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This paper explores the multitasking scheduling problem via alternate periods, which is common in manufacturing and service industries. The shift pattern comprises regular shifts interspersed with breaks, allowing job switching. We focus on two alternate periods consisting of odd periods and even periods. Each job is not only processed completely within odd periods or completely within even periods, but job switching is also allowed between alternate periods with additional overhead. For this problem, we propose two job switching models. The first model is alternate periods multitasking scheduling with switching time, where a fixed switching time is incurred whenever a job is switched from one period to its adjacent period. The second model is alternate periods multitasking scheduling with diverse speeds, where an urgent switching cost is produced if a job is processed through the alternate periods with different speeds. For the two models, we study three scheduling objectives including minimising the total completion time, minimising the maximum lateness, and minimising the number of tardy jobs, respectively. For each of the problems under consideration, we investigate the structural properties of the optimal schedule and develop the corresponding pseudo-polynomial time dynamic programming algorithm. Furthermore, we give examples to effectively illustrate the proposed algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate whether the presence of major corporate customers affects managerial bad news withholding behaviors. Using data from a large sample of U.S. firms, we find that firms with a more concentrated customer base have a greater tendency to withhold bad news. Furthermore, we show an amplified effect of customer concentration on bad news withholding for firms that rely more on major customers and an attenuated effect for firms whose major customers would face higher costs to switch suppliers. We also show that the effect of customer concentration on bad news withholding is weaker for firms with stronger auditor monitoring. Overall, we find that a concentrated customer base imposes performance pressure on managers, which induces them to withhold bad news. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeMethodology/approachFindingsResearch implicationsResearch implicationsOriginality/valueAs a source for enterprises to realize enhanced efficiency and attractiveness of management, the existing literature emphasizes the significance of adopting technology-driven products in innovation. Therefore, suppliers of technology-driven products are positioned to explore an increasingly receptive audience among the purchasers. However, the switching costs serve as the most important barriers the suppliers encounter that negatively affect the entry of the B2B market. To entry the market, the suppliers of technology-driven products should acquire the knowledge related to the switching costs while realizing the strategic aspects of how to mitigate the switching costs for purchasers. From the perspective of B2B relationships, although, there is a need to investigate the switching costs and the strategy that can assist in eradicating the negative influences of switching costs. Additionally, with the quantitative research techniques being adopted in the studies on the switching costs in B2B contexts, the qualitative research approaches have been ignored in the extant literature. Meanwhile, few studies only have used qualitative methods to analyze the switching costs. Furthermore, how technology-driven products suppliers mitigate switching costs has not been fully answered in the present studies. Hence, this paper attempts to employ qualitative analysis to address the following objectives: 1) exploring the switching costs that the purchasers considered to be critical when assuming switching to the suppliers of technology-driven products; 2) proposing strategic solutions that are useable for suppliers of technology-driven product for mitigating switching costs of purchasers in their market entry process. Consequently, the key research questions in this study are as follows: 1) when the pioneer suppliers are switched to the suppliers of technology-driven products, what are the switching costs for purchasers? 2) How do the suppliers of technology-driven products mitigate purchasers’ switching costs to enter the B2B market? Thus, these two questions can be answered and certain meaningful inferences can be derived by carrying out qualitative analysis.In this study, the grounded theory methodology (GTM) is employed as the research method to achieve the research goals. Using semi-structured in-depth interviews, this paper gathered the research data from participants. In 2023, based on either online or face-to-face interviews, 25 interviews are carried out with top managers in purchasers’ enterprises or suppliers of technology-driven products. Subsequently, the interviews were voice-recorded and transcribed verbatim, resulting in a total of 324,639 words. Further, NVivo software was used to analyze the data. The data analysis consists of three different phases: open coding process, axial coding process, and selective coding process.In order to address the two proposed research questions, the results of in-depth interviews were synthesized into 10 different themes: the purchasers’ switching costs in switching behavior and the strategic solutions that are useable for suppliers of technology-driven product for mitigating purchasers’ switching costs in the market entry process. Specifically, the five switching costs include setup costs, learning costs, perceived risks, inertia to the status quo and data security concerns. In addition, the five crucial strategic aspects of what suppliers can do to manage the switching costs to enter the market, include presenting product knowledge, demonstrating capabilities, evoking anxiety, offering privatization options, and managing relationships. Each theme carries different subthemes that can express the aspects of themes.Potential marginal contributions of this study are as follows. This study makes both practical and theoretical contributions. A theoretical contribution is made by offering an in-depth understanding of the switching costs that arise when purchasers assume switching to technology-driven products in B2B settings. Moreover, this paper has also put forward five different solutions that can assist the technology-driven suppliers to enter the market. Thus, the study implications add to the body of current knowledge on B2B switching behavior as well as switching costs. Besides, this paper also offers valuable information on the barriers to market entry theory. As a result, the factors that affect the switching decisions during the switching phase are explained in this study, which might further the theoretical research on market entry tactics in B2B settings.From the perspective of practical application, the study findings explore the switching costs that purchasers take into account while offering valuable insights into how the suppliers should respond to mitigate the switching costs for purchasers. In particular, this paper offers practical implications that can be used by the suppliers of technology-driven products to attract or retrieve the potential purchasers.This paper emphasizes conceptualizing and operationalizing the purchasers’ switching costs ranging from the initial consideration of switching. Likewise, this article puts forward different strategies that can be used by suppliers of technology-driven products to manage the switching costs in the B2B context. As a consequence, five different types of switching costs that affect the switching decision-making process of purchasers as well as five potential strategies for suppliers are outlined in this study. The frameworks of 10 different factors enable suppliers to eliminate the impact of switching costs while making entry into the B2B market. Hence, this article contributes to the extant studies on switching costs, technology-driven products, and strategies associated with B2B market entry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Simultaneous hand/foot lift exhibits different EMG timing depending on control mode. • We occasionally signaled a change from the default predictive to a reactive mode. • When signaled 250 ms prior to initiation, control mode switching did not occur. • When signaled 500 ms prior to initiation, switching caused large reaction time costs. • Task switching between control modes incurs greater costs than programming de novo. When performing synchronous hand and foot movements, the way the limbs are synchronized differs depending on the mode of control. When performed in a reaction time (RT) paradigm (reactive control), EMG onsets become synchronized resulting in asynchronous displacement onset. However, when the same movement is performed as an anticipation-timing task (predictive control), displacement onset is synchronized by unconsciously introducing a small delay between EMG