Drivers and Outcomes of Sustainable Innovation in the Business and Management Field: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract Sustainable innovation is a crucial strategic approach to addressing current sustainability challenges. Following the PRISMA guidelines, this study contributes to a comprehensive framework of sustainable innovation, focusing on identifying its drivers and outcomes. Likewise, the conceptual frameworks used and the suggestions and considerations provided by the authors were summarized and analyzed to provide some foundations for future research. The data were retrieved from the Web of Science database. After a selection process, following inclusion/exclusion criteria, a final sample of 30 quantitative articles on sustainable innovation within the Management and Business category published between 2017 and 2023, were analyzed. According to the analysis, the studies focused more on drivers than on outcomes. The findings revealed four main categories of drivers: Technological factors, Organizational capabilities, Managerial approach, and Individual factors. Regarding the outcomes, the findings showed that sustainable innovation contributes to firms’ sustainable and responsible growth, improving the social (enhances job quality, upholds human rights and employee engagement and motivation), environmental (reduced energy consumption and waste emissions, resource optimization), and economic performance (growth and competitiveness) as the main outcomes. In sum, this research offers both theoretical and practical implications for advancing the understanding the drivers and outcomes of sustainable innovation. Moreover, by analyzing diverse conceptual models and analytical perspectives, the study contributes to the building of a more unified theoretical foundation. The study also provides practical implications for organizations aiming to integrate sustainability into their innovation strategies. Additionally, the study highlights methodological gaps and offers guidance for future research, encouraging a more diverse exploration of drivers and outcomes in sustainable innovation.