The informal grapevine network model is an informal communication channel that spreads throughout an organization irrespective of authority levels. It exists more at lower levels and is very active in most organizations. There are four types of grapevine: single strand, gossip, probability, and cluster. The grapevine generally develops due to reasons like uncertainty during recessions, preferential treatment of some employees, and a lack of formal channels to exchange views. While it can spread information quickly and provide feedback, the grapevine also carries risks like spreading partial or false information that can reduce productivity and harm an organization's goodwill.

1. Grapevine
The Informal Network Models
By
F O R A M P A T E L

2. Etymology of Grapevine (gossip)
In his autobiography, Up From
Slavery, Booker T. Wahington
says that slaves in the South kept up-
to-date on current events by "what
was termed the 'grape-vine'
telegraph."

4. Communication Networks
A variety of patterns emerge when communication combines
through vertical and horizontal channels. These patterns are termed
as communication networks.
Types:
1) Formal Network Models
2) Informal Network Models

6. Formal Network Models
There are five common communication networks that come into play
a) Chain Network
b) Y – Network
c) Wheel Network
d) Circle Network
e) All-channel Network
These networks follow a chain of formalism, it makes and follows the
system, some time randomly and some time, accurately.

7. Informal Network Models
‘Grapevine’
Grapevine is an informal channel of business communication. It is called so
because it stretches throughout the organization in all directions irrespective
of the authority levels. Man as we know is a social animal. Despite existence
of formal channels in an organization, the informal channels tend to develop
when he interacts with other people in organization. It exists more at lower
levels of organization.
Communication in an organization also travels along an informal pattern –
network – the grapevine.
– very active in almost every organization
– Is used to develop human resources (chairman of Walt Disney, Michael
Eisner)
– This knowledge can be use to form or adopt or change strategies

10. The F O U R types of Grapevine
a) Single Strand
b) Gossip
c) Probability
d) Cluster

12. – It flows like a chain, i.e., ‘A’ tells
something to ‘B’ who tells it to ‘C’
and so on.
– The longer the strand the more
misrepresentation and filtering
affects
– Most inaccuracies occur in this chain
– In this info. flows from one to other
in a sequential order
1. Single strand

14. 2. Gossip
– One person tells to other
people
– This chain passes a message
regarding a ‘not-on-job’ nature
– Generally considered to be slow
in passing the information

15. 3. Probability
– Information may move from
anybody to anybody.
– This chain is found when the
information is somewhat
interesting but not really
significant.
– Only some people in the
organization will get to know the
information.

16. 4. Cluster
– Individual communicates with
only those individuals he/she
trusts
– Cluster chain is the dominant
grapevine pattern in an
organization
– Most informal communication
flows through this chain

21. Grapevine generally develops due to various reasons
- When an organization is facing recession, the employees
sense uncertainty.
- Also, at times employees do not have self-confidence due
to which they form union.
- Sometimes the managers show preferential treatment and
favor some employees giving a segregated feeling to other
employees.

22. - They discuss rumors about promotion and transfer of
other employees. Thus, grapevine spreads like fire and it is
not easy to trace the cause of such communication at
times.
- Thus, when employees sense a need to exchange their
views, they go for grapevine network as they cannot use
the formal channel of communication in that case.
Generally.

23. Pros and Cons of Grapevine
Communication

24. Advantages of Grapevine
Communication
– Grapevine channels carry information rapidly. As soon as
an employee gets to know some confidential
information, he becomes inquisitive and passes the
details then to his closest friend who in turn passes it to
other. Thus, it spreads hastily.
– The managers get to know the reactions of their
subordinates on their policies. Thus, the feedback
obtained is quick compared to formal channel of
communication.

25. – The grapevine creates a sense of unity among the
employees who share and discuss their views with each
other. Thus, grapevine helps in developing group
cohesiveness.
– The grapevine serves as an emotional supportive value.
– The grapevine is a supplement in those cases where
formal communication does not work.

26. Disadvantages of Grapevine
Communication
– The grapevine carries partial information at times
as it is more based on rumors. Thus, it does not
clearly depicts the complete state of affairs.
– The grapevine is not trustworthy always as it does
not follow official path of communication and is
spread more by gossips and unconfirmed report.

27. – The productivity of employees may be hampered as they
spend more time talking rather than working.
– The grapevine leads to making hostility against the
executives.
– The grapevine may hamper the goodwill of the
organization as it may carry false negative information
about the high level people of the organization.

28. What is told in the ear of a man is
often heard 100 miles away.
A Chinese Proverb

30. YOUTUBE Video links
– 7 Ways to Manage NEGATIVE People at Work - #7Ways
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JO4uqClIbM
– Workplace Gossip - How To Stop Gossips And Rumors In The Workplace About
You At Work
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rqcH2ON9P4
– How to start changing an unhealthy work environment | Glenn D. Rolfsen |
TEDxOslo
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYLb7WUtYt8

31. P r e p a r e d by F O R A M P A T E L