What is Grapevine Communication?

Types of Grapevine
What is Grapevine Communication or Informal communication. If communication is done without maintaining the
formalities prescribed by the organization, it is called informal communication. The basis of informal communication
is personal or informal relationship between the members of a group. It is also known as grapevine that takes place
when the people of an organization or group, especially of same level or rank gather or meet tighter and discuss
informally. It has no definite pattern or direction though it is largely horizontal in nature. It is a complex web of oral
information flow linking all the members of the organization. Definition of Grapevine Communication, Meaning
of Grapevine Communication, Types of Grapevine discussed below here-

What is Grapevine Communication

According to Bovee and Others, Grapevine is an informal interpersonal channel of information not officially
sanctioned by the organization.

In the opinion of R.W. Griffin, The grapevine is an informal communication network that can permeate an
organization.

Newstrom and K. Davis said, Grapevine is an informal system that arises spontaneously from the social interaction
of the organization.

So, grapevine is an informal, unofficial and personal communication channel or system that takes place within the
organization as a result of rumor and gossip. It is a complex web of oral information flow linking all the members of
the organization.

Patterns or Types of Grapevine

The grapevine does not have any definite pattern or direction, though it is largely horizontal in nature. It can be
effective horizontally, vertically and even diagonally. Prof. Keith Davis, who has done some research work on the
nature of grapevine, has classified it into four basic types-

Single Strand Chain: The single strand chain involves the passing of information through a line of persons
to the ultimate recipient. In the figure, the person A tells B, who tells C, who tells D, and so on, till the
 information has reached most of the persons involved or concerned.

Gossip Chain: In the gossip chain, one person seeks and tells the information to everyone. This chain is
just like the wheel where one person stays at the centre and the information passes along the spokes of the
wheel to others stationed on the rim. In the following figure, A is at the center and passes the information to
others staying on the rim of the wheel.
Probability Chain: The probability chain is a random process in which someone transmits the information to
others in accordance with the laws of probability and then these others tell still others in a similar way. This
chain may also be called random process. The probability chain is shown below-

Cluster Chain: In the cluster chain, a person tells the information to the selected persons who may in turn
relay (pass) the information to other selected persons. Most of the information communication follows this
chain. Cluster chain is shown in the following figure

Pros and Cons of Grapevine Communication

1. Grapevine channels carry information rapidly. As soon as an employee gets to know some confidential
information, he becomes inquisitive and passes the details then to his closest friend who in turn passes it to other.
Thus, it spreads hastily.

2. The managers get to know the reactions of their subordinates on their policies. Thus, the feedback obtained is
quick compared to formal channel of communication.

3. The grapevine creates a sense of unity among the employees who share and discuss their views with each other.
Thus, grapevine helps in developing group cohesiveness.

4. The grapevine serves as an emotional supportive value.

Disadvantages of Grapevine Communication

2. The grapevine is not trustworthy always as it does not follows official path of communication and is spread more
by gossips and unconfirmed report.

3. The productivity of employees may be hampered as they spend more time talking rather than working.

4. The grapevine leads to making hostility against the executives.

5. The grapevine may hamper the goodwill of the organization as it may carry false negative information about the
high level people of the organization.

A smart manager should take care of all the disadvantages of the grapevine and try to minimize them. At the same
time, he should make best possible use of advantages of grapevine.

Personal factors also encourage involving in grapevine actively. The probable causes that
may activate the grapevine are discussed below:

1. Emotion of employees
Some organizational issues like insecurity of service, uncertainty of promotion,
prohibition to form and enter into trade unions, undermining the role of subordinates by
superiors etc. are likely to create emotions in the mind of workers and make them
excited.

Thus for relieving the emotions and cooling down the excitements some workers tend to
activate grapevine.

2. Existence of informal and peer groups

3. Exceptional information
Exceptional event or information like innovation of new products, investment in new
field, providing special facilities to a particular employee etc. should be disseminated
throughout the organization.

If these are not disclosed to the employees, someone may activate grapevine channel.

4. Job itself
 It is observed that some jobs or positions such as personal assistant, personal
secretary, driver etc. by their nature can hold some important messages and play active
role in feeding information in grapevine.

Keith Davis pointed out in this regard that Secretaries to the managers are four times
likely to be key grapevine communicators, compared with other employees.

5. People of talkative nature and suspicious attitude

6. Organizational climate
Now a day, many organizations permit its employees to communicate with each other
frequently. This also inspires them to activate grapevine.

In conclusion, we can say that since the above stated issues or situations are common in
every organization regardless of their size and nature, presence of grapevine is inevitable
there.