Critical Elements and Theoretical Logic of Horizontal Transfer Payment System for Eco-Compensation: A Study Based on Grounded Theory

In recent years, how to coordinate the sustainable production and life of human society with the protection of ecological environment has become particularly important. This paper reviewed and analyzed the existing Chinese and English literature on Horizontal transfer payment system for eco-compensation (or hereinafter referred to as ECITPS), based on which this paper applied Grounded Theory to study the critical elements and theoretical logic of the System, exploring its formation process and logical procedure, and constructing a theoretical model of this System. It was found that the theoretical model of eco-compensation Horizontal transfer payment system is mainly divided into three stages, namely, the early, middle and late stages. Moreover, the logic of the ECITPS as a whole was the validation of PDCA Deming Cycle Theory, while the previous research on Horizontal transfer payment for eco-compensation was more focused on the specific object, with a lack of the overall macro understand of the theoretical framework for the system. Therefore, this paper assisted to promote the improvement of the ECITPS from the macro theoretical framework, and provided a reference idea for the development of the transfer payment field in the future period.