onsets. The present experiment investigated the reprogramming costs associated with switching between predictive and reaction control modes. Participants (N = 12, 6F) were asked to simultaneously lift their right heel and right hand in an anticipation-timing task when a rotating clock hand reached a specified target. On some trials, an auditory stimulus was presented either 250 ms or 500 ms before the target and participants were instructed to execute the synchronous movement as quickly as possible after the signal (i.e., switch to reactive mode). Results showed that when the auditory stimulus was delivered 250 ms before the target, participants were unable to switch to a reactive control mode but did switch when the auditory stimulus was presented 500 ms before the target. As expected, the RT on switch trials was substantially longer (∼230 ms) than a simple RT control condition but was also significantly longer (∼130 ms) than a choice RT control condition. These results indicate that switching between control modes for a task involving the same musculature incurs reprogramming costs that are even greater than the time required to program the response de novo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have identified a class of two-dimensional ferroelastic monolayers, denoted as InXY (where X = S, Se; Y = Cl, Br, I), through first-principles calculations. The dynamic, thermal, and mechanical stabilities of these InXY monolayers are validated by phonon dispersion spectra, AIMD calculations, and elastic constants, respectively. These monolayers exhibit semiconducting behavior with bandgaps ranging from 1.94 to 2.85 eV and possess excellent ferroelasticity with strong ferroelastic signals and moderate ferroelastic switching barriers. Notably, the band edge positions of InSBr and InSI monolayers are observed to stride the water redox potentials at pH = 0, indicating their potential as photocatalysts for water splitting in acidic environments. We also explored the effects of biaxial strain on the band edge alignments and photocatalytic performance of these monolayers. Moreover, the InXY monolayers exhibit excellent anisotropic optical absorption across the visible to ultraviolet regions, along with high anisotropic carrier transport. The coupling of ferroelastic and anisotropic properties in these monolayers offers promising opportunities for designing controllable electronic devices, thereby expanding their potential applications in multifunctional materials. Our findings reveal that the InXY monolayers are promising candidates for efficient photocatalytic water splitting and controllable optoelectronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the association between insomnia symptoms and cognitive flexibility among undergraduates, along with its potential neural mechanisms. A total of 102 participants were divided into insomnia (n = 55) and control (n = 47) groups based on sleep status. Cognitive flexibility was assessed using the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI) and the Number-Letter Task (N-L task). EEG data were recorded during the N-L task. The insomnia group exhibited lower CFI scores and higher switch costs in reaction time and accuracy compared to the control group. ERP analysis showed differences in P2, N2, and P3 component amplitudes between the two groups, with reduced N2 amplitude in the insomnia group under repeat trials. Time-frequency analysis revealed larger theta band event related synchronization in the frontal region and smaller theta band ERS in the parietal region under switch trials in the control group; the alpha band event-related desynchronization in the parietal region under repeat trials was significantly smaller in the control group compared to switch trials. Compared to undergraduates with normal sleep, those with insomnia symptoms exhibited reduced cognitive flexibility, which may be associated with some alterations in brain electrophysiological activities. • Insomnia symptoms was associated with reduced cognitive flexibility. • Neural mechanism for above difference may due to frontal and parietal dysfunctions. • We integrated multiple measures to assess the differences in cognitive flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Performing two tasks simultaneously involves the coordination of their processing. This task coordination is particularly required in dual‐task situations with varying task orders. When task order switches between subsequent trials, task order coordination leads to task order switch costs in comparison with order repetitions. However, it is open, whether task order coordination is exclusively controlled by the relation of the task orders of the current and the previous trials, or whether additional conditions such as task order before the previous trial leads to a behavioral and neural adjustment of task order coordination. To answer this question, we reanalyzed the data of two previously published experiments with order‐cued dual‐task paradigms. We did so with regard to whether task order switch costs and the EEG component order‐switch positivity in the current dual‐task trial would be modulated by order switches vs. repetitions in the previous trial (Trial N‐1). In Experiment 1, we found a modulation of the task order switch costs in RTs and response reversals; these costs were reduced after an order switch compared with order repetitions in Trial N‐1. In Experiment 2, there were no effects on the task order switch costs in the behavioral data. Nonetheless, we found the order‐switch positivity to be strongly modulated by the order transition of the previous trial in both experiments. The order‐switch positivity was substantially reduced if the previous trial was an order switch (compared to an order repetition) by itself. This implies that order coordination of dual tasks is adjusted in a gradual way depending on trial's history. The present study investigates the neurophysiological effects of task‐order coordination and its meta‐control adjustment in dual‐task situations. The EEG component order‐switch positivity was modulated by task‐order coordination and by coordination adjustment. This implies that order coordination of dual tasks is adjusted in a gradual way depending on the trial's history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superparaelectrics are considered promising candidate materials for achieving superior energy storage capabilities. However, due to the complicated local structural design, simultaneously achieving high recoverable energy density (Wrec) and energy storage efficiency (η) under high electric fields remains a challenge in bulk superparaelectrics. Here, we propose utilizing entropy engineering to disrupt long-range ferroic orders into local polymorphic distortion disorder with multiple BO6 tilt types and diverse heterogeneous polarization configurations. This strategy reduces the switching barriers, thereby facilitating the emergence of superparaelectric behaviors with ideal polarization forms. Furthermore, it enables high polarization response, negligible remnant polarization, delayed polarization saturation, and enhanced breakdown electric fields (Eb) in high-entropy superparaelectrics. Consequently, an extraordinary Wrec of 15.48 J cm–3 and an ultrahigh η of 90.02% are achieved at a high Eb of 710 kV cm–1, surpassing the comprehensive energy storage performance of previously reported bulk superparaelectrics. This work demonstrates that entropy engineering is a viable strategy for designing high-performance superparaelectrics. High-entropy superparaelectrics with locally diverse ferroic distortion simultaneously achieve ultrahigh energy density and ultrahigh energy storage efficiency under large electric fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minimization of power losses in distribution network (DN) is one of the vast areas of research, where researchers are performing different techniques and methods to reduce the losses. In recent times, network reconfiguration (Nr) has gained more significance in DN to reduce the losses due to its ease of implementation. Most of the work carried on Nr has usually assumed only single hour load model, which didn't vary with time. But in practical DN, load varies during the day. The tie line switching configuration obtained with single hour load model (which doesn't vary with time) is implemented in practical DN, it induces high power losses, reduces the reliability, loadability and voltage profile of the network. Most of the researchers have used single hour load model with Nr and not considered variation in load with Nr. In this study, variation in load is considered with twenty-four hour load. An investigation has been performed to find the losses obtained with variation in load for twenty-four hours. However, changing the topological of the network without disturbing the radiality is a complex non differentiable optimization problem. Nr implemented with twenty-four hour load has more complex computation as compared with single hour load. A quantum-inspired evolutionary