Grapevine communication

Abstract

Communication is a constant part of Teaching Learning Process. The act of transferring information from one place, person or group to another is called communication. People who lie in the top hierarchy usually control formal channel of communication. Communication basically travels through informal channels, called "the grapevine." Basically the term grapevine communication originated during early Civil War days when the telegraph wires strung through the trees and resembled like grapevines. It is observed that nowadays the grapevine means "the informal transmission of information, gossip or rumour spread from person to person." As this mode of communication is informal, all information that passes through is open to change and interpretation can vary time to time. The well evident facts provide proofs that grapevine gives an outlet for imagination and truth seeking. Grapevine effect can be used to manage sharing of information amongst one another in an unofficial, or informal, manner. In this article an attempt is made to explain each and every dimension of grapevine communication i.e. Single Strand Chain, Gossip Chain, Probability Chain and Cluster Chain along with that advantages, disadvantages and significance of grapevine communication.

Full text

International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Configuration, ISSN: 2582-8649, Vol. 1, No.2, April 2021
19
Grapevine communication
Dr. Abhishek Srivastavaa; Dr. Anshu Raj Purohitb
aAssociate Professor, School Of Education, Career Point University, Kota
bProfessor, Department of English, Career Point University, Kota
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.4724450
Abstract:
Communication is a constant part of Teaching Learning Process. The act of transferring information from one place, person
or group to another is called communication. People who lie in the top hierarchy usually control formal channel of
communication. Communication basically travels through informal channels, called “the grapevine.” Basically the term
grapevine communication originated during early Civil War days when the telegraph wires strung through the trees and
resembled like grapevines. It is observed that nowadays the grapevine means “the informal transmission of information, gossip
or rumour spread from person to person.” As this mode of communication is informal, all information that passes through is
open to change and interpretation can vary time to time. The well evident facts provide proofs that grapevine gives an outlet for
imagination and truth seeking. Grapevine effect can be used to manage sharing of information amongst one another in an
unofficial, or informal, manner. In this article an attempt is made to explain each and every dimension of grapevine
communication i.e. Single Strand Chain, Gossip Chain, Probability Chain and Cluster Chain along with that advantages,
disadvantages and significance of grapevine communication.
Key words: gossip, cluster.
Introduction:
Grapevine takes place within the organization and it is an
informal, unofficial and personal communication channel or
system. It is a complex web of oral information and it
generally spreads rapidly and touches all the members of
the organization. It stretches throughout the organization
almost in all directions from ground to the authority levels.
Basically it is a type of conversation between employees
and superiors that do not follow any prescribed structure
or rule-based system.

International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Configuration, ISSN: 2582
Significance of
grapevine communication
It is observed that grapevine channels carry information
rapidly. As soon as an employee gets to know some
confidential information, he becomes inquisitive and passes
the details to his friend and then he passes it to another
person. It really spreads info
rmation so quickly and even
works as supplement in those cases where formal
Sense of unity is created among the employees who share
and discuss their views with each other. Grapevine also
helps in developing group cohesiveness and serves as an
emotional support system. This type o
f communication is
vital for leaders to understand the impact it has on the
work environment.
Patterns or Types of Grapevine
The grapevine is largely horizontal in nature although it
does not have any definite pattern or direction and it can
International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Configuration, ISSN: 2582
-
8649, Vol. 1, No.2, April 2021
grapevine communication
It is observed that grapevine channels carry information
rapidly. As soon as an employee gets to know some
confidential information, he becomes inquisitive and passes
the details to his friend and then he passes it to another
rmation so quickly and even
works as supplement in those cases where formal
communication does not work. Feedback received by the
managers from their subordinates on their policies is quick
compared to formal channel of communication.
Sense of unity is created among the employees who share
and discuss their views with each other. Grapevine also
helps in developing group cohesiveness and serves as an
f communication is
vital for leaders to understand the impact it has on the
The grapevine is largely horizontal in nature although it
does not have any definite pattern or direction and it can
flourish
horizontally, vertically and even diagonally. As per
the research work on the nature of grapevine, Prof. Keith
Davis has classified it into four basic types
Single Strand Chain:
In the single strand chain information is passed through a
line of persons
to the ultimate recipient. In the figure, person
a, tells b, who tells c, who tells d, and so on, till the
information reaches most of the persons concerned.
8649, Vol. 1, No.2, April 2021
20
communication does not work. Feedback received by the
managers from their subordinates on their policies is quick
compared to formal channel of communication.
horizontally, vertically and even diagonally. As per
the research work on the nature of grapevine, Prof. Keith
Davis has classified it into four basic types
-
In the single strand chain information is passed through a
to the ultimate recipient. In the figure, person
a, tells b, who tells c, who tells d, and so on, till the
information reaches most of the persons concerned.

