Grapevine Communication: Advantages and Disadvantages

March 21, 2013 by Facevalue 1 Comment

What is grapevine communication? By definition, grapevine is a form of informal communication that is

usually based on rumors. In an organization setting, grapevine communication is prevalent at the lower levels of an establishment or organization.
Many have asked why such type of communication is called grapevine.

The reason Grapevine communication is called grapevine is because of its similarity to a grape vine. If you know grape vines then youd know one
interesting thing about them, which is the fact that it is extremely difficult to find its origin. Same can be said about grapevine communication because
it is all based on rumors. The origin of the information might never be known.

A typical example of grapevine communication in an organization or establishment is conversations that go on between co-workers during lunch
breaks, on their way home from work or even in company parking lots.

In this brief article on grapevine communication, we are going to take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of grapevine communication.

Advantages of grapevine communication

1.

The first advantage of a grapevine communication is the fact that information through this channel is extremely fast. Many have said of
grapevine communication to be one of the fastest forms of communication. It spreads faster than wild fire.

2.

Another advantage of grapevine communication is that it tends to bring a sense of unity among employees of an organization when they
meet to share and discuss certain issues. Experts say that because of the nature of grapevine communication, it enhances group
cohesiveness in many organizations all over the world.

3.

Grapevine communication is an informal mode of communication but it plays an instrumental role in aiding the formal methods of
communication in every organization.

4.

In organizations or establishments where formal communications do not function properly, grapevine communication comes to the rescue.
Information through grapevine ends up being the only way employees can get any information about things going on around them.

Disadvantages of Grapevine communication

1.

Grapevine information since it is largely based on rumors tends to carry along with it partial information which ends up not giving the real
state of affairs in an organization.

2.

Information received through grapevine might not be true.

3.

Another great disadvantage of grapevine communication is the fact that it can damage an organizations goodwill. For instance imagine a
situation where lower ranking employees of an organization begin peddling false information about people at the top. This action can
gradually destroy the goodwill of the organization.

4.

The fourth disadvantage with grapevine communication is one that is common in many organizations all over the world. This is when
employees become unproductive thanks to grapevine. Grapevine communication can make organizations lose a lot of money because
thanks to grapevine employees spend work hours talking about the latest rumor circulating around them. The organization pays dearly for
this.

5.

Grapevine communication cannot be relied on because it is not trustworthy. If not managed properly, it can have serious implications

Although informal communication creates so many advantages but they are not free from drawbacks or
limitations. Some significant demerits or disadvantages of informal communication system are as follows:
1. Distortion: Informal communication networks do not follow any set of rules, definite liners or ways. So it
can transmit any kind of information to any person without any respect or fear. It may spread wrong or
distorted news which may sometimes prove harmful even to the employees. So, it is the one of most
considerable disadvantages of informal communication.
2. Lack of Secrecy: In informal communication, everybody can freely interact as there are no restriction or
rules. Any secret matter is likely to be flashed without any problem or hesitation. This may cause a huge
damage to any organization.
3. Incomplete Information: Information released from such communication network is usually incomplete.
So, There is each and every chance of it to be misunderstood or misinterpreted.
4. Non-Co-Operation: Sometimes, confusion develops among the persons involved in informal
communication. As a result, they may remain separate without any co-operation.
5. Lack of Resistance: As informal communication does not follow any established system, it is beyond
any control. Organization has no mechanism to resist its movement.
6. Huge Rumor: Most of the time, informal communication fabricates the real facts and makes some rosy
picture. This really damages the working environment of any organization.
7. Misunderstanding: Lack of conduct, decency, decorum and rules cause misunderstanding in informal
communication. As a result there may be conflict between employees.
8. Committing Mistakes: This sort of communication are subject to errors and mistakes because no
officials rules or regulation operate in this case of informal communication.
9. Difficult to Control: Such communication can produce division or groups and subgroups in the
organization. People involved here do not follow any rules and regulation as they depend on their own
philosophy. All these may destroy the control of the respective authority.