O marketing de relacionamento como estratégia competitiva para pequenas empresas: um estudo de casos múltiplos no varejo farmacêutico de Goiânia (GO)

Abstract

The study of the strategies of relationship marketing targeted to micro and small companies in the sectors of trade and services can add value as a research area because of their strong roles in the distribution and the economy of the country. Besides not being a new phenomenon, a lack of theoretical studies is observed concerning the approach on the relationship marketing developed in the retail trade, and also it is thought that most micro and small companies in this segment are unaware of the importance of the marketing relationship. The type of trade in which pharmacies and drugstores operate has some peculiarities in relation to other branches of retailing. They, besides being responsible for distribution and supply of medicines and hygiene and cosmetic products for the population, have responsibility on public health. It is important to emphasize that this commercial activity offers the company basically standardized products, that is, there aren’t many possibilities for differentiation. The relationship marketing is, above all, a perspective of how the company can connect to customers and other interested people in order to make an impact on how business is developed and customers are managed. It is also hig hlight that the marketing strategy also has a significant role in creating a competitive advantage. Given this context, in order to achieve the proposed objective, identify how relationship marketing can generate competitive advantage for small retailers in the pharmaceutical industry in the city of Goiânia - Goiás, we opted for an exploratory research, using the qualitative method supported in a study of multiple cases. From the survey of the number of pharmacies registered by the Health Surveillance of Goiânia, eighteen independent drug stores and four drug stores belonging to four pharmacy chains were selected by accessibility. The analysis method employed in the results of this study was the content analysis. Forthe interviews, a semi-structured script was used, based on theoretical referential and relationship marketing models, following this, six categories of analysis were chosen according to there search objectives: strategy, marketing strategy, relationship marketing, trust and commitment, satisfaction, value, loyalty, relationship marketing strategy and services. The results analyzed were divided into three phases: the first regarding the small drugstores. The second, concerning the large drugstores. Finally, a comparison between the two analytical results. It could be observed that given the competitiveness of the market, especially in fragmented sectors, the relationship marketing can represent a competitive and important differential by creating value for customers, expansion of services in a customized way and of the establishment of sustainable relationships between people interested in the exchange process. Therefore, the correct use of tools of relationship marketing is vital to the survival of micro and small companies, since it is an effective alternative to minimize the impact of war on prices determined by big ompanies, adding greater value in the services provided services.