channel of business communication. I love writing about the latest in marketing & advertising. You can follow me on Facebook. According to Bovee and Others, “Grapevine is an informal interpersonal channel of information not officially sanctioned by the organization. Grapevine communication spreads rapidly and likely touches each person throughout the organization. So, grapevine communication can be described as a casual and unofficial communication system within the organization. The grapevine is used to spread information bypassing the formal communication structure. Communication is one of the key features of an organization. It flows in all directions irrespective of the hierarchy. Your email address will not be published. This form of communication can hurt others emotionally hence develop an adverse culture in the organization, which is not good. It’s called Grapevine because like that of a grape vine it’s impossible to find the origin of information which results in spread of rumours. Meaning of Grapevine Communication. To cool down the surge emotions, employees should have a medium to talk to their colleagues informally – grapevine is useful there. And I teach you how to participate in a smart way, so you don't get caught in the drama. Grapevine is an informal channel of business communication. Learn about the four types of grapevine communication: single strand, gossip chain, probability chain, and cluster chain network. She could have a third group of people scattered throughout the organization with which she shares other common interests outside of work. Spontaneity: Grapevine communication is spontaneous as it is passed automatically from the top level of the organization to the bottom level without any difficulty in delivering the message. There are mainly two types of communication that occur in every organization – formal and informal communication. Normally, grapevine passes the facts, opinions, suspicions, and rumors that do not move through formal channels. We also discuss the pros and cons of grapevine communication. The main reason why we give credence to a rumor is that it seems to match what we think about the situation or person that the rumor is about. It provides an alternative path of exchanging information without following the tedious path which involves formal attitude. According to Bovee and Others, “Grapevine is an informal interpersonal channel of information not officially sanctioned by the organization. BY: DR. RENU JAIN 2. It does not follow any prescribed or predetermined rule and spreads any information quickly. n. 1. To justify our participation in spreading the rumor, we tell ourselves that part of it must be true. The conversation during such times revolves around your work, yet it remains unofficial and forms informal or personal relationships between you and your team members. Grapevine communications come handy in strengthening the relationships in an organization – both among the employees and between employees and authorities. Since an informal communication network does not pursue any rules or formalities. Grapevine is an informal network of communication within an organisation, also termed by many as"rumors" or "gossip", such as over the water-cooler communication etc. Every role within an organization holds a set of messages that employees should share– grapevine is helpful there. This type of information communication goes up, sideways, down, and diagonally in an organization, and it spreads the information by using separate means from the formal channels of communication. In this form of communication, the person doesn’t choose the receiver deliberately. The grapevine is used to spread information bypassing the formal communication structure. Since we don’t know what part is fire and what is smoke, we accept the whole rumor. As I mentioned above that formal communication networks are more like boss and employee relationship. The new site is dynamic, colorful and easy to navigate for our visitors. Organization’s climate matter a lot. 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