It represents communication among people free from all sorts of formalities. v. It gives opportunity to employees to form social group and communicate with each other. It is the primary means of managerial communication; on a typical day, over three fourths of a manager’s communications occur via face-to-face interactions. When communication flows between manager and outside groups like suppliers, creditors, banks, etc. What is Grapevine Communication? As per an analysis, around 80% of the rumors in grapevine communication are … Upward communication also fetches both advantages and disadvantages to the organisation. Downward communication is used by the managers for the following purposes: ii. Employees seek information to reduce their uncertainty and anxiety about their jobs and the future of the company. Thus, it has a clear pre-defined path to follow without any confusion or choice. (ii) It helps to develop better understanding between subordinates and his immediate superior. In large organisations, the process of communicating with employees is undertaken by a staff of communication experts whose usual function is to produce a publication aimed at three purposes – (i) to explain the organisation’s plans and programmes as they are implemented; (ii) to answer complaints and criticisms; and (iii) to defend the status quo and those who are responsible for it. When the supervisor of the accounting department communicates with the director of marketing concerning advertising budget expenditures, the flow of communication is horizontal. These documents are stored within the organisation and thus are free from any personal intervention. This can be done in two ways. Directionless – Informal communication does not follow any specified direction of flow. Content Guidelines 2. Thus, for organisations being a cluster of people working for common goals and objectives, communication is a life giving tool. From the grapevine, a manager can find out what his subordinate are thinking. To avoid the challenges associated with grapevine communication, empirical studies It provides feedback on how well the organization is functioning. iii. A manager cannot eliminate the grapevine. External communication c. Horizontal communication d. Upward communication View Answer / Hide Answer Interpersonal communications travel from individual to individual in face-to-face and group settings and the forms vary from direct verbal orders to casual, nonverbal expression. While some messages are passed through formal communication, some others may spread through informal deliberations, grapevine, etc. (iv) It may result in leakage of confidential information. Our mission is to provide an online platform to help students to discuss anything and everything about Economics. Moreover, by knowing who can communicate to whom, people are also at ease and comfort in terms of communicational guidelines. Such communications include comments, suggestions or any other informal reaction. Communication acts as a linking pin for accelerating various functions of management and bringing together superiors and subordinates for common goals. While being on work, one wishes to talk and spend time for matters other than work such as taking lunch together, discussing about a common hobby in tea break, venting out after having a scolding from boss, etc. Also, informal communication systems such as the grapevine can be used by managers to benefit programmes, policies, or plans. However, managers need to do much more than just inform people what they need to do to support the plan. Informal communication provides a platform for such discussions. The most important benefit of upward communication is bringing meaning to the work done. For example, the Cost and Works Account who is interested in conducting a distribution cost analysis may ask a report directly from the sales representatives. Formal communication flows through the hierarchical positions as laid down in the organisational chart. (ii) Dynamic and Quick – Informal communication is dynamic and reacts quickly. It relieves employees from pressures and frustrations of work situations. (c) Circular Communication Network – In case of circular network, the message moves in a circle. For example, the production and marketing departments should be well informed of each other’s functioning as marketing schedule and production schedule are interdependent. Informal communication has the following features: 1. There are four key variables associated with communication: control, motivation, emotional, and expression. Uncontrollable Management – This communication although may carried out within the organisation but is not within the purview of management. Such communications are carried out for ensuring coordination, sharing of mutual information and overall organisational development. Entertaining rumours stay because people find them interesting. 6. It may be between peers, between managers at same levels or between any horizontally equivalent organisational members. reason, information from the informal channel is considered second class by employees. This type of communication is very essential for maintaining a smooth flow of functioning and balance between different departments or different business units. The cluster pattern of grapevine in which only select individuals repeat what they hear, is the pattern most commonly found in organisations. Formal communication works like watertight compartments without giving any flexibility to people to develop bondings and affiliations. 3. It helps in exercising control over subordinates and in fixation of responsibility. Addressing the factors associated with grapevine chatter can minimize but never totally eliminate the amount of informal communication occurring. (iii) As grapevine has no definite origin, nobody can be held responsible for it. (iv) It implies delay tactics and redtapism process in the organisation. Posters fall under ......................... communication, 35. They are governed by pre-determined rules and regulations leaving no scope for exercising their creativity or innovation. In other words, it refers to information moving from subordinates to superiors. Such rumours may disturb the smooth functioning of an organisation, may create conflicts and misunderstanding among employees and may lead to a turbulent organisational environment. Spontaneous – Informal communication may take place at any time, between any members of organisation instantaneously. Both the systems exist in all organisations. Informal communication refers to exchange of ideas, views, information and opinions among organisational members without following any prescribed pattern, not falling within the boundaries of rules and regulations and primarily non-official in nature. Its intended messages are those which present the organisation’s side of issues. Each person adds or subtracts something from the original message depending on his interest. Being a network of networks, grapevine communication conglomerates gossip, rumors, and official information. The grapevine can provide yet another communication vehicle to keep the work force informed about job-related matters. 