"The grapevine is detrimental to effective organizational communication and must be eliminated if the organization is to effectively engage its employees." Do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer

What will be an ideal response?

Answer: Student answers may vary. However, it is a fact that the grapevine, an informal organizational network is part of every organization. In fact, it is an important source of information for the company. This makes it imperative for companies to try to understand its dynamics. Acting as both a filter and a feedback mechanism, it pinpoints those bewildering issues that employees consider important. More importantly, from a managerial point of view, it is possible to analyze what is happening on the grapevine – what information is being passed, how information seems to flow, and what individuals seem to be key information conduits. By staying aware of the grapevine's flow and patterns, managers can identify issues that concern employees, and, in turn, use the grapevine to disseminate important information. Because the grapevine can't be eliminated, managers should "manage" it as an important information network. However, managers can minimize the negative consequences of rumors. They can do so by communicating openly, fully, and honestly with employees, particularly in situations where employees may not like proposed or actual managerial decisions. Studies show that this is likely to be effective in engaging employees.