algorithm, i.e., adaptive quantum-inspired evolutionary algorithm (AQiEA), is used to solve this complex optimization problem. In this study, two test cases are created in which the first case, uses four different scenarios to find the effect of power losses incurred in the system after opening the switches on single hour load and twenty-four hour load model. An effort has been made for optimal tie line switching configuration for twenty-four hour load instead of single hour load. In addition, an attempt has been made to maximize the economic benefits in DN with Nr on twenty-four hour load. Switching operation cost is considered to study the effect of frequent Nr on the life span of switches. Second case is used to test the efficacy of the proposed algorithm as compared with other techniques. The performance of AQiEA is tested on two IEEE standard test bus systems. Wilcoxon signed-rank test is also used to demonstrate the effectiveness of AQiEA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advent of digital economy, more particularly platform markets has increased the role of 'data' massively. Data is the central fuel around which business strategies are made coupled with associated algorithms to increase the conversion rates. It is true that since today's markets are data-driven in nature, dominant undertakings having access to data may end up prohibiting competitors to scale up their networks by exhibiting some explicit or implicit exclusionary conduct against them. Moreover, platform economies exhibit certain distinct characteristics such as network effects, feedback loops, economies of scope and scale and switching costs which in reality end up facilitating ostracization of small or new players. Various antitrust cases against big tech giants such as Google, Microsoft etc. in the recent past have brought forth the reality of such exclusionary conduct. Considering the fact that data is not only needed but is essential for today's digital businesses, the question arises if sharing of data with market players in certain situations must be ensured. From the lens of antitrust, the central issue is whether data should be considered as an 'essential facility' and under what circumstances. Essential facilities doctrine is inspired by the firms' duty to share which initially was applicable for infrastructural facilities such as phone lines and bridges, but considering that firms may refuse to share data impeding innovation in today's era, the author argues that the said doctrine, with some qualifications, must be revisited to grant open access to data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We estimate an infinite-horizon dynamic oligopoly model of audit firm tenure and misstatements and evaluate a policy counterfactual involving mandatory audit firm rotation. Longer tenure lowers the cost of producing audits, increasing audit quality and reducing audit fees. Thus clients are less likely to misstate and more likely to keep the incumbent audit firm as tenure increases. By reducing the value of retaining audit firms, mandatory rotation leads to large increases in auditor switches, even before the term limit, implying increases in the switching costs borne by clients. Misstatement rates increase because audit firms endogenously lower audit quality and newly hired audit firms have lower quality. Overall, the model suggests caution when evaluating the costs and benefits of government oversight over the audit profession. This paper was accepted by Suraj Srinivasan, accounting. Funding: The authors thank the financial support from the Olin Busiiness School and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4944. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a popular application, social question-and-answer (Q&A) platforms have similar functions and it is relatively easy for users to switch from a platform to another one. This may lead to users' defection. From a push–pull-mooring perspective, this work examined the determinants of user switching between social Q&A platforms. We found that both push factors (dissatisfaction and fatigue) and pull factors (content quality and user experience) positively affect switching intention, which leads to switching behavior. The mooring factor (switching cost) has a negative moderation effect on switching intention. These results suggest that social Q&A platforms can improve content quality and users' experience, and reduce their dissatisfaction and fatigue, thus preventing users' switching and retaining them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article develops a model showing how information reporters influence information load among decision makers and generate supplier-induced information demand (SID). The intra-corporate information-providing process is an expert market with information asymmetry. I show that information overload occurs as an SID and is the result of informational overconsumption deliberately caused by the supplying reporter. My analysis highlights that the information overload depends on the specificity of information. It also shows that the decision maker may face a hold-up situation in light of switching costs. The more specific the information needed, the higher the threat of information overload. The strategic content of information tempts reporting managers to overload the decision maker for the purpose of increasing their reporting transfer price and to discourage the decision maker from getting the information from another reporting manager. Although the decision maker knows a part of the information demand, information overload involves the cost of using unnecessary inputs, information overload occurs as an SID of information, even if other competing reporting managers exist. My analysis demonstrates that information overload can occur due to uncertainty and opportunism of both the decision maker and reporting managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research on task switching has shown that the reconfiguration of stimulus–response mappings across trials is associated with behavioral switch costs. Here, we investigated the effects of switching representations of target‐defining features in visual search (attentional templates). Participants searched for one of two color‐defined target objects that changed predictably every two trials (Experiment 1) or every four trials (Experiment 2). Substantial costs were observed for search performance on target switch relative to target repeat trials. Preparatory target template activation processes were tracked by measuring N2pc components (indicative of attentional capture) to a rapid series of task‐irrelevant color singleton probes that appeared during the interval between search displays, and either matched the currently relevant or the other target color. N2pcs to relevant target color probes emerged from 800 ms before search display onset on target repetition trials, reflecting the activation of a corresponding color template. Crucially, probe N2pcs only emerged immediately before target onset on target switch trials, indicating that preparatory template activation was strongly delayed. In contrast, irrelevant color singleton probes did not trigger N2pcs on either repeat or switch trials, suggesting the absence of any target template inertia across trials. These results show that switching the identity of search targets delays preparatory target template activation and impairs subsequent attentional guidance processes. They suggest that performance costs on switch versus repeat trials are associated with differences in the time course of task preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite anti-inflammatory reliever (AIR) therapy now being the preferred treatment choice across all severities of asthma, many patients are still "attached" to their short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA) reliever, believing this to be the best way to control their asthma. To encourage individuals to switch to AIR, it is important to first identify the beliefs that patients hold about AIR. Objective: The aim of this paper was to describe the initial development and validation of the BMQ-AIR©, a six-item screening tool which assesses and identifies patients' treatment beliefs about switching to AIR therapy. Methods: Statements were identified from the primary literature that assessed patients' perceptions of AIR therapy and adapted from the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ). Internal reliability was examined using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Construct validity was evaluated by comparing scores on BMQ-AIR© with a validated measure of medication adherence and SABA beliefs. Results: A total of 446 participants completed the online survey. The BMQ-AIR© contained two subscales with three items each. Both the Necessity and Concerns subscales demonstrated good internal reliability, with Cronbach's a-values of 0.70 and 0.69, respectively. Both subscales were negatively correlated with selfreport inhaled corticosteroid adherence (Necessity: r = -0.28, p < 0.0001; Concerns: r = -0.28, p < 0.0001) and positively correlated with SRQ scores (Necessity: r = 0.51, p < 0.0001; Concerns: r = 0.44, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Preliminary findings indicate that BMQ-AIR© demonstrates satisfactory reliability and validity. BMQ-AIR© is a promising tool that may help tailor interventions to an individual's specific beliefs and barriers to switching to better support individuals in stopping SABA and initiating AIR therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

