November 8, 2018 Organizational Behaviour Discussion Post 10

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The grapevine, or informal communication network within an organization, occurs as organizational members spread professional information, gossip and/or rumors throughout organizations.
Advantages of the grapevine are the speed and reliability for non-confrontational, professionally relevant information 75% of the time (unreliable for personal/emotionally charged information/gossip.) It is timely, inexpensive and provides an alternative source of power to individuals outside of the formal communication networks. Grapevines can also serve management as a testing grounds for how employees will react to information about change or difficult news. A manager will plant an ear-worm with a chatty employee and gauge the response of the workforce before formally implementing the change. The grapevine also serves as an informal recruiting source.
The grapevine can come disadvantageous when it is used as an avenue for rumours, which are generally unverified, negative and emotional-reactive-inducing messages that can cause great upset within organizations. They can be so problematic that many firms invest in rumor control mechanisms.
In our Western society, “killing the grapevine” is impossible. Without violating people’s human rights, you cannot effectively cut off the grapevine. Informal communication will always exist. Organizations can instead focus their efforts on encouraging healthy, proactive and engaging informal communication and utilize these methods to their advantage.

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