Final answer:
Middle managers implement the strategic plans of top management and coordinate efforts of lower-level managers. They are not typically responsible for daily supervision or establishing organizational goals, differing from the roles of first-level managers and top executives.
Step-by-step explanation:
When assessing the role of middle managers, it's important to understand their position within a business's organizational structure. Middle managers typically are not referred to as supervisors; that term is more commonly used for first-level or frontline managers who directly oversee nonmanagerial employees. The central responsibilities of middle managers include executing the strategic plans set by top management and coordinating the efforts of lower-level managers. They play a crucial role in implementing organizational policies and may contribute to tactical decision-making that affects the production of goods and services. However, they do not usually engage in daily supervision nor establish long-term organizational goals, as these tasks typically fall to top management or first-level managers, respectively.
Middle managers serve as an important link in the chain of command by translating upper management's objectives into specific strategies that lower-level managers and employees can work on. They are often responsible for the outcomes in their specific business units or departments rather than the performance of all departments, which is again a characteristic of top management. Also, they provide guidance and resources to help lower-level managers meet their objectives. As organizations evolve, the roles of middle managers may adapt to more collaborative models, but their key placeholder within the organizational hierarchy remains intact.