Table 3

Average importance (scale: 1 = not at all important; 7 = very important) and counterfactual change in importance (scale: −3 = large decrease in importance; 0 = no change; +3 = large increase in importance) of various means of protecting the competitive advantage of new or improved technologies among startups

How important are the following means of protecting the competitive advantage of new or improved technologies for your company?Factual importance (std. dev.)Counterfactual changeSignificance (difference from 0)
Patents4.68 (2.18)
Secrecy (including trade secrets)5.33 (1.82)1.390.000
Creation of market lead times by other means than patents and secrecy5.20 (1.43)1.200.000
Keeping qualified personnel in the firm6.08 (1.53)0.8310.000
Cost reductions in the production of new or improved products and services4.80 (1.76)0.2460.077
Marketing and after sales service (including branding and trademarks)5.15 (1.71)0.7540.000

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