This paper argues that innovation systems are crucial in determining technological change, and that the emergence and evolution of these systems are closely linked to the process of technological change. Traditional methods of analyzing innovation systems have been insufficient, so the authors propose a new framework focusing on the 'functions of innovation systems'—key processes that contribute to the system's goal of generating and diffusing innovations. These functions are essential for understanding how innovation systems operate and how they influence technological change. The paper also discusses the importance of analyzing the dynamics of innovation systems, which involves mapping the processes that lead to technological change. This approach is contrasted with traditional static analyses that focus on the structure of innovation systems. The authors emphasize the need for a dynamic analysis that considers the interactions between different functions and how they influence each other. They also highlight the importance of considering the social and institutional dimensions of technological change, as well as the role of entrepreneurs and policy in shaping innovation processes. The paper concludes that a better understanding of innovation system functions is essential for guiding technological change and for developing effective policies that support innovation. The authors propose a method for systematically mapping these functions, which involves analyzing the sequence and interaction of events that lead to technological change. This method is illustrated through examples from the field of sustainable technology development. The paper also discusses the importance of identifying and analyzing the interactions between different functions, as well as the role of expectations and legitimacy in shaping technological change. The authors argue that a dynamic analysis of innovation systems is necessary to understand and guide technological change, and that this approach can provide valuable insights for policy makers and researchers. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive and dynamic understanding of innovation systems to better support technological change and innovation.This paper argues that innovation systems are crucial in determining technological change, and that the emergence and evolution of these systems are closely linked to the process of technological change. Traditional methods of analyzing innovation systems have been insufficient, so the authors propose a new framework focusing on the 'functions of innovation systems'—key processes that contribute to the system's goal of generating and diffusing innovations. These functions are essential for understanding how innovation systems operate and how they influence technological change. The paper also discusses the importance of analyzing the dynamics of innovation systems, which involves mapping the processes that lead to technological change. This approach is contrasted with traditional static analyses that focus on the structure of innovation systems. The authors emphasize the need for a dynamic analysis that considers the interactions between different functions and how they influence each other. They also highlight the importance of considering the social and institutional dimensions of technological change, as well as the role of entrepreneurs and policy in shaping innovation processes. The paper concludes that a better understanding of innovation system functions is essential for guiding technological change and for developing effective policies that support innovation. The authors propose a method for systematically mapping these functions, which involves analyzing the sequence and interaction of events that lead to technological change. This method is illustrated through examples from the field of sustainable technology development. The paper also discusses the importance of identifying and analyzing the interactions between different functions, as well as the role of expectations and legitimacy in shaping technological change. The authors argue that a dynamic analysis of innovation systems is necessary to understand and guide technological change, and that this approach can provide valuable insights for policy makers and researchers. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive and dynamic understanding of innovation systems to better support technological change and innovation.