This document defines and discusses organizational grapevines. It begins by defining a grapevine as an informal communication network through which information spreads via gossip and rumors. It then discusses the characteristics of grapevines, including that they can rapidly transmit some degree of truthful information across organizational boundaries, but also inaccuracies. The document presents different types of grapevine networks and provides examples. It notes both advantages in spreading information quickly, and disadvantages like inaccuracy and lack of management control. Finally, it discusses how management can prevent inaccuracies by providing timely, accurate information through formal channels while keeping communication lines open.

1. BY:
DR. RENU
JAIN

2.  Meaning
 Organizational grapevine
 Characteristics
 Definition
 Examples
 Types
 References
 Advantages
 Disadvantages
 Prevention
 Conclusion

3. To hear something through the grapevine is to learn of
something informally and unofficially by mean of Gossip
and Rumor.
Informal vehicle through which message flow throughout
the organization.

4. Early research findings
 Transmits information rapidly in all
direction.
 More active in homogeneous groups.
 Transmits some degree of truth.

5. Oral -> mostly documented
Fast (hours instead of day)
Crossing organizational boundaries
inaccuracy:-deletion of crucial details
Not controlled by management

6.  Grapevine-> unstructured and informal network founded
on social relationship rather then organizational.
(By Nancy Borkowksi)
 An informal chat between people , seen as a network
through which the information is reliably spread.
(By Mc Shane)

7.  Suppose the profit amount of company
is known. Rumor is spread that this
profit is there on that basis bonus is
declared.
 CEO may be relation to the production
manager. They may have friendly
relations with each other

8. Single strand chain
Gossip chain
Probability chain
Cluster chain

9. It flows like a chain i.e. A tells to B , who tells it to C
and so on.
The larger the strand the more distortion & filtering
effects.
Most inaccuracies occur in the chain.

10. One person tells to other people.
This chain passes a message regarding a `not-on-job’
nature.
Generally consider to be slowly passing the information.

11.  Information may move from anybody to anybody.
 This chain is found the information is somewhat interesting but
not really significant.
 Only some people in the organization will get to know the
information.

12.  Individual communicates with only those individual he/she trust.
 Cluster chain is the dominant grapevine pattern in an
organization.
 Most informal communication flows through this chain,
 ‘A’ tells something to a few selected individuals and then some of
the individuals inform a few other selected individuals.

13. Spreads rapidly
Feedback is quick
Group cohesiveness
Good news that exist
Substitute for formal channel of communication

14. The grapevine is not trust worthy always as it
doesn’t follow official path of communication & is
spread more by gossips and unconfirmed report
Untruth information most of the time
Partial information only spreads(rumors)
Hampers the goodwill of the organization or the
people.

15.  Provide information through the
formal system of communication on
the issues important to the employees.
 Supply employees with a steady flow
of clear , accurate and timely
information.
 Present full facts.
 Keep formal communication lines
open and the process as short as
possible.

16. “The grapevine cannot be abolished,
rubbed out, hidden under a basket, chopped
down, tied up, or stopped”

17. THANK YOU