If Sematech were to continue seeking methods to maintain the company's cost-leadership position that would be costly to duplicate,which of the following is most likely to be a basis of cost leadership that may be costly to duplicate?

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Securing differential access to low-cost productive inputs would be the most likely basis of cost leadership that may be costly to duplicate. This is because obtaining access to exclusive low-cost inputs, such as raw materials or labor, could be difficult for competitors to replicate, giving Sematech a unique cost advantage. Establishing economies of scale and exploiting learning-curve economies are common cost leadership strategies that are easier for competitors to imitate. Purchasing new technological hardware may also be costly to duplicate, but it may not necessarily result in cost leadership if competitors can also obtain the same hardware.

If Sematech Were to Continue Seeking Methods to Maintain the Company's