TITLE:
A Field Exploration of Informal Workplace Communication
AUTHORS:
Bruce Fortado
KEYWORDS:
Grapevine; Informal Communication; Informal Organization; Rumor; Resistance
JOURNAL NAME:
Sociology Mind,
Vol.1 No.4,
October
17,
2011
ABSTRACT: Two views of informal communication are developed for purposes of comparison. Multiple incidents from two US companies are described based on fieldwork. In both cases, managerial efforts were made to quell gossip. Paradoxically, the versions multiplied at the first site and a gossip spiral occurred at the second. Our inductive analysis reveals the shortcomings of the existing “best practices” and simple theories. Notably, in both cases certain aspects of informal employee organization were more functional than some of the formal practices were. Due to the complex nature of these social situations, great care must be taken in evaluating them and charting a course.