Page 4 - Lesson Note 8

Informal channels are used by the managers to transmit information so as to
know the reactions of his/her subordinates. An intelligent manager should make

use of positive aspects of informal channels and minimize negative aspects of this
channel of communication.

Grapevine Network

Grapevine communication may follow different types of network. Some of these

networks are shown in figure below.

(i) Single Standard: In this form of communication, a person says something to his

confidant who, in turn, passes on the information to a person of his confidant and
in this way a chain starts moving. This creates a sort of chain which has been
shown in diagram (i) The signs of cross shown at the top and bottom of the

diagram show that the chain can move up and down both ways up to any extent.

(ii) Gossip Chain: In this form of communication, a person communicates
something to a number of persons during the course of a gossip. A particular

person in an organization knows something specific that happens to be
interesting. He tells this thing to all the members of his group and some other

people also. Normally such information is not related to the job. For example, two
employees of the organization are going in for a love marriage and some