Piezoelectric activity in cyclohexane-treated polyvinyl chloride films has been found to increase when processed under simultaneously stretched and corona poled (SSCP) conditions. The piezoelectric coefficientd31=7.2±1.1pC/N was obtained in these films under optimum poling conditions. The main contributor to the improved piezoelectricity has been the increased dipolar polarization. Crystallinity and compliance have contributed marginally to the former. Thermally stimulated current (TSC) experiments show that maximum oriented dipole density has been achieved during the SSCP. Dipolar polarization≈10−2 C/m2has been obtained. The TSC and the shrinkage effect involving molecular rotation and/or chain motion are closely related. An application of the extended Mopsik and Broadhurst theory shows that 56&percent; of the measuredd31is due to the dimensional effect and 44&percent; due to the local field effect. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.