Sliding ferroelectricity in 2D van der Waals materials: Related physics and future opportunities

Near the 100th anniversary of the discovery of ferroelectricity, so-called sliding ferroelectricity has been proposed and confirmed recently in a series of experiments that have stimulated remarkable interest. Such ferroelectricity exists widely and exists only in two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals stacked layers, where the vertical electric polarization is switched by in-plane interlayer sliding. Reciprocally, interlayer sliding and the “ripplocation” domain wall can be driven by an external vertical electric field. The unique combination of intralayer stiffness and interlayer slipperiness of 2D van der Waals layers greatly facilitates such switching while still maintaining environmental and mechanical robustness at ambient conditions. In this perspective, we discuss the progress and future opportunities in this behavior. The origin of such ferroelectricity as well as a general rule for judging its existence are summarized, where the vertical stacking sequence is crucial for its formation. This discovery broadens 2D ferroelectrics from very few material candidates to most of the known 2D materials. Their low switching barriers enable high-speed data writing with low energy cost. Related physics like Moiré ferroelectricity, the ferroelectric nonlinear anomalous Hall effect, and multiferroic coupling are discussed. For 2D valleytronics, nontrivial band topology and superconductivity, their possible couplings with sliding ferroelectricity via certain stacking or Moiré ferroelectricity also deserve interest. We provide critical reviews on the current challenges in this emerging area.

Pengaruh Customer Perceived Value dan Switching Barriers Terhadap Customer Retention

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Customer Perceived Value and Switching Barriers on Customer Retention with the research object of Majalengka University students using IM3 Ooredoo Cards. This research is a type of survey research with descriptive and verification approaches with a sample size of 100 students. The data source was obtained from primary data where data was taken directly from students, namely through filling out a questionnaire with a Likert scale measurement. Data analysis through multiple regression analysis, coefficient of determination, t test and f test. The results showed that Customer Perceived Value has a positive and significant effect on Customer Retention with a contribution rate of 21.71%. Switching Barriers have a positive and significant effect on Customer Retention with a contribution rate of 21.62%. Customer Perceived Value and Switching Barriers have a positive and significant effect on Customer Retention with a contribution rate of 28.8%. For further research, it is important to conduct research related to customer lifetime value with 2-3 research objects and to use more complex analytical tools.

Satisfaction and Loyalty in Local Food Festival: Do Switching Barriers Matter?

In food tourism context, attracting customers and provision of satisfaction is of necessity. In accord with the call for empirical evidence within the extant literature, this study examines switching barriers and its role as moderator on the relationship between satisfaction and customer loyalty, at a food festival in Delhi, India. Switching barriers can be a vital factor for attracting more tourists into organized festivals, if implied adequately and maintained on a controlled manner. Creating switching barriers can be an effective approach for obtaining long-term visitors from marketing and tourism aspects. A questionnaire was designed specifically using related measures based on the literature. Various regression models were applied to estimate switching barriers’ effects and to further analyze our hypotheses. Interaction plot exhibited suppressing effect of switching barriers on the relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. The results of this study found that the role of switching barriers is not merely statistically significant, but requires critical attention from organizers. JEL Classification: M3, M30, M31, M37, M39

The effect of service quality on behavioural intention: the mediating role of student satisfaction and switching barriers in private universities

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to explore the relationship between perception of service quality, student satisfaction, switching barriers on behavioural intentions among private higher education institutions (HEIs) with self-accreditation status in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachA total of 388 valid questionnaires were collected via a self-administered questionnaire from the undergraduate students of private HEIs with self-accreditation status in Malaysia. PLS-SEM has been employed for hypotheses testing.FindingsThe results show that student perceived service quality is positively influence student satisfaction and student behavioural intentions, particularly the positive word-of-mouth (WOM). The relationship of student perceived service quality and student behavioural intentions is fully mediated by student satisfaction. However, there is no mediating effect found for the switching barriers on the relationship between student satisfaction and behavioural intentions.Research limitations/implicationsThis study's findings are only generalizable to the private HEI with self-accreditation status in Malaysia. The paper contributes to the body of knowledge in the areas of service quality, satisfaction, switching barriers and behavioural intentions. These findings provide valuable insight to the private universities management and policymakers to improve existing policies and practices in order to formulate effective strategies to attract potential new students and retain the existing students through the delivery of high-quality services.Originality/valueThis study's findings have reconfirmed that the causal relationship of perceived service quality-satisfaction-behavioural intentions model. Switching barriers has treated as the mediator which received less attention in the context of private higher education sector. Thus, this study broadens the exiting body of knowledge and advances the understanding of how switching barriers play a crucial role by influencing students' behavioural intention, particular WOM.

Purely one-dimensional ferroelectricity and antiferroelectricity from van der Waals niobium oxide trihalides

Intrinsic one-dimensional (1D) ferroelectric materials are rarely reported but are highly sought to break the size limit of nanostructured conventional ferroelectrics. Herein, we report a class of inborn 1D ferroelectric nanowires, namely 1D NbOX3 (X = Cl, Br, and I), that can be directly obtained from experimentally realized van der Waals crystals. In addition to the sizable spontaneous polarization, 1D NbOX3 exhibits low ferroelectric switching barriers, small coercive electric fields, and high critical temperature, governed by the hybridization of the Nb empty d orbitals and the O p orbitals (d0 rule). Moreover, the double-channel structure of 1D NbOX3 also enables the emergence of 1D antiferroelectric metastable states. Our findings not only propose a class of 1D ferroelectric materials toward the development of miniaturized and high-density electronic devices, but also pave an avenue of obtaining intrinsic 1D ferroelectrics from van der Waals crystals.

The Effect of Switching Barriers, Hedonic Value on Customer Loyalty with Customer Satisfaction as Mediator

This study aims to obtain a structural relationship model between customer loyalty, customer satisfaction, switching barriers and hedonic value in Telkom Jakarta. The variables in this study were the exogenous variables consisting of switching barriers and hedonic values, the mediator variable was customer satisfaction and the endogenous variable was customer loyalty. As a hypothesis in this study is a theoretical model of the effect of switching barriers, hedonic value on customer loyalty with customer satisfaction mediator match (fit) with empirical data on Indihome customers in Jakarta. The research subjects were 400 Indihome customers in Jakarta. The data collection technique was carried out using the customer loyalty scale from Bobalca, et al., The customer satisfaction scale from Grigoroudis and Siskos, the switching barrier scale from Jones, et al., The hedonic value scale constructed by the author. The data analysis technique was carried out using SEM (Structural Equation Model) which processing was carried out using the Lisrel (Linear Structural Relationship) program. The results showed that the effect of switching barriers, hedonic value on customer loyalty with customer satisfaction mediator matched (fit) with empirical data, with NFI value 0.91, NNFI 0.90, CFI 0.92.