This article summarizes a systematic literature review on the diffusion of service innovations, commissioned by the UK Department of Health to support the modernization of the National Health Service. The review aimed to address how innovations in health service delivery and organization can be spread and sustained. It covers both the content (defining and measuring innovation diffusion) and process (systematic and reproducible literature review). The review discusses a parsimonious, evidence-based model for innovation diffusion in health service organizations, identifies knowledge gaps for further research, and presents a robust methodology for systematically reviewing health service policy and management. The model and methodology should be tested in various contexts. The review focused on research studies in healthcare, but also included relevant literature from other sectors. It used a meta-narrative review approach, which involves mapping the historical development of concepts, theories, and methods in different research traditions. The review identified 13 research areas relevant to the diffusion of innovations in health service organizations, including rural sociology, medical sociology, communication studies, marketing, development studies, health promotion, evidence-based medicine, organizational process studies, interorganizational studies, knowledge-based approaches, narrative organizational studies, complexity studies, and organizational psychology. The review identified key attributes of innovations that influence their adoption and assimilation, including relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, observability, and reinvention. It also highlighted the importance of the context in which an innovation is adopted, as well as the role of individual and organizational factors in the adoption process. The review found that the adoption of innovations is a complex process influenced by a variety of factors, including the characteristics of the innovation, the needs and perceptions of the intended adopters, and the organizational context. The review also identified the importance of opinion leaders, champions, and boundary spanners in the diffusion and dissemination of innovations. It emphasized the need for formal dissemination programs that take into account the needs and perspectives of potential adopters, and that use appropriate communication channels and strategies. The review concluded that the diffusion of innovations in service organizations is a complex process that requires a systematic and multidisciplinary approach. The findings of the review have important implications for the implementation and sustainability of innovations in health service organizations.This article summarizes a systematic literature review on the diffusion of service innovations, commissioned by the UK Department of Health to support the modernization of the National Health Service. The review aimed to address how innovations in health service delivery and organization can be spread and sustained. It covers both the content (defining and measuring innovation diffusion) and process (systematic and reproducible literature review). The review discusses a parsimonious, evidence-based model for innovation diffusion in health service organizations, identifies knowledge gaps for further research, and presents a robust methodology for systematically reviewing health service policy and management. The model and methodology should be tested in various contexts. The review focused on research studies in healthcare, but also included relevant literature from other sectors. It used a meta-narrative review approach, which involves mapping the historical development of concepts, theories, and methods in different research traditions. The review identified 13 research areas relevant to the diffusion of innovations in health service organizations, including rural sociology, medical sociology, communication studies, marketing, development studies, health promotion, evidence-based medicine, organizational process studies, interorganizational studies, knowledge-based approaches, narrative organizational studies, complexity studies, and organizational psychology. The review identified key attributes of innovations that influence their adoption and assimilation, including relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, observability, and reinvention. It also highlighted the importance of the context in which an innovation is adopted, as well as the role of individual and organizational factors in the adoption process. The review found that the adoption of innovations is a complex process influenced by a variety of factors, including the characteristics of the innovation, the needs and perceptions of the intended adopters, and the organizational context. The review also identified the importance of opinion leaders, champions, and boundary spanners in the diffusion and dissemination of innovations. It emphasized the need for formal dissemination programs that take into account the needs and perspectives of potential adopters, and that use appropriate communication channels and strategies. The review concluded that the diffusion of innovations in service organizations is a complex process that requires a systematic and multidisciplinary approach. The findings of the review have important implications for the implementation and sustainability of innovations in health service organizations.