Grapevine communication is an informal way for information to spread throughout an organization. It gets its name from spreading in all directions like a grapevine. There are different types of grapevines including single strand chains, gossip chains, and probability chains. Grapevines exist because of employee emotions, informal groups, organizational environment, and atypical information sharing. While they can spread information quickly, grapevines can also distort meanings and lead to misunderstandings. Managing grapevines involves keeping staff informed through open communication and addressing issues directly.

1. Made by- Preeti Roy
GRAPEVINE
COMMUNICATION

2. What is Grapevine
Communication?
• Grapevine is an informal way to
communicate in an organisation.
• The name Grapevine comes from the fact
that it spreads through the firm in all
possible directions.
• Examples of situations activating a
grapevine – while bringing in new
technology, promotions, takeovers etc.

3. Types of Grapevine
Single Strand Chain:
Single strand chains are those which follow
single chain transmission.
In the diagram, A tells B. Then, B tells C. C then
goes and tells D. This link keeps going on.
B
A
D
C

4. 2. Gossip chain:
Gossip chains are those in which
group of people gather up to discuss
matters of mutual interest.
The person giving out the
information is at the centre. The
information is given to the people at
the rim of the wheel.
A D
C
E
F
B

5. 3. Probability Chain:
Probability chain is an
information network where each
of the individual randomly tells
others the same message.
It may be termed as ‘random
process’.
A
D
O
J
B
F
E

6. 4. Cluster Chain
Cluster chain is an information network where someone first tells the message to the selected individuals and those selected
individuals pass the same information to other selected individuals and process continue in the same way.
A
D
B
G F
L
E
C
H
T
J

7. Why Grapevine Communication
Exists in an organization?
1. Employees Emotions
2. Presence of Peer and Informal Groups.
3. The Environment of the Organization.
4. Relay of Atypical Information.

8. Grapevine Communication Advantages
Spreads rapidly Quick feedback Group cohesiveness Propagate quickly Substitute for formal
channel of
communication

9. Grapevine Communication Disadvantages
Twists meaning
The rapid spread
of rumours
Leads to
Misunderstanding
Hard to control

10. Ways to Deal
with Grapevine
Communication
• The staff should always be well-informed
• Employees will gain trust if correct
channels are used.
• There shouldn't be an overload of
information in the office.
• Two-way discussions can be encouraged
among workers on a daily basis.
• If there is a crisis, important information
should be passed on to the staff correctly.

11. Questions on Grapevine
1. Which of these is not a type of grapevine?
a) Gossip chain
b) Probability chain
c) Rope chain
d) Cluster chain
Ans. Rope
2. Rumors spreading in any organization follow the grapevine.
a) True
b) False
Ans. True

12. 3. Which of these involves the passing of information through a long line of people?
a) Cluster chain
b) Single strand chain
c) Gossip chain
d) Probability chain
Ans. Single Strand
4. The process in which communication passed on to everyone is
a) Cluster chain
b) Probability chain
c) Formal communication
d) Gossip chain
Ans. Gossip Chain

13. 5. Which of these grapevine chains is random?
a) Single strand chain
b) Cluster chain
c) Probability chain
d) Gossip chain
Ans. Probability
6. The grapevine provides feedback to the management.
a) True
b) False
Ans. True

14. 7. Which of these is not a limitation of grapevine?
a) Distortion
b) Slow process
c) Incomplete information
d) Damaging swiftness
Ans. Slow process
8. Advantage of informal communication is
a) Employees can discuss work problems
b) Saves time
c) Saves cost of the organization‘s
d) All of the above
Ans. All of the above

15. THANK YOU