Towards mission theory: A systematic literature review of its critiques and avenues for progress (2010–2025)

During the last 15 years, researchers and practitioners alike showed a newfound interest in the potential of ‘mission-oriented’ innovation policy to tackle current societal challenges. In this period, the approach prompted multiple reflections and critiques from orthodox and heterodox scholars alike. However, a structured appraisal of this debate has been missing. Untangling its analytical complexity, this paper presents a systematic literature review of 224 articles and book chapters published between 2010 and 2025 to appraise the state-of-the-art debate within ‘mission theory’. Using the PRISMA Protocol and abductive thematic analysis, the paper identifies 18 themes mapped across two analytical dimensions: positioning (identifying either ‘external’ challenges or ‘internal’ gaps within mission theory); and layering (identifying challenges and gaps based on a ‘foundational’, ‘theoretical’, or ‘empirical’ ground). Building on the findings, the paper reflects on the sociological conditions preventing the progress of mission theory in contemporary research efforts – ultimately calling for greater epistemological reflexivity in the strategies adopted by researchers and practitioners to develop avenues for its further progress.