III-nitrides and related alloys are widely used for optoelectronics and as acoustic resonators. Ferroelectric wurtzite nitrides are of particular interest because of their potential for direct integration with Si and wide bandgap semiconductors and unique polarization switching characteristics; such interest has taken off since the first report of ferroelectric Al1−xScxN alloys. However, the coercive fields needed to switch polarization are on the order of MV/cm, which are 1–2 orders of magnitude larger than oxide perovskite ferroelectrics. Atomic-scale point defects are known to impact the dielectric properties, including breakdown fields and leakage currents, as well as ferroelectric switching. However, very little is known about the native defects and impurities in Al1−xScxN and their effect on the dielectric and ferroelectric properties. In this study, we use first-principles calculations to determine the formation energetics of native defects and unintentional oxygen incorporation and their effects on the polarization switching barriers in Al1−xScxN alloys. We find that nitrogen vacancies are the dominant native defects, and unintentional oxygen incorporation on the nitrogen site is present in high concentrations. They introduce multiple mid-gap states that can lead to premature dielectric breakdown and increased temperature-activated leakage currents in ferroelectrics. We also find that nitrogen vacancy and substitutional oxygen reduce the switching barrier in Al1−xScxN at low Sc compositions. The effect is minimal or even negative (increases barrier) at higher Sc compositions. Unintentional defects are generally considered to adversely affect ferroelectric properties, but our findings reveal that controlled introduction of point defects by tuning synthesis conditions can instead benefit polarization switching in ferroelectric Al1−xScxN at certain compositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relationship marketing together with perceived switching costs are seen as a distinguished strategic approach to customer loyalty. Relationship marketing practices enable the firms to comprehend and satisfy the customer needs, while the perceived switching costs raise the bar for rivals to grab the gullible customers and helps the firms to ensure the loyalty of low satisfied customers. In view of this, present study aims to investigate the impact of relationship marketing practices on customer loyalty with a mediating role of perceived switching costs. The study utilized 736 complete questionnaires collected from the bank customers, by using one-stage cluster sampling, to validate the measurement and structural models through partial least-square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Results revealed that there is significant positive effect of relationship marketing practices on customer loyalty. Furthermore, perceived switching costs have significant positive effect on customer loyalty. Bootstrapping approach to mediation analysis revealed that perceived switching costs, in unison, partially mediate the relationship between relationship marketing practices and customer loyalty. The study suggests that banks should invest more in relationship marketing practices to strengthen the perceived switching costs to keep the customers loyal to the organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study how switching costs affect the subgame perfect equilibria in repeated games. We show that (i) the Folk Theorem holds whenever the players are patient enough; (ii) the set of equilibrium payoffs is obtained by considering the payoffs of a simple one-shot auxiliary game; and (iii) the switching costs have a negative impact on a player in the infinitely undiscounted repeated game but can be beneficial for him in a finitely repeated game or in a discounted game. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In product development, rarely a product is developed from scratch. In many cases, a product is developed from a prior design or several prior designs. The associated development cost is actually a switching cost (or some called reuse cost), representing the cost incurred from developing the product from prior designs. So far, no proven works in switching cost estimation were found for products developed using MBSE (Model‐Based Systems Engineering). Today, MBSE is being widely adopted. It is important to develop switching cost estimation methods that leverage models and support model‐based development needs. This paper, per the best of our knowledge, is among the firsts that developed switching cost methods for MBSE. Our work identifies different use case scenarios/phases in an MBSE development cycle, and provides corresponding switching cost estimation methods, laying down the fundamental methodology for the model‐based switching cost estimations. Using SysML, an example use case of derivative airplane electrical power system is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of our methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the behaviour of retail investors while making an investment decision and how it gets affected by the behavioural biases of the investors using a moderated-mediation framework. Design/methodology/approach: A mixed method approach has been used to fulfil the objectives of the study. In the first study, a qualitative analysis of the interviews with 15 retail investors was conducted. As part of the quantitative study, a total of 201 responses from Indian retail investors were collected using systematic sampling and analysed using structural equation modelling and Process Macro. Findings: The results indicate that anchoring bias, availability bias, herding bias, switching cost, sunk cost, regret avoidance and perceived threat have a significant effect on retail investors' investing intention. The attitude of the investors towards investing decisions mediates the effects of behavioural bias and the status quo on investment intention. The results of the moderated-mediation analysis indicate that mediating effect of attitude varied at the low and high-risk aversion of investors. Practical implications: The findings of this study will help regulators and retail investors to understand the critical behavioural biases which affect the investors' investing intention. Originality/value: The paper contributes to the literature on investors' behaviour, status quo bias theory (SQB) and behavioural bias. This study uniquely proposes a moderated-mediation framework to understand the effects of biases on retail investors' investment intention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advent of the internet era, wearable electronic devices and flexible electronic technology are rapidly emerging, and new resistive random access memory (RRAM) based on flexible substrates have thus gained extensive attention. Here, the flexible Bi 0·95 Er 0·05 FeO 3 /ZnO/La 0·66 Sr 0·34 MnO 3 (BEFO/ZnO/LSMO) heterostructure is prepared on Mica substrate using the sol-gel method. The high resistance state (HRS) to low resistance state (LRS) ratio consistently surpasses 102 under the flat and the 15 mm bending radius state. There is no significant change in the resistive switching (RS) behavior after 30 I–V curve cycles and 103 write/erase operations on the BEFO/ZnO/LSMO heterostructure, which reflects excellent stability. In addition, the device still works properly at 175 °C for dynamic conversion between HRS and LRS. The observed RS behavior in the BEFO/ZnO/LSMO heterostructure is attributed to ion migration and alterations in the potential barrier height at the interfaces. These results suggest that the BEFO/ZnO/LSMO heterostructure based on a flexible Mica substrate plays a crucial role in the development of next-generation portable and flexible electronic systems due to its excellent flexibility and thermal stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we explore the causes and performance outcomes of switching costs in the context of new product development (NPD) from both the supplier and customer perspectives, and discuss the role that switching costs play as moderators and mediators in the relationship between social capital and NPD performance. Based on data from 214 Chinese manufacturers, we employ the structural equation model to test our conceptual model and hypotheses. The results indicate that relationship quality and customer involvement positively and negatively affect switching costs, respectively, and that switching costs negatively affect NPD performance. Switching costs mediate and moderate the relationship between social capital and NPD performance. Furthermore, switching costs significantly and positively moderate the relationship between relationship quality and NPD performance. On the other hand, switching costs insignificantly and negatively moderate the relationship between customer involvement and NPD performance. The theoretical and managerial implications of the findings are discussed.

