Following the evolutionary and neoshumpeterian theoretical framework, this research studies how the appropriation strategy of firms is formed in different industrial sector and what factors explain the use of the mechanisms that firms use to protect their innovations. The analysis is based on evidence from Argentine manufacturing firms surveyed by the National Survey of Employment Dynamics and Innovation (ENDEI) for 2010-2012. The results of the statistical analysis allow to identify three clusters at the sectoral level with differentiated characteristics in terms of their innovation activities and business conformation. The cluster of high innovative activity shows a greater incidence of the use of secrecy and patents, while the cluster of low innovative activity presents a greater use of complementary assets and first mover. The econometric analysis (Probit models) shows different effects of the factors considered (type of effort and innovative results, capabilities, linkages, structural factors) on the mechanism used, showing that the appropriation strategy is an emerging of innovation process and differs according to the sectoral cluster considered. The type of innovative effort affects only the appropriation strategy of the high and low innovative activity clusters; while the structural factors of firms explain only the appropriation strategy of sectors of high and medium innovative activity