International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Configuration, ISSN: 2582-8649, Vol. 1, No.2, April 2021
21
Figure 1: Grapevine Pattern - Single Strand Chain
Gossip Chain:
In the gossip chain, one person seeks and tells the
information to everyone. In this chain the information passes
just like the structure of a wheel, where one person stays at
the centre and spreads information along the spokes of the
wheel to others stationed on the rim. In the following figure
a, is at the center and the information is passed to others
staying on the rim of the wheel.
Figure 2: Grapevine Pattern - Gossip Chain
Probability Chain:
It is a random process in which
someone transmits the information to others in accordance
with the laws of probability and then these others tell still
others in a similar way. This chain may also be called
random process. The probability chain is shown below-

Figure 3: Grapevine Pattern -
Probability Chain
Cluster Chain: A person shares the information
to the selected persons who may in turn relay the
information to some other selected persons in the
cluster chain. Cluster chain is followed in most of
the information communication. Cluster chain is
shown in the following figure-

International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Configuration, ISSN: 2582
Advantage of grapevine or informal
communication
The advantages
of informal communication are as follows:
1. Alternate system
: Formal system is not capable to
provide information to all in some cases. This gap
is covered by informal system.
3. Easy Interpretation
: It is observed that under the
formal system the information is given by the top
level management. Informal system is easy for the
employees to take the explanation and information.
It plays a vital role in completing any task properly.
4. Rapid communication
: Informal communication
transmits very fast. It seems significant to mention
that miss-
information or rumor spread rapidly in
comp
arison to formal communication to others in
the organization.
Advantages of grapevine
Discloses grievances
Easy Interpretation
Rapid communication
Efficiency Increased
Send Recommendations
International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Configuration, ISSN: 2582
-
8649, Vol. 1, No.2, April 2021

Figure 4: Grapevine Pattern
Cluster Chain
Advantage of grapevine or informal
of informal communication are as follows:
: Formal system is not capable to
provide information to all in some cases. This gap
2. Discloses grievances
: The employees disclose
without any hesitation their needs, s
their emotions to higher authority.
: It is observed that under the
formal system the information is given by the top
level management. Informal system is easy for the
employees to take the explanation and information.
It plays a vital role in completing any task properly.
: Informal communication
transmits very fast. It seems significant to mention
information or rumor spread rapidly in
arison to formal communication to others in
5. Efficiency Increased
: The employees openly
discuss their problems under the informal system
and find solutions for them. It even develops the
efficiency of the employees and the work is done
properly.
6.
Send Recommendations
inform their superior about their demands,
problems and the way to develop the
implementation system of the work in this system.
It also provides an opportunity to send the
recommendation to their manageme
Advantages of grapevine
Alternate system:
Discloses grievances
Easy Interpretation
Rapid communication
:
Efficiency Increased
:
Send Recommendations
8649, Vol. 1, No.2, April 2021
22
Figure 4: Grapevine Pattern
-
Cluster Chain
: The employees disclose
without any hesitation their needs, s
entiments and
their emotions to higher authority.
: The employees openly
discuss their problems under the informal system
and find solutions for them. It even develops the
efficiency of the employees and the work is done
Send Recommendations
: The employees easily
inform their superior about their demands,
problems and the way to develop the
implementation system of the work in this system.
It also provides an opportunity to send the
recommendation to their manageme
nt.

