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II. INFORMAL COMMUNICATION (GRAPEVINE COMMUNICATION):-, So far we have been discussing the formal channels of communication which follow certain, definite, predetermined directions. Apart from them, there operates in every organisation an Iniorila, channel of communication called the grapevine. It follows no set lines, nor any definite rulles, but, spreads, like the grapevine, in any direction, anywhere, and spreads fast., Informal communication takes place outside the formally prescribed and planned network or, channel. Unlike formal communication which is deliberately created or documented; it is spontaneous, and off the records and beyond organisational 'hierarchy. It has no set rules and regulations and no, particular direction. It is also called Grapevine., It represents the unofficial channels of communication which are created and controlled by, people themselves rather than by management., The informal channel of communication is often discouraged or looked down upon in an, organisation, and is not officially sanctioned. The informal communication thus is one in which the, members interact with each other in an unofficial capacity. Such communication is mostly of verbal type, and occurs with unbelievable speed and velocity. As there is no clarity of message, the receivers may, draw from it the meaning of their own. It is spontaneous and may not require any special efforts to install, an informal system of communication., CHARACTERISTICS, Spontaneous :- The informal communicátion occurs in a natural course and spontaneously., Exists With Formal Communication :- Informal communication is the by-product or an off-, shoot of the formal communication system of an enterprise., Full Freedom :- The members enjoy full'freedom of expression in communicating with each, other., (i), (ii), (ii), Supportive :- If the managers are intelligent enough, they can make better use of the ideas, (iv), and messages flowing from informal communication in the larger interests of the organisation., Exists At All Level Personnel :- The informal communication may take place among the, employees, executives and mangers working at all the levels of organisational hierarchy., Fulfillment Of Personal Needs :-Such communication is aimed at satisfying the personal,, (v) ·, (vi), social and psychological needs of the employees,, (vii) Informal Relationships :- The relationship among the parties to communication are more, informal, personal and friendly., GRAPEVINE CHAINS:-, Keith Davis has identified four types of grapevine chains which are as follows :-, Single Strand :- In this type, information flows through a long line of persons to the ultimate, (1), Scanned by CamScanner

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receiver. P tells Q who tells R and so on until it reaches W. Thus, P communicates with W, through intervening persons in a strand., Gossip Wheel :- It involves passing of information from a person in the centre to all others, (2), around him. This network is like a wheel P is at the centre and the information passes along the, spokes to all others on the rim. Thus, P communicates non-selectively with everyone. This, chain is often used to convey information which is not related to the job., Probability Chain :- Here P communicates randomly with others according to the laws of, (3), probability. One person transmits information at random to others who in turn transmit further in, a similar manner., Cluster Chains :- It involves selective communication in a group. Pselectively communicates, (4), with those he can trust who may in turn transmit the information to selected persons. Cluster, chain is the dominant grapevine pattern and most informal communication flows through this, chain., beene, W, W, R, Gossip, Wheel, W, olermotnine, Cluster, R, Y, R, s), P, roaliis ), Probability, Single, Chains, Strand, Scanned by CamScanner, 22

