Business Communication,Business Communication Articles,Business Communication Studies

Define Grapevine,Features of Grapevine communication

Define Grapevine. What are the features of grapevine?

The grapevine is an informal communication system. It consists of gossip and rumor. More information can be transmitted through grapevine. There is a negative idea about grapevine but the reality is it coexists with the formal communication system.

In the words of Prof. Keith Davis, “Grapevine arises from social interaction; it is as fickle, dynamic and varied as people are. It is the exercise of their freedom of speech and is a natural, normal activity.”

Features:

The most common informal communication network in an organization is grapevine. According to Prof. J. W. Newstrom and Others, “Grapevine has three main characteristics:

1. It is not controlled by management.
2. It is perceived by the most employees as being more believable and reliable.
3. It is largely used to serve the self interest of those people within it.

Now features of grapevine can be discussed in the following manner:

1. Flexibility:
As there is no formal control on grapevine it is more flexible than any other forms of communication.

2. Lack of control:
Infect management has no control over the grapevine.

3. Rapid communication:
It is faster than other formal or informal channels.

4. No record:
There is no documentary evidence of grapevine that can be produced as future reference.

5. Used for self interests:
Grapevine is basically used for the self interest of the employees.

6. Popular among employees:
Grapevine is very much popular media among the employees. It is more believable and reliable than formal communication.

7. Distortion:
One of the major characteristics of grapevine is message are distorted as it passes from man to man.

8. Spontaneous:
Grapevine is spontaneous, it passes automatically from top to bottom of the organization, no one needs to be urged to deliver.