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GRAPEVINE COMMUNICATION

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Lawrence Zviks
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16 views

GRAPEVINE COMMUNICATION

Uploaded by

Lawrence Zviks
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Dr. S.

Mirza

MBA-2nd semester

GRAPEVINE COMMUNICATION
What is Grapevine Communication or Informal communication. If
communication is done without maintaining the formalities prescribed by the
organization, it is called informal communication.

The basis of informal communication is personal or informal relationship


between the members of a group. It is also known as grapevine that takes place
when the people of an organization or group, especially of same level or rank
gather or meet tighter and discuss informally.

It has no definite pattern or direction though it is largely horizontal in nature. It


is a complex web of oral information flow linking all the members of the
organization.

So, grapevine is an informal, unofficial and personal communication channel or


system that takes place within the organization as a result of rumor and gossip.
It is a complex web of oral information flow linking all the members of the
organization.

Patterns or Types of Grapevine


The grapevine does not have any definite pattern or direction, though it is
largely horizontal in nature. It can be effective horizontally, vertically and even
diagonally. Prof. Keith Davis, who has done some research work on the nature
of grapevine, has classified it into four basic types-

• Single Strand Chain: The single strand chain involves the passing of
information through a line of persons to the ultimate recipient. In the
figure, the person A tells B, who tells C, who tells D, and so on, till the
information has reached most of the persons involved or concerned.
• Gossip Chain: In the gossip chain, one person seeks and tells the
information to everyone. This chain is just like the wheel where one
person stays at the centre and the information passes along the spokes
of the wheel to others stationed on the rim. In the following figure, A is
at the center and passes the information to others staying on the rim
of the wheel.
• Probability Chain: The probability chain 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-

• Cluster Chain: In the cluster chain, a person tells the information to


the selected persons who may in turn relay (pass) the information to
other selected persons. Most of the information communication follows
this chain. Cluster chain is shown in the following figure-

So we find four major patterns of grapevine available in different organizations.


They are not mutually exclusive rather than inclusive.

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