Grapevine originates from the psychological need of the employees Fundamentals of

to talk about their jobs and their associates as the subject of their main Communication
interest. The absence of grapevine surely creates the dull, sick and NOTES
unfriendly atmosphere in the organization. Grapevine is also described
as the barometer of public opinion in the organization. If the manager
is sensitive to it, he can gather information about the ideas, opinions,
attitudes and interests of the employees.
The grapevine gives an opportunity to the employees to let off the
suppressed air of anxiety, worries and frustration. When they talk
about their associates, they get emotional relief. The fact that the
employees talk about their associates or that they have the interest in
their associates is a proof of the high morale. Thus, the grapevine not
only promotes unity, integrity and solidarity of the organization but it
also helps to raise the morale of the employees.
Limitations of Grapevine
1 The grapevine may carry some degree of error in it.
2 The baseless, imaginary and non-factual messages may prove
harmful to the organization.
3 Often the employees feed the grapevine with self-serving
information. They add to the facts rather than simply report.
1 The grapevine often carries incomplete information, which leads
to misunderstanding of the receiver.
2 The communicator does not take the responsibility of the message.
3 Sometimes the grapevine spreads the message so swiftly that it
causes damage to the organization.
How to use the Grapevine
The management can use grapevine to supplement the formal channels
of communication. Though it carries some degree of error and
distortion, efforts can be made to correct it. Ignoring the grapevine is
nothing but to ignore a valuable source of communication. The
management can eliminate its negative consequences and, at the same
time, it can nourish its positive benefits. The managers have to learn
to manage and control it.

Self-Instructional Material 13