The German welfare state is predominantly built on social insurance systems. Broadly, Germans see their economy as a social market economy\u2014that is, one that combines a capitalist mode of production with the belief that society should protect all of its members from economic and social need. This has a strong influence on the environment for social innovation throughout the country.<\/em><\/p>\n The definition of social innovation continues to evolve in Germany. Norbert Kunz, a German social entrepreneur, defined a social innovation as a systematic solution to a social problem wherein the success factor is the social change\u2014financial sustainability is desired, profit however is not the main aim. Howaldt and Schwarz (2010) take a less integrated view, instead contrasting social innovations to technical innovations. Social innovations, they state, \u2018can be not only be analyzed, but also engendered and (co-)shaped; they are oriented toward social practice and require reflection on the social relationship structure\u2019.<\/em><\/p>\n