Apart from the formal channel of communication, there operates in every organisation an informal channel of communication called the grapevine. It follows no setlines, nor any definite rules, but spreads like the grapevine, in any direction, anywhere and spreads fast. It is quite natural for a group of people working together to be interested in one another and talk about appointments, promotions, retrenchments or even domestic affairs like the estranged relations of an employees with his wife or the romantic involvements of another. Information on most of these matters is secret but some people derive great pleasure from gathering such ‘secret’ information and transmitting it to others. They are leaders who control the grapevine.
The grapevine is a channel of horizontal communication, for it is only people working at the same level of hierarchy who can informally communicate with one another with perfect ease. Because of the damaging effect the grapevine is capable of producing; some managers are highly suspicious of it and want to stop it completely.
Disadvantages of the grapevine
1. Distortion. The grapevine respects nobody and it may ascribe the worst possible motives to the noblest of people. Thus, one of the major drawbacks of the grapevine is that it may spread baseless or distorted news, which may sometimes prove harmful even to the employees.
2. Incomplete information. The grapevine information is usually incomplete. Therefore, there is every likelihood of its being misunderstood or misinterpreted.
3. Damaging swiftness. The swiftness with which the grapevine transmits information may even be damaging. A rumour may have spread and caused serious damage before the management becomes aware of it and can take any rectifying steps.
Advantages of the grapevine
1. A safety valve. Apprehensions experienced by workers on matters like promotions and retrenchments become an obsession with them. Taking about them may not alleviate their fears, but it certainly provides them emotional relief. Thus, the grapevine acts as a kind of safety valve for the pent-up emotions of the subordinates.
2. Organisational solidarity and cohesion. The existence of the grapevine proves that the workers are interested in their associates. The very fact that they talk among themselves helps to promote organisational solidarity and cohesion. Properly used, the grapevine may even raise the moral of the workers.
3. Supplement to other channels. All information cannot be transmitted to the employees through the official channels. If there is some useful information unsuitable for being transmitted through official channels, it can be transmitted through the grapevine.
4. Quick transmission. The speed with which information is transmitted through the grapevine is just remarkable. Rumours, they say, spread like wild fire. Just spot a leader of the grapevine and give him some information, cleverly describing it as ‘top secret’, and within minutes, it will have reached everybody.
5. Feedback. The grapevine provides feedback to the management. It enables them to know what the subordinates think about the organisation and its various activities.
The grapevine is a channel of horizontal communication, for it is only people working at the same level of hierarchy who can informally communicate with one another with perfect ease. Because of the damaging effect the grapevine is capable of producing; some managers are highly suspicious of it and want to stop it completely.
Disadvantages of the grapevine
1. Distortion. The grapevine respects nobody and it may ascribe the worst possible motives to the noblest of people. Thus, one of the major drawbacks of the grapevine is that it may spread baseless or distorted news, which may sometimes prove harmful even to the employees.
2. Incomplete information. The grapevine information is usually incomplete. Therefore, there is every likelihood of its being misunderstood or misinterpreted.
3. Damaging swiftness. The swiftness with which the grapevine transmits information may even be damaging. A rumour may have spread and caused serious damage before the management becomes aware of it and can take any rectifying steps.
Advantages of the grapevine
1. A safety valve. Apprehensions experienced by workers on matters like promotions and retrenchments become an obsession with them. Taking about them may not alleviate their fears, but it certainly provides them emotional relief. Thus, the grapevine acts as a kind of safety valve for the pent-up emotions of the subordinates.
2. Organisational solidarity and cohesion. The existence of the grapevine proves that the workers are interested in their associates. The very fact that they talk among themselves helps to promote organisational solidarity and cohesion. Properly used, the grapevine may even raise the moral of the workers.
3. Supplement to other channels. All information cannot be transmitted to the employees through the official channels. If there is some useful information unsuitable for being transmitted through official channels, it can be transmitted through the grapevine.
4. Quick transmission. The speed with which information is transmitted through the grapevine is just remarkable. Rumours, they say, spread like wild fire. Just spot a leader of the grapevine and give him some information, cleverly describing it as ‘top secret’, and within minutes, it will have reached everybody.
5. Feedback. The grapevine provides feedback to the management. It enables them to know what the subordinates think about the organisation and its various activities.
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