Digitalisation of qualitative marketing and consumer research

In this commentary, I provide a succinct overview of the ongoing digitalisation of qualitative research in marketing and consumer research, reflecting on implications for theoretical advancements and qualitative practice. Key issues arise from the growing use of AI systems, which I argue are not always consistent with qualitative research principles. To address these challenges postphenomenology, the sociology of AI, and human-centred AI are presented and then applied to outline key questions that demand our pressing attention.

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Publication Details

Journal
Marketing Theory
Published
2026-02-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/14705931261430781
Primary Topic
Computational and Text Analysis Methods
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Digitalisation of qualitative marketing and consumer research

Janice Denegri-Knott
Marketing Theory
Computational and Text Analysis Methods
article

Digitalisation of qualitative marketing and consumer research

Janice Denegri-Knott
article en

Abstract

In this commentary, I provide a succinct overview of the ongoing digitalisation of qualitative research in marketing and consumer research, reflecting on implications for theoretical advancements and qualitative practice. Key issues arise from the growing use of AI systems, which I argue are not always consistent with qualitative research principles. To address these challenges postphenomenology, the sociology of AI, and human-centred AI are presented and then applied to outline key questions that demand our pressing attention.

Marketing Theory
Bournemouth University (GB)
Openalex Percentile: Top 60%
Computational and Text Analysis Methods
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