Score contribution per author:
α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count
Because of concern that tariff reductions in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (<EM t="s">oecd</EM>) countries will translate into worsening export performance for the least developed countries, the erosion of trade preferences may become a stumbling block for multilateral trade liberalization. An econometric analysis of actual preference use shows that preferences are underused because of administrative burdens--estimated to be equivalent to an average of 4 percent of the value of goods traded. To quantify the maximum scope for preference erosion, the compliance cost estimates are used in a model-based assessment of the impact of full elimination of <EM t="s">oecd</EM> tariffs. Taking into account administrative costs eliminates erosion costs in the aggregate and greatly reduces the losses for countries most affected by preference erosion. Copyright 2006, Oxford University Press.