1. Informal communication, being deliberately initiated by people, has the following advantages: This medium of communication which is purely informal and unofficial is initiated as and when desired by the communicators. One plant manager routinely meets each Monday at 7.30 A.M. with each department head to go over the upcoming week’s work schedule, to review progress toward objectives, and to anticipate any problems that will require the attention of more than one department. Members of an informal groups pass on informal and opinions to each other as well as to other informal groups. The merits of informal communication are as under: i. horizontal; formal; informal; vertical 33. They also must motivate people to support … (i) Faster Speed – Communications are transmitted at a faster speed. This type of communication are mostly in black and white. Lack of Evidence and Problems in Accountability Fixation: Informal communication, being primarily oral in nature, does not keep a check on what is being said and by whom. it does not follow horizontal or vertical communication. (iv) It helps to link persons who are not in the official chain of command. Increases Organisational Efficiency – Formal channels of communication ensure smooth flow of information through organisational hierarchy. A high-performing organisation needs both effective upward communications as much as effective downward communication. Formal Communication 2. Grapevine is an integral part of the communication system in an organization. Large organisations, where there are many people who are working closely, create certain unofficial or informal communication channels. Records for Future Reference – Primarily being in written mode, formal communication documents are always preserved and stored for future record and reference. Providing feedback on employees performance. Grapevine Definition in Business Communication. Here in informal organization communication is done through the grapevine. Therefore, management must supply the true facts in time preferably through face to face talk. It is also known as top-down communication. Therefore, it spreads very fast and with wide coverage. As a result, people keep on extending such talks at the cost of their formal tasks. (iv) It helps to develop good relations between leaders and his subordinates. A lot of information flows horizontally in an organization. Points : 25 Introduction: Grapevine communication is an informal form of communication in an organization. Once a rumour’s theme is known and accepted, people distort future messages to conform to the rumour. By having informal affiliations, work becomes amiable and people around appears like a family. Current problems can be corrected and future difficulties can be headed off. If not coordinated properly, lateral communication may cause delays and rift in the departments. A great deal of the research on informal organizational communication centers on the study of grapevine communication. For example, before an interview, giving few advices. An attempt is made to make the flow of information orderly so that it flows smoothly and timely to the points where it is required. It is also known as “channel of command.”. Messages are often sent and accurately received, and feedback is frequently obtained. Communications do not flow randomly within organisations, nor do they necessarily follow the formal pathways published in an organisational chart. It is normally said that informal information spreads as fast as fire in the forest. He can also use the grapevine to make certain facts known about which he does not like to make an official statement. Discussion may be made on any topic of interest to the group and with any person irrespective of his position in the organisation chart. It mainly depends upon the nature of channels of communication and the number of persons involved in the communication process. 7. It is difficult to erase a rumour from the minds of the people. Grapevine Communication: It is a form of informal communication in business that develops within an organisation. Formal communication may also take place between an enterprise and the external environment. Grapevine: Grapevine refers to an informal type of organizational communication. Through it passes an assortment of facts, opinions, suspicions, and rumours that typically do not move through the formal channels. 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. Formal communications are generally in writing. This preview shows page 11 - 18 out of 21 pages. Following formal communication for official purposes make information more structured, systematic and relevant. For example, the effectiveness of downward communication is directly dependent on whether it is being complemented by effective upward communication and vice versa. Therefore, management must supply the true facts in time preferably through face to face talk. Lack of Cordiality – Formal communication is basically a communication between positions and not people holding those positions. This type of communication is also known as – ‘Grapevine’ communication. This is quite similar to the vine of grapes. When a roumour is repeated people may assume that it has been confirmed. Top management must depend on subordinates for vital information received from suggestion systems, open-door discussions, attitude surveys, and participative decision meetings. Falsified facts travelling through the rumour mill can be corrected by feeding accurate information to primary communicators or liaison individuals. (iii) The action taken on the basis of such communication may be erratic and may lead the organisation in difficulty. Such communication enables the management to know what is happening throughout the organization. Many rumours are believed because the information is important to the acquired work force. Privacy Policy3. The message should contains facts and not opinions. It should not repeat the rumour. Feedbacks in formal structure are usually manipulated and fabricated, thus non-reliable. Lateral communication may be exercised in the following ways: iv. In their absence, employees find ways to adapt to non-existent or inadequate upward communication channels, as evidenced by the emergence of underground employee publications in many large organisations. Once the source of a rumour becomes known, it should be removed as early as possible. The grapevine is formed by individuals and groups in an organization. Downward Communication 2. Then a diagram of these patterns, known as a sociogram, is drawn showing the pathways used for communication. Informal communication is otherwise known as ............................ communication, 37. Oral downward communication may take place by means of instructions, meetings, the telephone, loudspeakers and even the grapevine. Sociometry helps in the study of informal pathways. It may be a potential problem, a creative idea, a feeling of personal satisfaction. Due to informal linkages, people may disclose some vital information at the wrong time which may create confusions and conflicts or in front of wrong people who may misuse such information. These three directions summarise the path that official communications travel in an organisation. Grapevine communication is a metaphor for a communication system that began in the 1860s during the Civil War in America as a description for telegraph lines that were strung through trees, resembling grapevines. (ii) The personal motives are other dominant it transmitting information through the grapevine. When a roumour is repeated people may assume that it has been confirmed. These can be called liaison individuals. Thus informal communication promotes cooperation on sound lines. It may be defined as that information which is circulated through grapevine without any authentic evidence of its existence. While communicating informally, people do not present an artificial face and are frank in their discussions. (ii) Responsibility cannot be fixed – In the absence of a proper channel of command, responsibility of an action or of erratic information cannot be fixed and therefore, any action taken on the basis of such communication may be erratic and may lead the organisation in difficulty. This is the highly sensitive channel as … Its primary objective is to fulfill basic human desire to interact for which talking and speaking is the best mode. Some rumours that travel through the company grapevine or outside the organisation are true. Informal communication offers the following benefits: (i) It helps in developing better human relations in the organization. Third, upward communication may not be a genuine communication and rather may be a fabricated one for want of superior’s praise and being in his good books. Large organisations are more and more viewed with distrust and suspicion. It provides them a feeling of being human having their own individual identity rather than just instruments to fill up the positional roles. It is also difficult to find out the beginning and the end of the grapevine. Share Your PDF File UGC NET Study materiel on Communication Topics for NET Exam has been covered entirely based on topics provided in syllabus. (ii) It increases the workload on the line supervisors because all communications are transmitted through them. Good informal structure compliments the existence of formal structure in many ways. Management can also take the help of union leaders in combating rumours which are in the interests of neither the workers nor the organization. There are informal channels of communication. Organisations, being formal structures, follows written mode of communication such as – letters, memos, notices, circulars, handbooks and e-mails. Newstrom and K. Davis said, “Grapevine is an informal system that arises spontaneously from the social interaction of the organization.” Business Communication. Share Your Word File Subordinates know many things that a superior needs to know but does not know. (i) Misinforming and Misleading – It very often carries half-truths, rumours and distorted information with an alarming rate of speed. Downward, upward and horizontal communications are complementary to one another. 2. Most common forms of downward communication are job instructions, official memos, policy statements, procedures, posters, manuals, and company publications. It works faster than formal communication. However, horizontal communication is hampered by specialized thinking and narrow outlook. (ii) It serves to fill possible gaps in the formal communication due to its flexible and personal nature. Each person can communicate with his two neighborhood colleagues. Informal communication is an outcome of an individual’s basic desire to socialise according to his desires, with the person of his choice, at the time comfortable to him and without any positional pressures. Upper-level managers often do not respond to messages sent from lower-level employees. The sociogram also singles out a liaison person, who is at the centre of information flow. Grapevine is the formal flow of communication in organizations. May breed animosity against particular executives. Useful for developing group cohesiveness. It … (iv) The confidential information often leaks out through informal communication. Horizontal Communication 4. Informal communication despite not having any formal sanction is inevitable and functions parallel to the formal structure. Such communication does not have any layout and need not be carried out within the organisational premises. It is very useful when information is required to be communicated very quickly. Thus, even if people are communicating, there is no personal touch or friendliness in it. With informal channel, they feel more secure and contended. One, it may be used to spread information rapidly, which otherwise would not have been possible. The types of informal communication are: 1. Since it is unstructured and not under complete control of management, it moves through the organization in every direction. The communication network represents the pattern of contacts among the members of an organisation. It is used to issue orders and instructions to employees. It is also known as bottom-up communication. Important rumours have staying power because their information concerns people. Positive side. Such information has no authentic base to prove its genuineness, may be distorted or may be only a viewpoint rather than a fact. Such communication is helpful in coordinating the activities of different departments or divisions of the enterprise. The employees can express their feelings, fears, suggestions and apprehensions more freely. Regular provision of such information to employees helps to create a sense of belonging, a feeling of loyalty to the organization and an active interest in the work. It frequently arises due to employees’ anxiety and insecurity caused by poor formal communication. Grapevine communication is a form of informal communications in business that develops within an organisation. Personal measurements, e.g., incidence of accidents, absenteeism and labour turnover, opinion and attitude survey are also to evaluate the effectiveness of downward communication. 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