What we known about grounded theory in rural tourism studies?

Abstract

Grounded Theory is a qualitative research method suitable for the extraction and interpretation of organized concepts presented in the form of formal or substantive theory. This method has been employed in various fields. Internationally, researchers in the tourism field have been using Grounded Theory in their studies. Rural tourism has been considered a relevant segment of the economy as it provides diversification of activities on rural properties, generating new sources of income. The aim of this article is to identify the use and application of the Grounded Theory method in research on rural tourism and tourist routes. To achieve this, an integrative review of the literature was conducted, considering articles from the Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Scielo databases from 2017 to 2022. The results show that the majority of studies do not clearly specify the approach used, whether it's classical, Straussian, or constructivist. Regarding the method's characteristics, the studies utilize the method partially, incorporating elements such as coding, constant comparison, memos and diagrams. Discussions on rural tourism are situated within the realm of public-private partnerships, the development of tourist regions, the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, with a perspective on restructuring a tourist destination, and tourist behavior. This integrative review provides information and insights on the topic and offers knowledge about the application of Grounded Theory, sparking interest for other researchers to adopt this method.