In an organization, employees interact with each other while working. They exchange their ideas, thoughts, data and opnions. This sharing of information is known as communication.
Communication plays a very important role in any organization. Within an organization, there are two types of communication Formal Communication Formal channels like Memos,emails,manual and staff meetings are used for formal communication. Informal Communication Informal communication occurs through the grapevine,no formal channels are used in this communication, just people share their feelings and thoughts in a way they like. It arises in all organization because of co-existence of people. Just like a grapvine plant it spreads in any random ways and goes in every direction of organization. Despite of formal communication channels existance, people use informal channels to interact with each other.
It comprises of rumors and gossips. Grapevine is present in all the levels of organization becuase of human’s natural desire to know things and sense of belongingness among employees. Generally during breaks employees talk about their superiors and their working style and attitude. Some factors like promotion, recession, new technology, takeovers and some personal factors encourages involving in grapevine communication. At time of recession, employees lose self confidence and due to which they form unions.
There are four types of grapevine communication:
- Single Strand Chain in this communication inform is passed from one person to another in a single chain.
- Gossip chain In this communication one person works as a wheel and transmits the information to all members of group.
- Probability chain The information pass information to selected member only. This is known as random communication.
- Cluster chain In this communication one person pass the information to selected persons who may in turn pass the information to other selected persons.
