Studies on the interaction between company and consumer during the process of purchase involve complex situations that are too difficult to be understood by quantitative research. As a result, qualitative approach has gained a growing space in recent marketing research. A good example of it is ethnography, an approach that has been used in the studies about consumer behaviour. Hence, the objective of this study is to discuss ethnography along with another qualitative approach, grounded theory, as methodologies of research in relationship marketing in the consumer market (RMC) capable of grasping the internal dynamics of this phenomenon. The discussion is on how the use of these approaches can contribute for the scientific advancement of the RMC area and the conclusion is that its use is adequate as these research approaches, by focusing on subjective aspects, have the potential of revelling why consumers and companies involve themselves in exchange relationships.
Ethnography; Grounded theory; Marketing of relationship; Consumer; Methodology of research