International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Configuration, ISSN: 2582
Disadvantages of grapevine or informal communication
The disadvantages of informal communication are as
follows:
1. Impossible to Maintain secrecy
of information
In informal communication system
communication is made by open discussion. It
really becomes impossible to maintain the secrecy
of the information because maximum
communication is made by open discussion.
2. Spreads rumor
: In this system, the misinformation
or rumor spreads rapidly
and the original
information is transformed to wrong information.
3.
Indifference towards Emotions
communication system sometimes develops the
adversary culture among the employees, as open
It is essential to take care of all the disadvantages of the
grapevine and try to minimize them to make best
possible use of the advantages of grapevine.
A sense of unity is created by
grapevine
employees who share and discuss their views with each
Disadvantages of grapevine
Impossible to Maintain secrecy of information
Spreads rumor
Indifference towards Emotions
Information Distorted
Difficult in controlling
Develops Misinterpretation
International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Configuration, ISSN: 2582
-
8649, Vol. 1, No.2, April 2021
Disadvantages of grapevine or informal communication
The disadvantages of informal communication are as
of information
:
In informal communication system
maximum
communication is made by open discussion. It
really becomes impossible to maintain the secrecy
of the information because maximum
communication is made by open discussion.
: In this system, the misinformation
and the original
information is transformed to wrong information.
Indifference towards Emotions
: Informal
communication system sometimes develops the
adversary culture among the employees, as open
communication can sometimes hurt the emotions of
other pers
on. The efficiency of the employees may
be reduced as they are not cooperative with one
another.
4.
Information Distorted
meaning and the subject matter of the information
is distorted in this system.
5.
Difficult in controlling
communication system there are no ground rules. It
is really difficult to control the information that is
disseminated.
6.
Develops Misinterpretation
opportunity to develop misunderstanding as the
employees do not obey the formal authorizat
system.
It is essential to take care of all the disadvantages of the
grapevine and try to minimize them to make best
grapevine
among the
employees who share and discuss their views with each
other. Group cohesiveness is developed by
also serves as an emotional support system along with that it
works as a supplement in those cases where we are not
capable in using formal
communication.
References:
1.
Davis, K. (1953). Management
communication and the grapevine. Harvard
Business Review, 31, 43
2.
Davis, K. (1973). The care and cultivation
of the corporate grapevine. Dun's R
44–47.
Disadvantages of grapevine
Impossible to Maintain secrecy of information
Indifference towards Emotions
Develops Misinterpretation
8649, Vol. 1, No.2, April 2021
23
communication can sometimes hurt the emotions of
on. The efficiency of the employees may
be reduced as they are not cooperative with one
Information Distorted
: In most cases, the
meaning and the subject matter of the information
is distorted in this system.
Difficult in controlling
: Under informal
communication system there are no ground rules. It
is really difficult to control the information that is
Develops Misinterpretation
: It creates the
opportunity to develop misunderstanding as the
employees do not obey the formal authorizat
ion
other. Group cohesiveness is developed by
grapevine and it
also serves as an emotional support system along with that it
works as a supplement in those cases where we are not
communication.
Davis, K. (1953). Management
communication and the grapevine. Harvard
Business Review, 31, 43
–49.
Davis, K. (1973). The care and cultivation
of the corporate grapevine. Dun's R
eview, pp.

International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Configuration, ISSN: 2582-8649, Vol. 1, No.2, April 2021
24
3. DeVito, J. A. (1986). The communication
handbook: A dictionary. NewYork: Harper&
Row.
4. Harrison, K. (2013). How to deal with
Rumors in Grapevine. StudyMode.com. Retrieved
June 08, 2013, from
http://www.studymode.com/essays/Article-For-
Grapevine-1565518.html.
5. Kumar, S. (2013). Grapevine
Communication (Informal Business
Communication). Retrieved on June
09, 2013 from
http://www.scribd.com/doc/45125436/Grapevine-
Communication
6. Pravin, G. K. (2013). Types of Communication.
Retrieved on June 09, 2013 from http://pravinxk.
hubpages.com/hub/TypesofCommunication.
7. Tehaeureka, N.F.S. (2012). Gossip and
Grapevine. StudyMode.com. Retrieved June 08,
2013, from
http://www.studymode.com/essays/Gossip-And-
Grapevine-1017255.html.
8. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/31704463
6_Review_of_the_Grapevine_Communication
[accessed Apr 20 2021].