The service sector, including health, education, and tourism, is the fastest-growing business area globally. Innovation research has mainly focused on goods, leaving service innovation less explored. This paper analyzes service innovation processes and impacts, using the Journal of Innovation & Knowledge (JIK) as a case study. Innovation is crucial for societal progress, economic growth, and solving complex problems, specifically in the context of service innovation. Using a bibliometric approach, we analyze JIK’s articles to understand service innovation. Key research areas include differences between product and service innovation, knowledge management’s role, and digital transformation’s impact. Findings highlight service innovation’s unique behaviors and determinants. Geographic analysis shows strong contributions from China. Bibliometric tools provide insights into JIK’s influence and interconnectedness. Despite measurement challenges, JIK addresses complexities, emphasizing nuanced indicators and methodologies. This study underscores service innovation’s importance in competitive advantage and organizational performance, offering a detailed overview of service innovation research evolution and suggesting future research directions.