Abstract This study seeks to identify and define the determinants of the sustainable innovation system (SIS). To achieve the objective, a qualitative approach was used through a systematic literature review using data from Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus. Two search equations were used to extract the data. In the first search equation, 69 documents were analyzed, and for the second, 102 documents were analyzed. Multiple definitions were found regarding SIS, it is worth highlighting in the findings the evolutionary process that these systems follow. As a contribution to the study, 79 determinants of an SIS are presented derived from the classic functions of an innovation system.