In a situation where competition in the OTT service market intensifies, this study analyzed the factors affecting the switching behavior of OTT service users using the push-pull-mooring (PPM) model. This study presented push factors (perceived risk and low satisfaction), pull factors (attractiveness of alternatives and content richness), and mooring factors (switching cost and brand familiarity) based on the main PPM factors affecting the switching behavior of existing online services. The results showed that low satisfaction, perceived risk, the attractiveness of alternatives, and content richness had positive effects on switching intention. Additionally, switching costs and brand familiarity had a negative effect on switching intention, and these effects were moderated by habit. This study adds to the literature by broadly explaining users' behavior toward OTT services using the PPM model. Furthermore, our findings will benefit corporate managers providing OTT services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antiferroelectric (AFE) ZrO2-based devices are anticipated to exhibit superior endurance properties in comparison to their ferroelectric (FE) counterparts. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms of AFE devices remain elusive. In this study, guided by the dynamic evolution of oxygen vacancies (Vo), we reveal three kinds of fatigue in AFE HfxZr1−xO2 (HZO) during uni-directional cycling. The first mechanism is related to the interfacial Vo charge trapping, which accelerates the switching from the P↓↑ state to the P↓↓ state, leading to extrinsic fatigue, and is demonstrated by electrical stress measurements. The other two mechanisms are Vo-related AFE to FE phase transition (PT) and Vo localization inside the HZO films, which are supported by the first-principles calculations. The highest polarization switching barrier occurs when Vo is localized at the tetra-coordinated oxygen sites inside HZO films. This means that tetra-coordinated Vo accumulation leads to less polarization switching, resulting in AFE to FE PT and Vo localization induced fatigue, i.e., intrinsic fatigue. This work reveals the dynamic evolution of Vo during cycling and its impact on AFE properties, paving the way for developing more durable AFE ZrO2-based devices and contributing to the emergence of diverse recovery methods in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antiferroelectric (AFE) ZrO2-based devices are anticipated to exhibit superior endurance properties in comparison to their ferroelectric (FE) counterparts. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms of AFE devices remain elusive. In this study, guided by the dynamic evolution of oxygen vacancies (Vo), we reveal three kinds of fatigue in AFE HfxZr1−xO2 (HZO) during uni-directional cycling. The first mechanism is related to the interfacial Vo charge trapping, which accelerates the switching from the P↓↑ state to the P↓↓ state, leading to extrinsic fatigue, and is demonstrated by electrical stress measurements. The other two mechanisms are Vo-related AFE to FE phase transition (PT) and Vo localization inside the HZO films, which are supported by the first-principles calculations. The highest polarization switching barrier occurs when Vo is localized at the tetra-coordinated oxygen sites inside HZO films. This means that tetra-coordinated Vo accumulation leads to less polarization switching, resulting in AFE to FE PT and Vo localization induced fatigue, i.e., intrinsic fatigue. This work reveals the dynamic evolution of Vo during cycling and its impact on AFE properties, paving the way for developing more durable AFE ZrO2-based devices and contributing to the emergence of diverse recovery methods in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Letter investigates the effect of barrier regulation by changing compliance current (CC) on resistance switching (RS) modes. The device exhibits bipolar resistive switching (BRS) with low CCs (1, 3, 7, and 12 mA) and complementary resistive switching (CRS) without CC. By analyzing the current conduction mechanism, the variation law of Schottky barrier height under different CCs is studied, and the different RS modes are explained by the degree of nitrogen enrichment in the non-inert electrode. This paper further explores the correlation between BRS and CRS. Endurance tests in different modes show that the device is expected to achieve a multi-mode RS design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in context influence the way we form and structure memories. Yet, little is known about how qualitatively different types of context switches shape memory organization. The current experiments characterize how different features of context change influence the structure and organization of free recall. Participants completed a context switching paradigm in which we manipulated the rate of switches and prior experience with the contexts participants were switching between (repeated vs. novel). We measured free-recall performance and determined the extent to which participants organized items by the order in which they were encoded or the type of context with which they were originally presented. Across two experiments, we found and replicated that rapidly switching to novel, but not repeated contexts, impaired memory recall performance and biased memory towards a greater reliance on temporal information. Critically, we observed that these differences in performance may be due to distinctions in how participants organize their recalls when rapidly switching contexts. Results indicated that participants were less likely to only cluster their responses by the same context when the contexts were repeating at a high rate, as compared to when the contexts were novel. Overall, our findings support a model in which contextual familiarity rescues the costs associated with rapidly switching to new tasks or contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social Security Administrator (Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial, BPJS) for Health is a national health insurance. The variable "Loyalty" needs to be researched for the continuity of programs of the National Health Insurance (Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional, JKN) through participants' satisfaction. With the occurrence of COVID-19, BPJS Kesehatan made innovation by opening a non-face-to-face channel service via WhatsApp known as Pandawa. The presence of COVID-19 has reduced the use of healthcare services in the JKN program, so there is a need for a study of the effect of switching costs on the loyalty of JKN participants. This research was conducted by distributing questionnaires via Google form to JKN participants who accessed Pandawa in October 2023, totaling 148 respondents. The novelty of this research is that innovation in membership administration services carried out by the Pandawa is still rarely studied. Smart PLS is used as a test tool with Pandawa service quality results which influence satisfaction and loyalty. It shows that good service quality will increase satisfaction and loyalty. Switching costs impact satisfaction but do not influence loyalty. JKN participants who switch to other healthcare service financing are not related to loyalty but to satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the factors that build resistance and attitude towards AI voice assistants (AIVA). A theoretical model is proposed using the dual-factor framework by integrating status quo bias factors (sunk cost, regret avoidance, inertia, perceived value, switching costs, and perceived threat) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM; perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness) variables. The study model investigates the relationship between the status quo factors and resistance towards adoption of AIVA, and the relationship between TAM factors and attitudes towards AIVA. A sample of four hundred and twenty was analysed using structural equation modeling to investigate the proposed hypotheses. The results indicate an insignificant relationship between inertia and resistance to AIVA. Perceived value was found to have a negative but significant relationship with resistance to AIVA. Further, the study also found that inertia significantly differs across gender (male/female) and age groupings. The study's framework and results are posited as adding value to the extant literature and practice, directly related to status quo bias theory, dual-factor model and TAM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By applying the PLS-SEM method to survey the data of 350 samples in Indonesia, this paper