Abstract: The method of QAP is used to analyze the impact of network embeddedness, i.e. relational embeddedness and structural embeddedness, on the partner selection of cooperative technological innovation. Cantner (2006) considered that both the personal relation generated by the mobilization of scientists and the past experience of cooperation have a great impact on the partner selection of cooperative technological innovation. The topic based on the data collected from the firms in Xi'an High-tech Zone are analyzed, and the previous factor is defined as structural embeddedness, namely, the scientists and engineers who are in charge of patents act as three party intermediates, and the latter factor is defined as relational embeddedness, that is, the past experience of cooperation. The result indicates that the impact of relational embeddedness on the partner selection of cooperative technological innovation is not quite obvious. Nevertheless, the structural embeddedness has a greater effect on the partner selection of cooperative technological innovation.

Key words: network embeddedness, firm, cooperative technological innovation, partner selection