Week 4, Blog #3

A subtle, yet intriguing point about emergent communication networks is made in Chapter 8. The authors assert that “research has shown that informal communication through the grapevine is as a rule more efficient and accurate than the formal dissemination of information” (Eisenberg et al., 2007, p. 259). I find this to be profound. Based on my experiences, I’ve found it convenient to place a stigma on the “rumor mill”, associating it with gossip. From this (admittedly narrow-minded) perspective, one would think that it would be important to quell any rumors or other grapevine-type information in an organization. But I can also see how inhibiting this interaction can slowly damage an organization. I liken this “formal dissemination of information” to business where it is often said that “word of mouth” is more effective than any marketing campaign or catchy television ad.