This is a derivative of the common phrase Opens in new window “Heard it through the grapevine”.. For example, “I heard through the grapevine that Jane is the secret informant.” Therefore, managers need to work with the grapevine. In the opinion of R.W. This helps them solve their work-related problems and do their work successfully. The result is a communication flow that rambles and spreads rapidly. Grapevine is based on rumor and cannot represent the complete picture of the situation. Grapevine communication is synonymous with rumors. 5 Ways to make Grapevine Beneficiary to Organization The advantages of grapevine communication includes the following: Since grapevine is a social network of informal communication, employees use it to fill in information gaps and clarify management decisions. Also, the grapevine cannot be eliminated till such time the formal organization remains. Where formal communication fails to operate, grapevine or informal communication is used. Grapevine communication is an informal mode of communication but it plays an instrumental role in aiding the formal methods of communication in every organization. Grapevine imbibes poor practices among employees because they may spend more time gossiping rather than contributing to productivity. Lack of control: Actually, there is no managerial control over the grapevine communication system. The features are as follows: A un-official channel of communication; Grapevine is an informal and unofficial means of communication. Grapevine communication is when you receive information informally or unofficially through informal channels or communication paths, i.e., gossip or rumor. Perhaps they like to talk about people have a strong interest in what is happening in their organisation or have special communication abilities. Information received through the grapevine may also imply an overheard conversation or information received from anonymous sources. The term was coined because of its nature of networking and reaching several at once; often causing the proliferation of information between two or more individual to several others. Although the most obvious reason is that nosey people are everywhere, there is also another more credible … Man as we know is … Using Grapevine Communication effectively as a workplace communication tool There are many reasons why grapevine communication exists within the office environment and is one of the business communication activities that occurs in any company. Grapevine channels enhance rapid flow of information in the organization. In this form of communication, the route of sharing … Grapevine communication, information spreads very fast in all directions as this vine of grapes spreads. Grapevine is a natural outgrowth person-to-person informal communication channel through which information flows horizontally, vertically or diagonally without following any set rule or regulation among the people within or outside the organization. It is called so because it stretches throughout the organization in all directions irrespective of the authority levels. The technique of MBWA was made famous by the books In Search of Excellence by Thomas J. Peters and Robert H. Waterman Jr., in the year 1982 and A Passion for Excellence by Tom Peters and Nancy Austin 1985. In this form of communication, information converges a long way by passing from one person to another person leaving no indication from which point it started. These positive and negative consequences of grapevine should determine the management’s attitude in dealing with it. Grapevine means a source of secret information. The later is a supplement to the former. However, there does not appear to be any sex difference in grapevine activity. 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. Active Gathering of Information Regarding The Rumor. It is called so because it stretches throughout the organization in all directions irrespective of the authority levels. For example, if a firm is in financial trouble and managers have indicated that they will take ‘concrete steps’ to cut costs but have not released any information through formal channels, the grapevine often generates significant rumor and gossip about what managers want. High speed: The one important feature of the grapevine is its fast speed. Although every business-organization has its formal channels of communication, the informal channel of communication called grapevine also operates in it. 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