मराठी

Communication> Informal Communication or Grapevine

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Topics

Estimated time: 11 minutes
CBSE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12

Meaning

  • Communication that takes place outside the formal organisational structure.
  • Arises from employees' need to exchange views not covered through formal channels.
  • Examples: chit-chat in canteens, discussions about transfers, rumours.
  • Satisfies social needs and fills gaps left by formal communication.
  • Connects people outside the official chain of command.
CBSE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12

Characteristics

  • People-oriented, not issue-oriented.
  • May not be fully authentic.
  • Flows in all directions (not restricted to hierarchy).
  • Travels very fast – like a rumour or "wildfire".
  • Responsibility for messages cannot be easily fixed.
CISCE: Class 12

Advantages

  • Speedy transmission - moves rapidly without following prescribed formal routes.
  • Valuable feedback - managers can get quick reactions and responses.
  • Psychological satisfaction – employees feel a sense of belonging and group identity.
  • Supports formal channels – supplements slow or formal channels; carries information unsuitable for formal communication.
CISCE: Class 12

Limitations

  • Misunderstanding – Information may be incomplete or distorted through word-of-mouth.
  • Lower credibility - messages are not always reliable or accurate.
  • Damage to organisation - gossip and distorted rumours can harm the image of responsible people.
  • Rumours can spread and damage reputation before management detects and remedies them.
CBSE: Class 12

Grapevine Networks

Network Type Description
Single Strand Information passes in a chain, one person to the next.
Gossip One person communicates to many others.
Probability Information passes randomly from person to person.
Cluster Selected individuals share information with trusted others; most popular in organisations.
CBSE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12

Key Points: Informal Communication or Grapevine

  • Informal communication is also called the grapevine.
  • It arises from social needs of employees, not organisational directives.
  • It flows in all directions and travels very fast.
  • It cannot be traced to a single source easily.
  • The cluster network is the most popular type of grapevine in organisations.
  • It can be both useful (fast spread, managerial feedback) and harmful (rumours, distortion).
  • Management cannot easily fix responsibility for messages passed through grapevine.
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