Management

India's Assam silk products are well known and popular across the globe but have been facing stiff competition from numerous competitors. In this regard, there is a need to analyse the sustainable competitive advantages of Assam silk products to devise defensive strategies to sustain the age-old industry. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the sustainable competitive advantages of the Assam silk products from buyers' and sellers' perspectives. Data were collected from 200 sellers and buyers through a standardised structured questionnaire; namely, the Buyers' and Sellers' Agreement Scale (BSAS). We employed the one-sample and independent-sample t-tests for the data estimation. The findings indicated that the Assam silk products had different levels of sustainable competitive advantages that mainly included quality, geographical indications, designs, durability, customer loyalty, customer base, timely delivery, product differentiation, product uniqueness, and innovation. The findings were new because this was the first study that identified the sustainable competitive advantages of India's Assam silk industry, which occupies a significant position in the world. The study will benefit India's Assam silk industry in devising strategies to face the challenges in sustaining and growing its business for a long time.

Purpose
With the advent of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need to analyse the scenario of panic buying (PB) behaviour of the customers which was evident in the first wave. This paper aims to examine the PB scenario as well as the moderating effect of past buying experience (PBE) on PB in the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on the theories of stimulus–organism–response model and the competitive arousal model. Based on these theories, this paper investigates how panic situation created by external stimuli such as perceived scarcity (PS), perceived risk (PR), news in media (NM) and social learning affect the perceived arousal (PA) among people which in turn influence the PB behaviour of customers. Data were collected from 253 customers from different parts of India. Structural equation modelling is used to analyse the moderating effect of PBE on the PB in the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings
The results indicate that the PS, PR and NM continue to be strong predictors of a buyer for PA. However, the PB is not reinforced by the moderation effect of PBE.

Research limitations/implications
This paper investigates the consumers’ PB behaviours in the wake of third wave of COVID-19 pandemic which add to the existing literature of COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, this study also examines how previous buying experience can moderate the PB behaviour of the customers in subsequent phases of COVID-19 pandemic. This supports the potential effectiveness of self-regulation as an intervention strategy for reducing PB behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Practical implications
This study emphasises the impact of external stimuli like PS, PR and media coverage on PB behaviour, marketers and policymakers should manage to avoid triggers. Although PBE may not moderate PB during a pandemic, it can play a significant role in future buying behaviour. Anticipating potential triggers and designing effective marketing strategies that cater to customers' needs can help manage PB behaviour during disasters or pandemics. In addition, promoting conscious consumption awareness and self-regulation practices among customers can help manage PB behaviour, benefit the environment and society and make customers more responsible buyers.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study examines the PB behaviour of customers during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic for the first time. This study also investigates the moderating effect of PBE on the PB behaviour of customers during a pandemic which is new and significant that extends the literature on PB behaviour during a pandemic.

Background/Objectives: Kalaichar border Haat is once-a-week (Wednesday) makeshift bazaar/market and has been set up on the zero line border pillars of 1072 of international border between Indo-Bangladesh in the SouthWest Garo Hills, Meghalaya, India. The study attempts to project a current trend of commodities in terms of volume and value (export and import) in the Kalaichar border Haat. Methods/Statistical Analysis: Two years' data on volume and value of commodities traded at Kalaichar border Haat for the years 2016 and 2017 were availed from Land Customs Office, Mahendraganj. Analysis was made applying monthly percentage growth rate method for two years. Border Haat at Kalaichar was inaugurated and started functioning since July 23, 2011. However, limited operations with no systematic record of commodity transactions by the Customs Office up to the year 2015 restricted the data analyses only for two years' for 2016 and 2017.Analyses of data for two consecutive years' on monthly transaction volume along with types of commodities being traded in the two years of 2016 and 2017 were done. The information collected for the study comprised both primary and secondary data. The primary component of the data was obtained from vendor and vendees as a participant observant during the Haat days. Secondary information has been collected from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, South West Garo Hills, Meghalaya and Customs Office (LCS), Mahendraganj. Percentage growth rate method was used to analyse the degree of change in volume of commodities. Findings: From the present study we find that the quantity of the commodities being transacted in the border Haat is directly proportional to the quantity of supply of such commodities in the hands of the vendor of either side of India and Bangladesh. The volume of export or import is directly determined by the quantity of supply of commodities. More the quantity of commodities being supplied, the volume of export or import of commodities stands positive and vice-versa. The major items being imported from Bangladesh to India through Kalaichar border Haat are melamine and plastic products and clothes. The major items exported from India are the seasonal agricultural produce. Applications: Most of the studies concentrated on the functioning of LCSs. However, our study focuses upon the nature and types of commodities being traded in an international Haat. Here, the transactions undertaken through import-export of commodities in Kalaichar border Haat were reflected upon. The major items being imported from Bangladesh to India through Kalaichar border Haat are melamine and plastic products and garments. On the other hand, the major items exported from India are the seasonal agricultural produce. It is worth noting that as per the MoU signed between the two countries, only locally produced agriculture commodities are supposed to be traded. But, among the traded commodities, cumin seeds account for the highest volume in the export list from Indian side, which is however not a locally produced item but still being traded in large volume. This phenomenon remains an interesting point for deliberation.

Banks are considered to be lifeline of an economy and improper functioning of it leads to malfunctioning of the economy at large. This paper is intended to have an outlook of the performance of Scheduled Commercial Banks during pre and post lockdown phase using indicators like deposit of SCBs, Bank Credit of SCBs and Credit-to-Deposit ratio of SCBs in midst of Covid-19 pandemic scenario. As the economy has suffered a lot due to COVID-19, it is evident to measure the performance of banks as it is an important element of the financial system. The main idea behind this study is to examine the position of SCBs in terms of the prime indicators as countywide lockdown has impacted the revenue generation of banking sector to a great extent. The findings revealed that the deposit of SCBs has increased during post lockdown compared to lockdown period which is a sign of revival of the economy but on the other hand the bank credit has decreased in the post-lockdown phase. It is observed that the mean Credit-to-Deposit Ratio (CDR) in the lockdown period was more compared to the post-lockdown period.
KEYWORDS: SCBs, CDRs, Covid-19, pre and post lock down, economy, India