develops a framework based on three potential elements: push effect (partnership and cooperation, rules and regulations, value practices), pull effect (government support, market sophistication, environmental awareness), and mooring effect (technological support and switching costs) about the transition of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) towards green practices. The study reveals that these factors exhibit variations in terms of statistical significance. The findings indicate that an increase in the push effect and pull effect significantly influences the switching behaviour of MSME owners/managers. In contrast, concerning the mooring effect, each element demonstrates varying levels of direct influence on the transition towards green practices in MSMEs, with some impacts proving to be statistically significant and others not. Overall, these findings shed light on the intricate dynamics of MSMEs environmental responsibility, offering valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SYNOPSIS: We examine the cost and consequences of switching auditors. Specifically, we consider several client costs (audit fees, going-concern opinions, and internal control opinions) in the last year of an audit engagement ("terminal year"). We find that outgoing auditors are more likely to charge higher audit fees, issue more going-concern opinions, and issue more adverse internal control opinions during the terminal years of their audits. These findings suggest that outgoing auditors gain greater bargaining power, are more likely to charge for additional hours of audit work, and are less likely to yield to client pressures. Overall, our results suggest that companies face real economic costs from the outgoing auditor in addition to the start-up costs of the incoming auditor. Data Availability: Data are publicly available from sources identified in the text. JEL Classifications: G31; G32; G33; M21. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strategies of incumbent firms have received considerable attention in marketing and across business disciplines, but findings regarding performance (dis)advantages and innovativeness are mixed. Prior studies on supply-side sources (factors internal to the firm) of incumbent inertia disadvantages are more prevalent than those on demand-side factors, which relate to a firm's customers and may explain potential incumbent advantages. We introduce an integrated demand-side framework to incumbent inertia, recognizing how the supply- and demand-side factors interrelate through learning mechanisms. On the one hand, incumbent firms learn and develop various routines and assets that influence their product strategies, typically reflecting inertia and incremental innovation. At the same time, customers learn about products in the market, forming preferences that reflect switching costs and network externalities (demand-side factors). Although an incumbent can gain advantages from demand-side effects, this could accelerate the onset of supply-side disadvantages. We present a set of research propositions that specify critical effects, and examine implications for incumbent strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aims to analyze the influence factors of small-medium enterprises in their switching intention from banking loans to P2P lending loans from the perspective of the push–pull mooring model. The self-administered questionnaire is used to collect the data. Hence, PLS-SEM is used to analyze the collected data. The result showed that the push factors, regret, and dissatisfaction directly influence the switching intention, while the pull factors, perceived usefulness, and alternative attractiveness are the main factors of SMEs to switch to P2P lending. Even though, the perceived ease of use failed to influence the switching intention. Hence, from the mooring factors, consumer innovativeness influences the switching intention. Although, the switching cost as mooring factors moderates the dissatisfaction and alternative attractiveness. Further discussion is available in this paper. Number of studies have been conducted relating to the switching intention of P2P lending in Indonesia. However, the study concerning SMEs switching intention in P2P lending is rare. The paper contributes to the gap of literature on the switching of SMEs from bank to P2P lending. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2D) multiferroic materials are currently in high demand due to their significant potential for applications in the field of high-density data storage devices. However, due to the different requirements for generating ferroelectricity and magnetism, 2D multiferroic materials are rare. In this study, we propose that applying strain can induce magnetism in 2D ferroelectric materials with special electronic structures, thereby creating 2D multiferroics. Taking 2D ZnIn2S4 as an example, it shows robust ferroelectricity with an appropriate switching barrier (79.3 meV), and the out-of-plane ferroelectric polarization is 0.0322 C/m2. Applying biaxial tensile strain can change the energy of the flatband near the Fermi level, ultimately resulting in self-doping phenomena and leading to Stoner-type itinerant ferromagnetism. The reversal of ferroelectric polarization in ZnIn2S4 bilayer and ZnIn2S4–In2Se3 heterostructure can manipulate the magnetic moment of the system, exhibiting significant magnetoelectric coupling phenomena. Our findings provide a pathway for designing 2D ferromagnetic and multiferroic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2D) multiferroic materials are currently in high demand due to their significant potential for applications in the field of high-density data storage devices. However, due to the different requirements for generating ferroelectricity and magnetism, 2D multiferroic materials are rare. In this study, we propose that applying strain can induce magnetism in 2D ferroelectric materials with special electronic structures, thereby creating 2D multiferroics. Taking 2D ZnIn2S4 as an example, it shows robust ferroelectricity with an appropriate switching barrier (79.3 meV), and the out-of-plane ferroelectric polarization is 0.0322 C/m2. Applying biaxial tensile strain can change the energy of the flatband near the Fermi level, ultimately resulting in self-doping phenomena and leading to Stoner-type itinerant ferromagnetism. The reversal of ferroelectric polarization in ZnIn2S4 bilayer and ZnIn2S4–In2Se3 heterostructure can manipulate the magnetic moment of the system, exhibiting significant magnetoelectric coupling phenomena. Our findings provide a pathway for designing 2D ferromagnetic and multiferroic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Regular cannabis is known to impact higher-order cognitive processes such as attention, but far less is known regarding cognitive flexibility, a component of executive function. Moreover, whether such changes are related to aberrations in the neural oscillatory dynamics serving flexibility remains poorly understood. Aims: Quantify the neural oscillatory dynamics serving cognitive flexibility by having participants complete a task-switching paradigm during magnetoencephalography (MEG). Probe whole-brain maps to identify alterations in chronic cannabis users relative to nonusers and determine how these alterations relate to the degree of cannabis use involvement. Methods: In all, 25 chronic cannabis users and 30 demographically matched nonuser controls completed neuropsychological testing, an interview regarding their substance use, a urinalysis, and a task switch paradigm during MEG. Time-frequency windows of interest were identified using a data-driven statistical approach and these were imaged using a beamformer. Whole-brain neural switch cost maps were computed by subtracting the oscillatory maps of the no-switch condition from the switch condition per participant. These were examined for group differences. Results: Cannabis users had weaker theta switch cost responses in the dorsolateral and dorsomedial prefrontal cortices, while nonusers showed the typical pattern of greater recruitment during switch relative to no switch trials. In addition, theta activity in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex was significantly correlated with cannabis use involvement. Conclusions: Cannabis users exhibited altered theta switch cost activity compared to nonusers in prefrontal cortical regions, which are critical for cognitive flexibility. This activity scaled with cannabis use involvement, indicating a link between cannabis use and aberrant oscillatory activity underlying cognitive flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In multi-agent systems, the Dynamic Distributed Constraint Optimisation Problem (D-DCOP) framework is pivotal, allowing for the decomposition of global objectives into agent constraints. Proactive agent behaviour is crucial in such systems, enabling agents to anticipate future changes and adapt accordingly. Existing approaches, like Proactive Dynamic DCOP (PD-DCOP) algorithms, often