Purpose – This study aims to shed some light on the concept of cognitive distance in relation to innovation performance, due to the various uses of the concept in literature, and lack of a clear overview. This study investigated the uses of the different concepts and the different results that are the outcome of innovation studies.Methodology – The study is conducted through a literary review using 28 relevant studies that have been search for in Business Source Premier. The studies have been analyzed using Provan et al (2007) typology of interorganizational network research.Key findings - The results show that the different uses of the concept and difference in results of the researched studies are due to the fact that scholars are researching different subjects on different levels. The differences are due to the different methodological approaches, investigated area and level of which the research is conducted. Significant finding is that most results in the researched studies agree that with cognitive distance, there is a higher chance forinnovation.