The Title Grapevine probably arose because it was thought to be long, convoluted means of communication from one point to another like a real grapevine. In the terms of an organization, when communication uses informal or unofficial networks, it is designated as Grapevine. Such a stint was used in Civil war in America to describe the telegraph lines falling loosely from tree to tree and bearing semblance to Grapevine. It doesn’t have any authorized formation or any rules regulated erection which must be strictly followed. As Keith Davis Rightly said, “Organization can’t fire the grapevine because they didn’t hire it, it is simply there in an organization.” Grapevine is carried out by the employers of an organization in the form of rumors & gossip which can be half true, false statements etc. It doesn’t consider rank and may link organization members in any combination of directions.
Characteristics of the Grapevine
Speed: Grapevine runs faster than wind. Information moves very swiftly through this communication.
Extensive: From top to bottom of an organization, no one is left behind from the touch of grapevine. It links the members very quickly.
Very Impactful: Lot of employers depend on grapevine as their main source of information and a trustworthy channel for communication. It is widely trusted by the employers of the organization.
Deducible Information: Lots of unspoken information that is not incorporated in formal meetings can be spoken through this communication.
Oral Way: Grapevine uses oral techniques rather than written or any non verbal techniques, because it is likely dependent on oral way.
Large audience: It has a wide number of audience since the network is extensive. Even if individuals may not pass on the information but they often do listen.
Unsaid information: Grapevine usually carries information that formal communication does not wish to convey.Information based on counterfeiting is supposed to be transmitted in a better way by this communication.
Distortion: Information can get distorted by grapevine because it moves point to point, terminal to terminal or person to person.
Flexible Chanel: Grapevine is more flexible than the other formal channels because it requires various types of rules and regulations, formalities whereas grapevine is free from these kinds of hassles. Gossiping, chit chats, and sharing moments are enough to create a grapevine.
Inconsistent Knowledge: Information flowing through the grapevine can’t always be reliable because it changes its form and shapes due to distortion by the individual’s involvement.
Lets get introduced with different grapevine communication networks:
Straight Chain:
In This chain person A tells something to B, who tells it to C, who tells it to D and so on till the chain reaches the final receiver. Although it is used to transmit confidential information , the chain is least accurate at passing on.
A->B->C->D
Gossip or Star Chain:
In this chain A tells everyone around. Normally non job related information also interesting things flows through such a chain.
Probability Chain:
Here, Information is transmitted in a casual way. Thi kind of chain is used to transmit information which is slightly interesting but less important.
Cluster Chain:
When a person tells the information there is a cluster and that is the definition for cluster chain. This information can be interesting as well as job related usually.
“Grapevine Communication can Spreads Untrue, Rumor and Distorted Information Very Fast”
Since it is an unofficial communication process, it is spread by the people talking to each other in the work canteen, on the way to work or home and at tea or lunch breaks. Grapevine method is faster undoubtedly but it spreads rumors, untrue and distorted information for which the objective of an organization goes in waste.
How does its distortion happen? Let’s take a look at this points:
- Lack of Understanding
- Exaggeration
- Cheap Praise
- Lack of Attention
- Absence of Sense of Rules
- Weak Media
- Personal Opinion
- Lack of Control
Although it has some drawbacks of setting bad examples like spreading untrue information, it has advantages too. Grapevine is an alternative system to send messages without any formal regulations. It increases efficiency, improves relationships with higher or lower posted employers; provides recommendations or suggestions related to jobs, work methods, conditions etc. Grapevine provides emotional relief because of its frank way to communicate and also solutions to different problems.
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Writer :
Ayesha Siddika Hamim
Intern, Content Writing Department,
YSSE