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ADVANTAGES OF GRAPEVINE/INFORMAL COMMUNICATION:-, The Informal communication in an organisation is a boon in disguise or a mixed blessing. It has, both the positive and negative sides. If the managers in the formal organisation are prudent, Intelligent, and skilled enough, they can make proper use of informal communication are as stated below., Speedy Transmission :- Informal channels of communication transmit information very fast., This is because the message has not to pass through any prescribed routes. A rumour spreads, Iike wild fire. As soon as an emplovee comes to know something which he feels is confidential or, Top secret' he communicates it to his colleaques, Sometimes, managers also transmit, information by using'just between you and me' remarks., (1), (2), Feeaback :- It is above all through the grapevine that the managers or top bosses of an, organisation get the feed back regarding their policies, decisions, memos etc. the feedback, reaches them much faster through the informal channel than through the formal channel., Through the grapevine the managers come to know the pulse of the organisation., Psychological Satisfaction :- Informal communication draws employees closer to each, other and creates in them a sense of belonaing. It strengthens group identity and maintains the, organisation as a social entity., (3), (4), Social Relations : Informal communication strengthens the social dirnensions of the, organisation as it provides platform for employees social gatherings not only in organisation but, outside the organisation also., (5), Support To Formal Channels :- The grapevine serves as a supplementary channel of, communication. The formal channels of communication impose certain constraints on the free, flow of information and take more time. Grapevine can be used to transmit information which is, considered unsuitable for the formal channels of communication., (6), Obtaining Love And Friendship :- The informal communication assists in the fulfillment of, the employees urge for love, affinity and friendship with each other., Dilutes Fatigue :- It is because of informal communication occurring in a friendly atmosphere, that it helps to dilute or minimise the fatigue, boredom and frustration caused by formal, communication., (7), Favourable Attitude :- Such communication assists in making the attitude and behaviour of, the employees positive and favourable and they may tend to give better cooperation to, management., (8), Updating Knowledge :- It is through informal communication that the employees are enabled, to update their knowledge., (9), (10) Awareness :-, Through informal discussions and interactions, the employees can be made, aware about their rights and privileges., (11) Personality Development :- It is through such communication and the consequent actions, that the personal development of the employees and their families can be made possible., (12) Self-Help :- It is through informal communication and the consequent activities initiated by the, members of the informal groups that the spirit of self-help through mutual help and cooperation is, encouraged., (13) Employee Morale :- The informal communication by benefiting the employees in many ways, helps to boost up their morale., (14) Good Relations :- Such communication, if properly controlled and productively used can, assist in bettering the industrial relations in the organisation., Nay, Scanned by CamScanner

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LIMITATIONS OF THE GRAPEVINE :-, As it is said earlier that the informal communication is both the boon and a curse. If it is in, controllable limit and the managers are enabled to make productive use of such communication, it, result in employee satisfaction, their personal development, better industrial relations and progress a, prosperity of the enterprise. However, if not properly and prudently used and controlled, it many give rise, to excessive rumour mongering or grape-vine communication posing danger to the very existence of the, organisation. The following are the disadvantages of informal communications., Misleading :- It usually happens that informal communication carries half-truths, rumours, (1), false and fabricated stories, etc. Because of lack of their accuracy and authenticity they, misinform employees or executives oréven mislead them., Misunderstanding :- Grapevine often carries incomplete information. Therefore, it may not, (2), give the complete picture and may create misunderstanding., Incredible :- Informal channels of communication enjoys less credibility. As the information, (3), spreads through the word of mouth it can not always taken sériously., (4). Damage To The Organisation :- Gossip and rumour are an essential part of grapevine., Grapevine may distort the true picture. All kinds of stories may be spread abbut responsible, people and the image of the organisation may be spoiled. Rumours may cause serious, Distortions:- The chances of distortion of the message are very high as every person hearing, (5), the message tries to add, subtract, mould or colour the message according to his whims and, wishes. As a result the original communication is lost in the maze of different opinions., (6), Obstacle Working :- Such. communication may create obstacles and disrupt the smooth, working of the formal organisation., Gossips :- Spread of grape-vine communication in the form, may have an adverse effect on employee morale., (7), gossips and rumour spreading, (8), Lowering Efficiency :- Indulging by the employees in chit-chats and rumour-mongering can, bring down their efficiency and consequently the organisational effectiveness., (9), Conflict :- There is all possibility of conflict between formal and informal groups which may give, rise to strained industrial relations., (10), Shirkers :- The incompetent and inefficient employees are likely to avoid from their work under, one or the other pretext and indulge in informal communication., An Atmosphere Of Distrust :- The informal communication may give rise to distrust, doubt,, suspense, opposition, quarrels and conflicts and spoil the healthy atmosphere of the, organisation., (11), (12) Reaching To Ugly Form :- Excessive informal communication, if not timely controlled may, take an ugly form and cause huge loss to the organisation., HOW TO MAKE EFFECTIVE USE OF GRAPEVINE :-, Grapevine is quite powerful and influential. It can cause considerable damage and, therefore,, some managers take it very seriously. They try to crush it completely. But grapevine cannot be, eliminated. More you try to crush its flow it erupts with greater force. Instead of trying to curb it,, managers should learn to live with it and make constructive use of it. They should cultivate and feed it for, the benefit of the organisation. The following steps may be taken to make grapevine effective., (1), (2), Keep the employees well informed so that they may not spread rumours., The management should follow the open communication policy to prevent the spreading of, rumours., (3), Identify the leaders of informal groups and win their confidence so as to feel the pulse or, employees., Scanned by CamScanner