necessitate a predefined environment model. We address the problem of enabling proactive agent behaviour in D-DCOPs where the dynamics model of the environment is unknown. Specifically, we propose an approach where agents learn local autoregressive models from observations, predicting future states to inform decision-making. To achieve this, we present a temporal experience-sharing message-passing algorithm that leverages dynamic agent connections and a distance metric to collate training data. Our approach outperformed baseline methods in a search-and-extinguish task using the RoboCup Rescue Simulator, achieving better total building damage. The experimental results align with prior work on the significance of decision-switching costs and demonstrate improved performance when the switching cost is combined with a learned model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to favourable economic and environmental concerns, reduced power losses, and technological advancements in data science, large-scale renewable energy sources (RESs) are being inserted into smart microgrids (MGs). Generally, these resources are inserted at the distribution level and feed consumers locally with better reliability. The planning and stable operation of the power networks are complicated at numerous levels as a result of large-scale renewable integration, as the infeed from renewable sources like wind and solar is highly intermittent and uncertain, significantly affecting the resilient, intelligent, and optimal operation of the power system. The creation of scenarios is an essential step in the planning and stable operation of renewable-rich power systems. Scenarios can be generated based on seasonal events to mitigate growing complexity and intermittency. In this paper, time-series solar data is used for forecasting solar irradiance using long-short-term memory (LSTM). Besides, a cost-based optimisation model has been developed by using stochastic programming to obtain both the optimal sizing and optimal switching sequence of distributed units as well as the optimal number of required units. The stochastic nature of solar and load demand is considered in beta (β ) distribution. The objective function formulated covers different costs, like capital, operational, and switching costs associated with required units. The running cost incorporated with the capital cost gives us a broader design for planning the MG, thus making it both planning and operational problem. The entire proposed MG planning problem has been developed in a Python and MATLAB ® environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engineering multilayer networks that efficiently connect sets of points in space is a crucial task in all practical applications that concern the transport of people or the delivery of goods. Unfortunately, our current theoretical understanding of the shape of such optimal transport networks is quite limited. Not much is known about how the topology of the optimal network changes as a function of its size, the relative efficiency of its layers, and the cost of switching between layers. Here, we show that optimal networks undergo sharp transitions from symmetric to asymmetric shapes, indicating that it is sometimes better to avoid serving a whole area to save on switching costs. Also, we analyze the real transportation networks of the cities of Atlanta, Boston, and Toronto using our theoretical framework and find that they are farther away from their optimal shapes as traffic congestion increases. Finding an optimal shape for transport networks, represented as multilayer structures, is a challenging problem. The authors propose analytical and computational frameworks to analyze sharp transitions from symmetric to asymmetric shapes in optimal networks, that can be applied for planning and development of improved multimodal transportation systems within a city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies a dynamic principal–agent setting in which the principal needs to dynamically schedule an agent to work or be suspended. When the agent is directed to work and exert effort, the arrival rate of a Poisson process is increased, which increases the principal's payoff. Suspension, on the other hand, serves as a threat to the agent by delaying future payments. A key feature of our setting is a switching cost whenever the suspension stops and the work starts again. We formulate the problem as an optimal control model with switching and fully characterize the optimal control policies/contract structures under different parameter settings. Our analysis shows that, when the switching cost is not too high, the optimal contract demonstrates a generalized control-band structure. The length of each suspension episode, on the other hand, is fixed. Overall, the optimal contract is easy to describe, compute, and implement. This paper was accepted by Ilia Tsetlin, behavioral economics and decision analysis. Funding: The work of P. Cao is financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 72122019 and 71771202]. The work of F. Tian is financially supported by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC) funding (RGC Early Career Scheme 2022/23) [Grant 27500822]. Supplemental Material: The e-companion and data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4845. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the influence of social media celebrity endorsements on consumers' impulsive buying behavior in social commerce by extending the signaling theory and commitment‐trust theory. A self‐managed online questionnaire is designed to collect the data from 295 valid respondents and analyze it using a multi‐analytical hybrid structural equation modeling‐artificial neural network (ANN). The results reveal that relational switching alternatives and relationship benefits directly contribute to relationship commitment to social media celebrity, whereas shared value and parasocial interaction positively lead to social commerce trust; both relationship commitment and social commerce trust induce consumers' impulsive buying behavior in social commerce. From a theoretical perspective, this study enriches the components of signaling theory and commitment‐trust theory, expanding their applicability and transferability in social commerce. Moreover, this study consolidates the theoretical integration, indicating that signaling theory can be considered as an antecedent of commitment‐trust theory for triggering consumers' impulsive buying. Methodologically, adopting second‐order constructs benefits, this study captures the multidimensionality and complexity of social commerce trust and impulsive buying from the partial least squares‐ANN perspectives. In practice, this research provides valuable insights into how to better invite celebrity endorsements and build long‐term relationships with customers, as well as offers insights into countries where social commerce is lacking today. That being said, this study is constrained by its cross‐sectional research design, conducted in Malaysia. Future research endeavors should consider launching longitudinal, multicountry studies to broaden the applicability of the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study empirically investigates the revenue return to differential seat pricing in the Korean movie theater market and how it is affected by competition. In March 2016, one of three major multiplex chains in the market divided the seats in most of its screening auditoria into prime (high-quality), standard (medium-quality), and economy (low-quality) zones, and started charging different prices for each seating zone. For the analysis, we construct a unique dataset that contains ticket prices and the number of tickets that are sold at the show level. We find that differential seat pricing increases revenue on average by 10.6%, but does not affect the number of tickets sold. Based on the results, we suggest that in a situation in which a large number of seats remain unsold, the pricing scheme involves encouraging the sale of the prime zone seats by increasing their price only slightly. By measuring the degree of competition as the number of showings of the same movie that are played by neighboring theaters at a similar time, we also find that competition has a small negative effect on the revenue gain from differential seat pricing. This finding may be explained by switching costs that are due to moviegoers' being away from preferred theater locations and showtimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the factors that impact the trust of microenterprises in online selling platforms and cargo carriers and examine the consequences of a lack of trust. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopts a qualitative exploratory approach and uses grounded theory to generate insights based on interviews with 27 microenterprise owners selling internationally on an online selling platform. Findings: The results show that a lack of competence, an absence of an integrated claim system and a lack of transparency are the main factors affecting sellers' trust in online selling platforms. The relationship between the sellers' intention to continue to use the online selling platform and their trust in the platform was found to be moderated by switching costs. Research limitations/implications: This study is limited in that the results were mainly based on the sellers' perspectives although the phenomenon of interest involves various actors. To mitigate this limitation and cross-check the data, the customer reviews and some of the sellers' account statistics were also analyzed. Practical implications: This study introduces the sellers' perspectives on the dynamics of supply chain management in international micro trade. These dynamics provide a guideline for how to build and manage an online selling platform targeting microenterprises. Originality/value: Unlike previous studies, this study examines online transaction behaviors from the standpoint of sellers, not buyers. Moreover, it is the first study examining the damaged or lost shipments within the context of online transactions in international micro trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the role of three customer equity drivers on customer repurchase intent in business-to-business (B2B) markets. It also explores the interconnected nature of equity drivers, specifically, the effects of brand equity and value equity on relationship equity. Further, it investigates how perceived switching costs moderates the interrelationships between customer equity drivers. The authors explore the interrelationships between the customer equity drivers in a B2B context involving commodity products in a developing market. Design/methodology/approach: Data collection was done from a pool of 184 institutional customers of a lubricant brand in a developing market. The sample had representations of buyer organizations across sectors, namely, automobile, cement, metal, fertilizer, railway, defence and mining, etc. The final data were subjected to partial least squares-based structural equation modeling to test the hypothesized model. Findings: The study found a direct effect of brand equity, and value equity on relationship equity and an indirect effect on repurchase intent, namely, relationship equity. Perceived switching cost was found to moderate the interaction between brand equity and relationship equity as well as between value equity and relationship equity. The direct effect of relationship equity on repurchase intent was also significant. Practical implications: The study implies that B2B firms should ground their marketing program on these customer equity drivers, especially when dealing with commodity products. The absence of any of these drivers would be detrimental in customer retention. The study also establishes the relevance of switching cost(s) and its impact on the underlying dynamics between the different equity drivers in the context of commodity products. The customer equity drivers along with switching costs, if managed well, may become switching barriers for customers and eventually would ensure recurring revenue through repeat purchases. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is one of the first studies that focuses on the disaggregated effect of customer equity on customer outcomes in the B2B context. Furthermore, this study investigates how perceived switching costs moderates the interrelationships between customer equity drivers in the industrial sales context in an emerging market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Executive functions (EFs) have great impact on language control indexed by language switch costs during production-based language switching. Yet, how they influence language control during comprehension-based language switching between embodied first language (L1, Chinese) emotional words and less embodied second language (L2, English) emotional words is less understood. Employing an emotional priming paradigm, this study recruited Chinese-English bilinguals as participants, and used emotional faces and words as experimental materials to explore the effects of cool (i.e., inhibitory control ability, IC ability) and hot (i.e., emotional valence and emotional congruency) EFs on language switch costs (i.e., language control) during Chinese-English emotional word comprehension. The results showed larger language switch costs in the emotional congruent condition relative to emotional conflict condition, larger Chinese switch costs than English switch costs, and larger language switch costs for negative over positive emotional words in the emotional congruent condition. In addition, high-IC participants showed larger English switch costs for negative emotional words compared with low-IC participants. These results indicated that hot EF and the embodiment of language had an impact on both language control and the modulation of cool EF on language control, and that the components of hot EFs interacted and jointly affected language control during language switching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In adapting to the demands of this modernized landscape, a conventional human-operated forklift within an industrial or warehouse setting falls short. However, the adoption of autonomous forklifts remains a distant prospect for many companies, primarily due to the formidable implementation and switching costs associated with artificial intelligence and complex control mechanisms. To bridge this gap, we present the development of a teleoperated forklift utilizing mecanum wheels for enhanced maneuverability. A key contribution of this work lies in the design of a novel synchronization method for the precise position control of the pallet carriers. This method surpasses the conventional independent and master–slave approaches, demonstrably achieving superior tracking and synchronization performance. Also, a model-based velocity control algorithm was designed for the mecanum wheels to facilitate the mobility of the system. The forklift was successfully able to carry a maximum load of 300 kg. For the comparison of the tracking and synchronization performance, the independent and master–slave methods were also applied to the system. The proposed method showed better performance compared to other structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study proposed a comprehensive model based on Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT) and switching costs theory, which theorized and verified how the dimensions of innovation attributes and switching costs of the smart home affect the switching intention of potential smart home users and captured both positive and negative factors that affect switching intention. To empirically test the switching intention of potential smart home users, this study conducted an online survey on 407 potential smart home users and analyzed the data using Partial least squares (PLS). The results showed that relative advantage and compatibility have significant negative effects on procedural switching costs, but complexity has no statistical significance on procedural switching costs. Complexity has a significant positive impact on financial switching costs, while compatibility has a significant negative impact on financial switching costs. Both the innovation attributes and the switching costs perceived by potential users have significant positive or negative effects on the switching intention, which validated our hypotheses. In addition, in terms of the results from testing of mediation effects, except for procedural switching costs, which do not have a mediating role between complexity and switching intention, all others play a significant mediating role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumers range from specialists that feed on few resources to generalists that feed on many. Generalism has the clear advantage of having more resources to exploit, but the costs that limit generalism are less clear. We explore two understudied costs of generalism in a generalist amoeba predator, Dictyostelium discoideum, feeding on naturally co-occurring bacterial prey. Both involve costs of combining prey that are suitable on their own. First, amoebas exhibit a reduction in growth rate when they switched to one species of prey bacteria from another compared to controls that experience only the second prey. The effect was consistent across all six tested species of bacteria. These switching costs typically disappear within a day, indicating adjustment to new prey bacteria. This suggests that these costs are physiological. Second, amoebas usually grow more slowly on mixtures of prey bacteria compared to the expectation based on their growth on single prey. There were clear mixing costs in three of the six tested prey mixtures, and none showed significant mixing benefits. These results support the idea that, although amoebas can consume a variety of prey, they must use partially different methods and thus must pay costs to handle multiple prey, either sequentially or simultaneously [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]