Though the grapevine provides innumerable utilities to the organization, still it is not free from defects.
Therefore, managers should try to use the grapevine in a way so that the organization can take the highest benefits from it.
A grapevine is a form of informal communication, that operates both in internal and external informal channels which can contribute to and benefit the organization.
Therefore, it is found in all organizations. It does not follow any prescribed or predetermined rule and spreads any information quickly.
Through the grapevine, information flows in different directions linking almost every one of an organization.
It is governed by social and personal relationships rather than officially recognized rules and formalities.
Grapevine operates both in internal and external informal channels. It passes opinions, suspicions, and rumours that generally do not move through formal channels.
By nature, the grapevine is a channel of horizontal communication.
However, in fact, it does not follow any set pattern. It effectively operates horizontally, vertically and even diagonally.
A grapevine is a natural outgrowth of a 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.
5 Ways to make Grapevine Beneficiary to Organization
Grapevine in Business Communication
Providing real news to the grapevine initiators.
Considering grapevine as a pulse feeling tool.
Contradicting the false rumour.
Allowing workers in the decision-making process
Developing a good organizational climate.
Providing real news to the grapevine initiators
Managers should identify the people who take an active part in grapevine channels and provide them with real news so that they can transmit real facts to the grapevine channels.
This will eventually resist the transmission of rumours and untrue and distorted messages.
Considering grapevine as a pulse-feeling tool
Since the grapevine is an essential source of receiving feedback, managers should use it as a tool for feeling the pulse of the employees.
ContradictinManagementnization, management should immediately contradict and protest the rumour that if any false rumour occurs in the organisation ought through formal channels. As a result, the feeding of false rumours will decrease.
Allowing workers in the decision-making process
If the workers are allowed to participate in the decision-making process, they will be well-informed of the facts.
In such a situation, there will be nothing to suspect and to create a false rumour
Developing a good organizational climate
A good organizational climate impels the employees to develop a sense of belongingness, maintain status, chain of command and self-respect, and enhance satisfaction.
All these will facilitate the occurrence of grapevine in the most desired and effective way.
At last, we can say that though the organization cannot hire and fire the grapevine, it can ensure an environment where people can practice grapevine in the most desired and effective way.
4 Patterns or Types of Grapevine
TGrapevinecommunication is usually horizontal in nature. But it can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal. Prof. Keith Davis has classified grapevine into 4 types.
Single Strand Chain
Gossip Chain
Probability Chain
Cluster Chain
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