Which of the following describes the informal, unstructured network in which communication flows among employees?

The “grapevine” is the informal, spontaneous and unstructured communication network that coexists with formal channels. Messages travel laterally, upward and diagonally among employees outside official lines of authority, making it the classic description of the information flow specified.

A. Social networking – Refers to online platforms; may be formal or external to the firm.

C. Groupthink – A decision-making flaw, not a communication network.

D. Instant messaging – A medium or tool, not an informal network per se.

1. Robbins, S. P., Judge, T. A., & Breward, K. (2022). Organizational Behavior (9th Can. ed.). Pearson, Ch. 8, pp. 262-263.

2. Davis, K. (1973). The grapevine: Its significance and control. Personnel Journal, 52(4), 269-272 (p. 269).

3. Proctor, R., & Doukakis, I. (2003). Change management: The role of internal communication. Corporate Communications, 8(4), 214-231 (p. 217).