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Grapevine Communication

            The most powerful communication tool in the workplace is the "grapevine". If manipulated properly, this form of communication can greatly benefit a company. If ignored, the grapevine can create havoc within an organization.
             Astute managers have come to realize several aspects concerning the grapevine: The grapevine will never be eliminated, that it circulates information quickly and is oblivious to any damage it creates. One way to combat the potential destructive consequences of the inaccurate information is to take the time to listen to the grapevine instead of ignoring it. Once managers are aware of the content of the grapevine, they can head off potential problems by manipulating further grapevine communications by injecting factual information into the pipeline. This actually serves a dual purpose. It helps to keep managers informed on what issues are important to their employees and also keeps the managers aware of whether or not they are properly providing official information to their employees. In most cases, lack of company provided information is at the root of the problem for employees will often make up their own scenarios.
             If the grapevine cannot be abolished, an organization must find ways to use it to its advantage. Managers should ask employees to approach them with any rumors. This would be the best way to correct inaccurate information before it becomes harmful.
             Grapevine conversations are often just another form of gossip and gossip is basically about bonding. Gossiping heightens connectedness between people. A lot of people feel more loved as they gossip. You value me; I value you as we share these secrets.
             In an office, you often replicate a lot of things that happened in your family. Hours spent in the office often equal or exceed time spent with one's own family members. This is why things in an office can get intense fast. This tension gives rise to gossip sessions, which helps to satisfy the employees" need for power and control over the situation.


Essays Related to Grapevine Communication

1. Communication Systems in Large Organisations

... , they cannot be ignored. No one can stamp out the system, or block it. On the contrary, managers who support poor communication strategies create the right conditions for excessive use and abuse of the grapevine. This is likely to happen when an organisation: Failes to give people enough information through other channels Gives Official Information that is unclear ... organisation and ought be avoided. It is important to point out that informal channels can both help and hinder formal communication, but one definite advantage of informal communication is that, when used it can bypass lay...

  • Word Count: 1737
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

2. Experiential Analysis - Organizational Communication

... the only way many of us find out what is happening, via what is known as the grapevine. The grapevine functions as a means to pass messages between employees external to the formal communication process, and is often driven by curiosity (Williams & McWilliams, 2010, p306). This curiosity is based on a need to know what is going on, and how it will affect me as ... well as those around me. Using the grapevine is often how team members fill in the gaps of information created ... by the ineffective communication skills of management. Diagonal Communication Diagonal communication is commun...

  • Word Count: 2583
  • Approx Pages: 10
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

3. Experiental Analysis - Organizational Communication

... the only way many of us find out what is happening, via what is known as the grapevine. The grapevine functions as a means to pass messages between employees external to the formal communication process, and is often driven by curiosity (Williams & McWilliams, 2010, p306). This curiosity is based on a need to know what is going on, and how it will affect me as ... well as those around me. Using the grapevine is often how team members fill in the gaps of information created ... by the ineffective communication skills of management. Diagonal Communication Diagonal communication is commun...

  • Word Count: 2619
  • Approx Pages: 10
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

4. Communication in Big Business

... help any further changes that may need to occur to make a better product. According to Excellence in Business Communication, "Communication freely helps employees develop a clear sense of the organization's mission and helps managers identify and react quickly to potential problems" (Bovee & Thill, ... from department to department, this can help out in decision making by talking to someone in another office. One more form of communication is informal or the "grapevine". "Often termed grapevine activity, rumor or gossip these forms of exchange are regarded as an inevitable part of organiz...

  • Word Count: 820
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

5. The Design and Operation of

... the organisation. There are two specific forms of communications within the organisations the first being the briefing groups which are an example of formal communication, usually of a vertical nature. Briefing groups consist of a manager or supervisor and some or all of his subordinates, in discussion over ... on to his Subordinate "C" and so on. In contrast to this, the grapevine operates most strongly on a horizontal plane and is an informal method of communication. The grapevine is infamous for the rapidity with which communication is spread, but it suffers from distortion in much ...

  • Word Count: 3157
  • Approx Pages: 13
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

6. Managing Corporate Knowledge

... is limited to locating someone with the knowledge, pointing the seeker to it, and encouraging them to interact while providing the necessary technological aids to enable a rich communication. Arthur Andersen provides the AA Online system for linking communities of interest across the globe. Through AA Online, consultants can access members of the community for advise, ... of interest and then to peruse them off- line. Notes-based knowledge management implementations are often accompanied by other tools, particularly where the management of external knowledge is concerned. GrapeVINE, use...

  • Word Count: 4766
  • Approx Pages: 19
  • Has Bibliography

7. HRM

... communication: written, one-on-one meetings, and small and large-group meetings. Employees need a chance to probe, discuss, ask questions, and arrive of personal level of understanding that they can't get from piece of paper. For the communication process to be successful it is very important to talk with the employees even before the whole information is produced, rather than let the grapevine ... fill the communication channels. Koonce (1996) analyse the communication process and found that behind most organizational problems, such as, decreased productivity, deteriorating customer ser...

  • Word Count: 4972
  • Approx Pages: 20
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

8. Nike's Leadership and Brand Image

... it is through these legendary tales of Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman that carry that management ideology and reinforce company policy. These stories go from person to person through the grapevine. While they are rarely stories that are shared in a large audience corporate setting, they are passed down from older members within the organization. Do Members Understand? Organizationally speaking, members ... the functionality of Nike's marketing mix and product concepts work to be dynamic throughout the world. Local athletes and more regionally popular sports are emphasized using a combin...

  • Word Count: 7323
  • Approx Pages: 29

9. Importance of Organizational Behavior

... communications are effective if it preserves desired behavior or changes behavior for the better. Communication initiatives only succeed if supported by managers and supervisors. They are the communication link. They utilize face-to-face communications, provide accurate information on the "grapevine", and utilize print, audio-visual and electronic communications. (Howard, 1998). Employees can be either of two things, ... are biggest ambassadors or our loudest critics. By opening the doors of communication, a manager can increase an employee's job satisfaction ... skill managers. The per...

  • Word Count: 1163
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

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