Successful innovation means diffusing new knowledge throughout a value$-$chain. Meaning, successful innovation doesn't just mean filling market gaps, innovation can also create industry gaps by introducing new best practices and altering norms of industry effectiveness. It is because of these potential knock$-$on effects that the final step in the four$-$step innovation process is$...$

$(1$ Point$)*$

imitation

intellectual property right protections.

invention

the same as step $1$: idea generation.