This work focuses on the evaluation of La 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co 1-x Zn x O 3 (LSCZ, x = 0.00-0.10) ceramics as an air-fireable and economical functional material for thick film resistors. Solid-state reaction experiments and first-principles calculations were conducted to investigate the crystal structure, thermal behaviors, and electrical properties of LSCZ ceramics. The substitution of Zn 2+ modified the bond properties, electron distribution, and band structure, resulting in more serious structural deformation, increasing the bond population of Co-O and weakening the charge transfer of LSCZ. Experimental results showed that the addition of Zn 2+ lowered the densification temperature, activation energy, and crystallite size. As the ratio of Zn 2+ increased, the conductivity and temperature coefficient of resistance showed a downward trend. Impedance variation with frequency and thermal aging tests were also performed. For the x = 0.05 specimen sintered at 1200 • C, values of 95.5% for relative density, 2857 S/cm for conductivity, 1267 ppm/ • C for temperature coefficient of resistance, -0.47% for conductivity change could be achieved.