Purpose: To carry out a systematic literature review on strategic orientation to educational innovation (SOEI), considering methodological and conceptual aspects.Design/methodology: Four macro-processes were implemented: identification (study location), description (information extraction), in-depth analysis (grouping and characterization patterns) and dissemination. The studies were identified through Scopus and Web of Science. The search expressions yielded 63 documents; afterwards, quality control was carried out using seven inclusion/exclusion criteria; the final sample consisted of 19 documents subject to review. Findings:With regard to methodological aspects, qualitative studies stand out, with the educational institution as the unit of analysis, and pedagogical documents as the most frequent source of information. Likewise, the description form proves to be the most commonly used data collection instrument. In terms of the conceptual aspects of the SOEI, findings include strategic purposes, mediating mechanisms and the results of said construct.Originality/value: This article portrays the state of the art of the SOEI, proposes a comprehensive definition of said construct and proposes a new conceptual model of the SOI that takes into account its main strategic purposes, mediating mechanisms and results. Therefore, it is a reference for future empirical works that seek to study innovation in educational institutions and explain their results.